If you’re paying attention to the future of learning and generative AI, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the name Julie Schell. A nationally recognized field expert and educational researcher for the University of Texas at Austin, she’s at the center of the conversation about what AI actually means for higher education—not in theory, but in practice.

Recently named a 2026 Top 25 Higher Ed Influencer to Follow and one of the Top 50 Voices to Follow in Education, Schell isn’t just talking about the future of learning—she’s building it. One of her biggest innovations? UT SAGE—an AI-powered tutor platform and instructional design agent to support both students and instructors.

A field favorite in higher education student engagement, Camille leads University Open House and incoming student events at NC State University. As the supervisor of the Office of Campus Visits, she’s a go-to resource for prospective students and families. Camille brings the NC State experience to life—spotlighting the buzz surrounding North Carolina’s Research Triangle, breaking down a “day in the life” of prospective students, and showcasing NC State’s nationally recognized Exploratory Studies program.

A Nobel Prize winner marking his 50th year in UC Berkeley’s Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Dr. Randy Schekman guides prospective students and parents through the realities of selecting an appropriate campus and science major. Drawing on his own path into laboratory science, he highlights the extensive opportunities offered by large public research institutions.