Higher Education & Digital Innovation

Rachel N. Schnepper, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Academic & Emerging Technologies

Wesleyan University

Helping higher education lead boldly into the age of AI.

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Institutional AI Strategy & Governance
Developing ethical, institution-wide frameworks for responsible AI adoption.
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Emerging Technology Leadership
Advising senior leaders on leveraging technology to enhance performance and reduce costs.
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Staff Empowerment & AI Literacy
Building institution-wide capacity through upskilling, training, and community-driven learning.
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Teaching, Research & Admin Innovation
Integrating future-ready technology solutions aligned with evolving pedagogical goals.

About

Scholar, leader,
digital innovator.

With over 20 years in higher education, I lead institution-wide strategic initiatives that harness emerging technologies — including AI — to advance teaching, research, and administrative innovation aligned with university priorities.

At Wesleyan, I work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional partners to leverage emerging technologies that enhance institutional performance, foster innovation, and reduce operational costs. Together, we developed Wesleyan's first institutional AI strategy — a living framework for ethical governance, staff upskilling, and AI literacy that continues to evolve alongside the field. I also lead academic technology strategy and integration for major capital building projects, ensuring innovative, future-ready solutions aligned with evolving pedagogical goals.

Previously, I served as Associate Director of Academic Technology at Grinnell College, where I established and managed the Digital Liberal Arts Collaborative. I have also contributed to MIT's HyperStudio, a leading digital humanities lab.

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Strategic Leadership
Driving institution-wide innovation through vision, planning, and cross-functional partnership.
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Innovative Programs
Pioneering AI literacy initiatives and emerging technology programs that expand institutional capacity.
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Collaborative Excellence
Building interdisciplinary partnerships that support faculty, advance student learning, and achieve institutional goals.

Talks & Presentations

Speaking on the
future of education.

01
✦ AI Leadership
The Next Wave of AI Training at Wesleyan University: From Curiosity to Competency
EDUCAUSE Leadership Series | Leading AI Adoption · February 2026
02
✦ AI & Staff
Empowering Higher Education Staff with Generative AI: A Path to Efficiency Through Data-Driven Insights and Stakeholder Engagement
Connecticut Education Network Annual Conference · May 2025
03
✦ AI Governance
Integrating AI in Higher Education: Enhancing Learning, Administration, and Ethical Governance
Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges Annual Conference · June 2024
04
✦ AI & Security
Unintentionally Malicious Insiders: Managing Risk in the Age of Generative AI
EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity & Privacy Professionals Conference · May 2024
05
✦ DEI & Campus Culture
Talking About DEI at Home: Facilitating ARiA on Campus
NERCOMP Annual Conference · March 2022
06
✦ Digital Humanities
The Obstacles & Opportunities of Doing DH at Small Liberal Arts Colleges
Association for Computing in the Humanities · July 2019

Get in Touch

Let's connect.

Interested in speaking invitations, collaborations, or conversations about digital innovation in higher education?

rachel.schnepper@gmail.com