Innovation and Change Expert, Higher Education Evangelist & CEO of the University Innovation Alliance
Named one of the “Most Innovative People in Higher Education” by Washington Monthly magazine, Dr. Bridget Burns is an innovation, collaboration and student success expert, presidential advisor, and CEO. Her work has been highlighted in national outlets like The New York Times, Fast Company, 60 Minutes, and she was featured in the documentary Unlikely. Read More >
From growing up with humble origins in a low-income family in rural Montana, to serving as a trusted advisor to more than 40 college presidents, Bridget is on a mission to transform the way higher education thinks about innovation and change, and takes action to serve low-income, first generation, and students of color.
She is the founding CEO of the award-winning University Innovation Alliance, is a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation focused on dramatically increasing the number and diversity of college graduates through testing, scaling and implementing innovative practices. Founded in 2014, the UIA campuses have achieved massive change for their nearly half a million students, including increasing the number of low-income graduates by 46%, and graduates of color by 85% along the way.
Her conversational style melds storytelling, standup comedy, practical tools, and candid insights leaving audiences inspired and motivated to drive change regardless of where they sit on the org chart.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Bridget received her Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University in Higher Education, Leadership & Policy. Read Less ^
Changing the Culture of Higher Education, Together
Purpose, Inspiration, and Community
Innovating College to Career | SXSW EDU
Redesigning Higher Ed for Student Success | NISTS 2020 Annual Conference
Preparing for Higher Education (Funny Video)
Learn how to drive sustainable innovation from any seat on the org chart while identifying the key changes your institution should make to adapts to the needs of future learners. Read More >
Dr. Bridget Burns will draw upon her extensive experience working across the most innovative universities in higher education, helping you clarify what to focus on, the key questions your institution needs to ask, and the first steps you should take.
This keynote session will not only leave you energized to begin implementing new strategies, it will give you the tools you need to roll up your sleeves and begin the work.
You’ll learn how to: Read Less ^
True innovation involves a combination of building on what works and trying new things. How do you find the right balance and decide which experiments are worth the effort? Using analytics, proactive advising, completion grants, and other innovative strategies, the University Innovation Aliance’s (UIA) 11 campuses have managed to increase their graduates of color by 85% and low income graduates by 46% (on top of already exceeding their public goal to produce 68,000 more graduates by 2025). Read More >
In this keynote you will learn how you can make a similar impact at your school. Dr. Bridget Burns will share her insights into the ways proven tactics enable sustainable innovation and progress as higher education adapts to the needs of future learners. She’ll discuss how to identify areas of focus, ask tough questions, and take the first steps toward progress. This keynote session will not only leave you energized to return to campus and begin implementing new strategies, but will give you the tools you need to roll up your sleeves and begin the work.
You’ll learn how to: Read Less ^
OPINION: Higher Education needs to get comfortable with trial and error
College rankings need more focus on graduation rates of low-income students
Big Data's Coming Of Age In Higher Education
We Need to Stop Giving Campus Leaders the Wrong Advice
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