Why Leaders Can’t Afford to Ignore AI

In every industry, artificial intelligence is shifting from novelty to necessity. What was once the domain of engineers and data scientists has quickly become a boardroom priority. And yet, many business leaders still feel unprepared to make sense of AI, let alone lead with it.

That’s a problem.

We’re at a point where key business decisions increasingly involve AI-driven insights, automation tools, and predictive models. Whether you're overseeing marketing strategy, supply chain logistics, customer experience, or product innovation, AI is in the room. The question is: are you ready to lead when it is?

It’s Not About Coding, It’s About Clarity 
There’s a common misconception that understanding AI requires deep technical knowledge. But leadership doesn’t demand code, it demands comprehension. Leaders don’t need to build algorithms, but they do need to ask the right questions about how AI is developed, how it’s applied, and what its limitations might be.

For example:

• Can we trust the data this model is based on?
• What kind of bias might be built into this system?
• Is this tool enhancing or undermining our strategic goals?

These are not technical questions, they’re leadership questions.

Strategic Leadership in an AI-Driven World
As AI continues to evolve, so do the expectations placed on those at the helm of organizations. We’re moving beyond “What is AI?” and into “How do we integrate AI in a way that is ethical, transparent, and aligned with our values?” This means:

• Leaders must understand AI's capabilities and constraints.
• Teams need guidance to work effectively with AI tools.
• Organizations must create frameworks for responsible use.

It’s no longer enough to delegate “the AI stuff” to a tech team. Leaders are being asked to engage directly in decisions about automation, data governance, AI procurement, and policy. And they’re being asked to do so with confidence, not caution.

Preparing for What’s Next 
The future of leadership is not about mastering every new tool that hits the market, it’s about developing the mindset and literacy to lead through change.

AI isn’t replacing leaders. But it is reshaping what effective leadership looks like.

Organizations that thrive in this next era will be those led by individuals who can bridge the gap between technical innovation and human-centered strategy. These are the leaders who stand out in guiding teams with clarity, ask smarter questions, and make decisions that are not only efficient, but wise. As the landscape evolves, our challenge is to keep pace not just with the technology, but with the trust and responsibility that come with it.

Ready to Meet the Moment? 
Explore how Northwestern College’s MBA with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence can help you lead with purpose and clarity through a uniquely Christian world-view in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Learn more about the AI specialization in our MBA program.

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How Faith-Informed Leadership and Strategic Change Can Help You Stand Out
In today’s fast-moving business environment, innovation is often celebrated as the engine of growth and competitive advantage. But what happens after the brainstorming session? After the product launch? After the strategy pivot?

The truth is, innovation without effective change management often fails to deliver lasting impact. Ideas may be groundbreaking, but without the right leadership and process to embed them into an organization’s culture and operations, they rarely stick.

This is where today’s business leaders have an opportunity to Stand Out by combining strategic thinking with the emotional intelligence and resilience needed to guide teams through change.

The Hardest Part of Innovation? Implementation.
It’s easy to focus on the creative side of innovation—generating new ideas, developing disruptive technologies, or exploring fresh business models. But turning innovation into sustainable change requires a different skill set. Leaders need to:

• Navigate organizational resistance
• Communicate change effectively across teams
• Align innovation efforts with company strategy
• Monitor and adapt change initiatives over time
• Foster a culture that welcomes, not fears, change

And for leaders shaped by a Christian academic community, these responsibilities come with an added layer of purpose: leading change in ways that reflect integrity, care for others, and a commitment to ethical decision-making.

Change Leadership Is Now a Core Business Competency
Forward-thinking organizations are placing greater value on leaders who can manage both sides of the equation: innovation and change management. Today’s most effective business leaders are not only idea generators, they’re change champions and they know how to bring people along for the journey, build buy-in, and sustain momentum long after the initial launch. In short, they Stand Out by making change not just possible, but successful and lasting.

Preparing Leaders to Move Ideas from Concept to Reality
At Northwestern College, our MBA specialization in Innovation & Change Management was designed with this leadership gap in mind and it’s offered within a Christian academic community that encourages students to align professional leadership with personal values.

Students in the program don’t just learn how to develop innovative strategies, they gain the tools to implement them effectively, ethically, and with empathy. Through real-world application, the curriculum covers areas like organizational development, strategic planning, change communication, and systems thinking.

In today’s business world, it’s not enough to have good ideas. Leaders must know how to turn those ideas into action and action into lasting results. If you’re ready to Stand Out as a leader who can both envision change and deliver it, check out our flexible and affordable MBA today. Learn more about Northwestern’s MBA and Innovation and Change Management Specialization.

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Two related and very similar qualities can lead to success for all of our students. They are relatively simple concepts and parents and school personnel have frequent opportunities to teach, develop and reinforce them. 

The first of these qualities is what Stanford professor and psychologist, Carol Dweck calls a “growth mindset.” Those with a growth mindset believe that success comes from effort. On the other hand, people who believe that success comes from being born with the gift of intelligence or talent have a “fixed mindset.” 

The second, related quality, is “Grit,” which University of Pennsylvania professor and psychologist Angela Duckworth defines as, “persistence, determination & resilience.” 

Having a growth mindset is a great start. It gives us hope that we can affect the outcome of any situation. It gives us a reason to try and a reason to take risks. When we follow up with grit, we are able to deal with the disappointments and setbacks that inevitably come. We are able to focus on the benefits of the journey and not get discouraged when obstacles arise. 

As parents, one of the most difficult things is watching our children struggle. Our instinct tells us to protect them from any pain and hurt that comes from failure. In some cases, we do need to step in, but in more, we need to put our energy into encouraging them to persist and believe that their efforts will make a difference. We also need to continually focus on learning—whether it is in a classroom, in relationships, or in an athletic or fine arts activity. 

If our real expectation is that our children do their best, learn as much as they can, and act with character and integrity, we will praise and focus on those things and remove the focus and emphasis on a specific grade or an expectation for a certain amount of playing time. A’s and playing time are nice, but they are secondary to developing grit and adhering to a growth mindset. 

These same principles of grit and a growth mindset are just as essential for educational leaders as they are for students. Pursuing a master's degree in educational administration requires the belief that leadership skills can be developed through effort and continuous learning. It also demands perseverance in the face of complex challenges, from navigating policy changes to supporting diverse student needs. As future administrators, modeling these qualities not only contributes to personal success but also sets the tone for a school culture that values resilience, growth, and the ongoing pursuit of excellence for all. If you're ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, learn more about Northwestern College’s M.Ed. in Educational Administration Program. 

About the author
Russ Adams has served as the program director for Northwestern's Master of Education in Educational Administration and Principal Endorsement programs since 2024. Adams is also the assistant director for Northwestern's Center of Innovation and Leadership. Serving as superintendent of the MOC-Floyd Valley school district for 11 years, Adams was the recipient of the 2020-21 Iowa Superintendent of the Year, he previously served as principal of MOC-Floyd Valley High School from 2003 to 2013. He was recognized as the 2009 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year and a 2003 recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award.

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Let's take time to pause during Teacher Appreciation Week to consider the profound calling and vital work of our teachers. In a rapidly evolving world, their dedication extends beyond the transmission of rote knowledge; it reflects a commitment to nurturing the hearts and minds of the young people entrusted to their care.

Our teachers navigate a complex landscape, integrating new technologies and addressing the diverse needs of their students. They are not merely instructors; they are often the hands and feet of compassion, offering guidance, social and emotional support, and a steady presence in a world that can feel increasingly uncertain. 

It's also vital to acknowledge something profound: teaching is a uniquely human endeavor that AI cannot replicate. Our teachers are instrumental in fostering not only intellectual development but also character, resilience, and a sense of purpose. They are planting seeds of wisdom and truth in order to cultivate a harvest of thoughtful and engaged citizens. They are preparing students for a future we can only begin to imagine.

Therefore, our appreciation must be rooted in a respect for their vocations and more than a fleeting observance. Let it be a consistent outpouring of prayer, support, and gratitude, recognizing the profound responsibility and sacred calling they embrace as they shape the next generation within our community. May we, as people of faith, be a source of strength and encouragement for them in this vital work.

At Northwestern College, we believe that honoring teachers means equipping them for longevity, growth, and leadership in their calling. Our fully online Master of Education programs are designed to support educators at every stage of their journey—whether deepening classroom practice, stepping into new areas of leadership, or responding to the evolving needs of today's learners. As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering those who shape the future, one student at a time. Explore our M.Ed. programs here. 

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So, you’re thinking about becoming a counselor. Amazing, you are needed! A career in helping is rewarding and fascinating. Your career will focus on understanding human behavior and promoting positive change in individuals, families, or groups.

I will share a few insider secrets with 5 more benefits of the profession!

1. Freedom
   Be your own boss. If you choose to start your own private practice, you can set your hours. Work when you want to work.
   
   
2. Fulfilling
   Learn and experience a deep appreciation for humanity. See God’s miracles firsthand as you guide people toward healing and holistic health.
    
3. Never Grow Bored
   Choose a specialty that excites you. Then, later in your career, choose a new specialty that excites you all over again!
   
   
4. Self-Awareness
   This is a profession where you ARE the “tool” that is used to help the client. Much like a surgeon must keep her scalpel sharp…a counselor must keep herself AWARE. That is, you have to work on your “issues” and continue your personal growth. Balance and acceptance are key.
   
   
5. Mandatory Self-Care
   As a counselor, you will have to practice mandatory self-care. This is the holistic kind that requires setting boundaries, self-compassion, and having down time…just to mention a few.

I’m excited you’re preparing to join the counseling team! There will never be a dull moment unless it is one you’ve scheduled in your calendar.

Learn more about Northwestern's online M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs. 

  About the Author

Dr. Julie Merriman is the program director for Northwestern's online Master of Arts in Mental Health and School Counseling programs. Dr. Merriman’s background in the mental health field ranges from running her own private practice since 1999 to being a school counselor to running an adolescent
program to creating a school for severely emotionally disturbed students to serving as
a director for Abilene Psychiatric Hospital. She currently maintains her private practice in Meridian, Texas. 

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Kari was nominated by her faculty as a student who constantly sought to better her practice while exhibiting the key pillars of Northwestern Raiders. Her dedication to high-quality work and positive, faith-filled peer interaction is something to be emulated. Kari's journey included unexpected hardship as she underwent cancer treatment while continuing her master's degree and teaching - and handled it all with a grace that is deeply inspiring.

We celebrate Kari, 6th-grade teacher, mom, wife, teacher leader and breast cancer warrior.
She earned her Master of Education in Teacher Leadership.

 In the fall of 2018, I made the decision to finish my master's degree online. After searching and reaching out to many colleges, I knew right away that NWC Online was the best fit for me. I am a 5th/6th-grade special education teacher at Okoboji Middle School, teacher leader, wife, and mom. Juggling all of that was going to be difficult. What I wasn’t prepared for, was a diagnosis that would throw my life a curveball. I finished the Fall term and part of the Spring term with a breeze. That all changed in May. I felt a lump one morning by chance. Due to family history, I got into the doctor that morning. What followed was a series of events that led to a Stage 3 Breast Cancer diagnosis.

I reached out to my professors and advisor right away to let them know my circumstances.
They are the reason I kept moving forward with finishing out my master's degree while also receiving treatment.
Their faith, compassion, and understanding gave me hope that I could reach this long-term goal of mine. My family was my rock throughout my diagnosis and continuing my education. My husband took on so much to allow me time to work and research. The boys’ grandparents were our angels that kept the boys for most of the summer while I received a chemo that was hard on my body.

It was through my online classes that kept my mind focused and distracted from my disease.

In the fall of 2019, I was able to continue teaching part-time. I taught 3 days a week due to chemo treatments and a day of rest. My colleagues, administration, and students always took care of me. I was showered with love, kindness, cards, gifts, food, and prayers throughout my journey that kept me going strong.

I am so thankful for all of the people in my life that gave me support, inspired me to keep fighting, and motivated me to continue moving forward with my degree.

Because of my education through Northwestern, I was able to pause and reflect on my career and change my approaches as a teacher and leader. The classes challenged my thinking, faith, and instruction. Going forward, my mindset has shifted to a more open-minded approach as I work alongside other teachers to meet our students’ needs. My experience through Northwestern was wonderful. What I loved most about my experience was how each of my classes challenged my faith-based practices in and out of the classroom.

The advice I would give other educators considering the same program is to be prepared for excellence. Build relationships and make connections in each of your classes to open up your career to more possibilities. Most importantly, be willing to try new things, accept challenges, and make mistakes as you learn and grow. 

Currently, I am a 6th-grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Okoboji Middle School. Previously I taught Special Education for 13 years. What I love most about my job is building relationships with students. Making connections with students is such a beautiful thing and changes how I approach my instruction to meet the needs of my learners.

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For adult students, there can be a big time gap between completing one degree and pursuing the next. Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve been in the academic mode, or maybe you’re continuing right after a semester of classes. Either way, it can take time to adjust to new paper deadlines and adding one more thing to the busy-ness of life. We have found 3 keys to success to creating your personal “class time” - a consistent study time, location, and environment.   

Here are 3 tips to help you be successful in your academic goals:

1. Set a routine

Develop a routine of studying in the same location, approximate time, and even day. Find where you work best and can feel distraction-free. This doesn’t have to be one sole space, if you can focus at a favorite coffee shop, your kitchen table, or empty classroom, it will establish a routine for motivated work time. You don’t have to pressure yourself to finish everything in one sitting. It can be helpful to break up the class assignment across the whole week with at least one rest day. Some students segment their homework time into 20-minute sections, which means you focus your attention on one item and then take a 5-10 minute break to stand up, go for walk or drink water in between your next 20-minute work session. Be creative with your in-between times. You may have a few minutes during a prep period or work break that you can check discussion questions; this way you can think about your answer on your drive home and be ready for your established study time. An academic routine integrated into daily life will help you meet your goals.

2. Create study rules, and follow them

If you sometimes struggle with not feeling productive during your personal class time, set a few ground rules that you stick with. You might make sure you have a comfortable environment in your study area. Make sure you’re not having in back or wrist pain, have good lighting, and all your materials ready before you start. Your study zone might be sitting down with a cup of tea after the kids are in bed. Whatever you decide as your rules set them and stick to them. The structure lends to success.  

3. Build a support team

Having accountability and support in pursuing your academic goals will help keep you on track. Share your routine and rules with your family, friends, and kids - so they can help you not only stick to it, but it also allows them to assist in creating the positive learning environment. Share with your classroom or co-workers about your academic pursuit. It will create mutual encouragement, and give them an opportunity to share in your accomplishments. What better inspiration than to show you’re always learning too! You may be an inspiration for others to pursue their goals. 

At Northwestern, we are your first academic support team. We are here because we want to make a difference in your life and walk alongside you to achieve your academic goals. 
Take a look at Northwestern's adult learning programs. 

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We often have questions about how and when students can pay their bills. We're here to help make the process as convenient as possible from online payment options to monthly payment plans.

Student payments are due by Aug. 1 for first semester and the second semester payments are due in January of the new semester by the 3^rd of the month.  Online students can view their bill online and should make their payment online on MyNWC under the billing information tab.  Payment can be made with e-check which has no fee, or by credit card which has a 2.75% fee.

Online students may pay on a monthly payment plan by completing a monthly payment form found on MyNWC under the “billing information” tab. Enrollment for 1^st semester must be made by July 1 and by November registration for the spring semester. The monthly payment form needs to be completed and e-mailed to the business office by the date given on the form.  First semester payments are due July 25, August 25, Sept. 25, Oct. 25 and November 25.  Second semester payments are due Dec. 25, January 25, February 25, March 25 and April 25.

There is a $25.00 per semester set up fee for monthly payments.  There is no additional interest charged unless your payment is delinquent.  In that case, you will owe the entire balance and interest of 1% per month will be charged to your account.  Monthly payments may change if you change your class schedule, or there is an adjustment in your financial aid package. 

If you do not make your payments, you will not be able to get into classes, Blackboard or use campus facilities and we cannot give you a diploma or release your transcripts or credentials until you settle your account. We are always available if you have questions!

please call (712-707-7125) or email (businessoffice@nwciowa.edu).

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I’m excited to write my first blog for NWC!  What’s even more exciting is that I can write this about a fun topic that we all enjoy – FOOD!!

My goal in this particular blog is to give you some helpful hints in trying to manage your family schedule, homework, household chores, etc. while feeding your family.  I know that there are some weeks it seems I especially fail, so don’t feel that this is by any means the best method.  Make sure you give yourself some grace!

So how do I figure out what meals to make and when?  Well, there are a couple of methods I use:

1. Look in your cupboards and freezer to see what should get eaten or has been sitting there for awhile. If it’s not expired, determine what you can make with it.  You can do this by looking for recipes that contain a few of your ingredients.  One of the best websites I have found for this is allrecipes.com
   
   
2. Take out one of your cookbooks each month and view recipes you think your family might like. Lay them out on a calendar according to your schedule. Make sure you write down any ingredients you might need for your next shopping trip to the grocery store. 
3. Once a month sit down and plan your meals according to the family’s schedule. Make sure to assign crockpot meals for those nights you are super busy!  Also, build in some leftover days.  Make sure you take advantage of tailgates and fundraising meals at various churches, schools, and other community events!  It’s a great way to ease the stress and mess!
4. Look at Pinterest for Meal Planning tips and tricks. Find one that best suits your family, food preferences, and lifestyle.
5. Cook some meals with friends! I love to get together with a group of friends and set aside a day to make meals!  You can also participate in meal exchanges too!

Ultimately, you need to do what works for you and your family’s lifestyle.  No matter what or when you eat, I would encourage you to enjoy your family meals together!  Ask each other about your day.

Remember some of the fondest memories are made around the table together!

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Enrolling in college is a huge step—whether it’s transferring to complete your degree or returning to school after some (or much!) time away. The transition to completing homework and writing papers on a regular basis can be intimidating at first. Thankfully, you are not alone in making the transition to academic life.

Academic support is available to those who need it. As a writing tutor at Northwestern, I have had the opportunity to help students in an online nursing course. While tutoring looks a little different online, we are here to walk alongside you to help you succeed.

Receiving feedback will be a different process than face-to-face interaction. However, the quality of support will remain the same, and tutors will go out of their way to help as much as they possibly can.

When asking for help, students will typically send an electronic copy of their paper via email. Depending on tutor and student availability, a time can then be set up to discuss the paper. Tutors aren’t there just to provide constructive criticism; we will also help you to capitalize on your strengths and grow more confident in whatever subject you’re working in.

In the past, I have done Skype meetings or phone calls. In-document comments are also provided so students can more easily remember the comments discussed. From there, any further questions can be discussed via email, phone call, or Skype. Tutors are willing to help and work to meet your schedule demands.

While college or grad school can seem demanding, you are not alone. Whatever class you’re concerned with, from math and chemistry to writing, support is available. The tutors are willing to work with your schedule to provide you with the best feedback possible. For more information about tutoring services, contact your Northwestern academic advisor.

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