Fremont, California – Jan, 26 2026 – The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the national leader in advancing graduate education and research, will host an interactive webinar on February 3, 2026, featuring leadership from San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) and focused on how graduate institutions can build student-centered foundations for sustainable growth. The session will take place from 3:00–4:00 PM ET and bring together academic leaders to examine how intentional institutional design can better serve today’s learners while supporting long-term scalability.
The webinar explores how a student-first, human-centered pedagogical approach can reshape how institutions are designed, governed, and delivered. Hosted at cgsnet.org, CGS webinars provide members with an interactive environment to engage with critical issues in graduate education and research, offering a forum for deans and administrators to learn from and exchange innovative best practices.
The SFBU Framework for Innovation
SFBU’s approach centers on rethinking how institutions are built—starting with a cohesive foundation rather than isolated program launches. By prioritizing equity, student persistence, and meaningful outcomes, SFBU aligns academic rigor with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to expand access and support continuous improvement.
Participants will gain insight into how this framework is being applied through SFBU’s forthcoming MBA program, the first of several offerings developed within this flexible, student-centered model.
Featured Speakers & Moderator
The webinar features leaders at the intersection of institutional strategy, innovation, and student success:
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Moderator: Jamal Gay, Senior Vice President of University Partnerships, Noodle
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Speaker: Nick Ladany, Ph.D., President, San Francisco Bay University
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Speaker: Brad Fuster, DMA, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, SFBU
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Speaker: Heather Herrera, Ph.D., Vice President for Strategy and Innovation, SFBU
Event Information
Designing the Future of Graduate Education | Building the Institutional Foundation for Sustainable Growth
- Date: February 3, 2026
- Time: 3:00–4:00 PM ET
- Registration: Available via the CGS Webinar Portal at cgsnet.org
About the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)
The Council of Graduate Schools is a non-profit higher education organization that provides graduate deans and their institutions with data, insights, and advocacy. CGS webinars offer members an interactive environment to address the most pressing issues in graduate education and research.
About San Francisco Bay University (SFBU)
Located in Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay University is a non-profit institution dedicated to providing accessible, career-aligned education. By blending technology with human-centered pedagogy, SFBU prepares students to lead in a rapidly changing global economy.
