Dr. Juana Mendenhall, vice provost for academic innovation and learning and the Walter E. Massey Professor at Morehouse College, has been selected for the North America Higher Ed chapter of the Google & GSV Ed Leader Fellowship, a prestigious program that, for the first time, is bringing together an elite cohort of provosts, chief information officers, and academic innovators from across the continent.
Dr. Mendenhall's selection places her among a dynamic group of higher education leaders who are not just responding to change, but actively designing the systems that will define the future of teaching and learning.
As a fellow, Dr. Mendenhall joins a global community of pedagogical visionaries focused on one of the most urgent frontiers in higher education: the intersection of teaching, learning, and technology. The fellowship emphasizes building strategic fluency to equip leaders to thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence into academic environments while maintaining a strong commitment to student-centered learning.
This work is deeply aligned with Dr. Mendenhall’s leadership at Morehouse, where she has been at the forefront of advancing academic innovation. Her efforts center on ensuring that students are not only prepared for today’s workforce, but are equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. The fellows in this North American cohort are described as architects of the learning-to-workforce ecosystem—leaders who are leveraging AI, data, and human-centered design to expand access and opportunity for all learners. From first-generation college students to working professionals seeking to upskill, the goal is clear: create scalable, equitable pathways to success.
Dr. Mendenhall’s selection was not incidental, it was the result of intentional, forward-thinking leadership. She was invited to apply for the fellowship in recognition of her strategic efforts to build institutional capacity around artificial intelligence. Her approach reflects a broader philosophy: technology should not replace human connection in education, but rather enhance it, expanding what’s possible for both teaching and learning.
That work has included:
- Advancing conversations around responsible and effective AI integration in the curriculum
- Supporting faculty in adapting teaching practices for a digital and AI-enhanced future
- Positioning Morehouse as a leader in innovation among historically Black colleges and universities
Together, these leaders are stewarding what the program calls “transformational opportunities”—initiatives designed to unlock human potential and reimagine how education serves society.