The pace of digital transformation continues to accelerate, reshaping industries, workplaces and the way people learn. In higher education, this transformation has a profound impact not only on how students access information and complete assignments, but also on the very nature of the skills they’ll need in a technology-driven workforce. College of Business faculty are navigating these shifts firsthand — integrating new tools into their classrooms, preparing students for AI-influenced careers and ensuring that human insight remains at the core of learning.
We asked three professors to share their perspectives on how digital transformation is changing education and the industries they serve.
What does digital transformation mean to you?
Associate Professor Dishant Pandya:
“I grew up in an environment where everything was done with paper and pen. In India, especially in poorer neighborhoods, schools didn’t have notebooks for students. The teacher would write on a board, and students would have these small, square slate boards to write on. That’s how we learned. When I came to the U.S. for my higher education, I had to transition to doing all my work on computers — my projects, my assignments, everything. It was a slow change for me, but that’s what digital transformation is, right? It’s gradually moving from doing things manually to using technology to make things easier and faster.”
Associate Professor Chris Bergeron:
“To me, digital transformation refers to the strategic integration of digital technologies to fundamentally enhance and streamline processes, improve access to information and create new opportunities for engagement. In higher education, this means leveraging technology to enrich learning experiences, foster collaboration and ensure students are prepared for an evolving digital workforce.”
Professor John Patterson:
“Digital transformation is simply using digital technologies instead of older processes to help the organization improve.”
How is digital transformation changing the way students learn?
Bergeron:
“One of the most significant changes I’ve seen is how technology has shifted learning from being purely classroom-based to more flexible and accessible models. We’re seeing students engage through virtual collaboration, cloud-based project platforms and asynchronous learning environments. Technology has fundamentally changed the learning experience — and that’s a good thing. It helps students learn on their own time and in ways that align with their personal learning styles, which ultimately makes education more effective and inclusive.”
Patterson:
“Anything that helps students get their work done quicker and easier is an advantage. As for collaboration, simplifying the process for them to communicate with other students or their professor via their phone is really important.”
How has technology impacted your teaching?
Pandya:
“When I teach finance now, I think about how much things have changed. Decades ago, if you were trying to calculate the price of a bond, you did it entirely by hand. It would take hours to complete one complex calculation. Today, I can show my students how to do it using a financial calculator or Excel, and they can do ten of those calculations in under an hour. That’s the power of digital transformation — it shifts the focus from spending time doing the math to spending time understanding the application. And that’s really what I want my students to take away — not just how to solve the problem, but how to apply the knowledge in real-world scenarios.”
Bergeron:
“It’s also changed the core skills we emphasize in business education. Employers aren’t just looking for technical knowledge anymore — they want candidates who can collaborate across digital platforms, interpret data quickly and make strategic decisions. So, we’ve had to shift our teaching to emphasize problem-solving, data analysis and digital collaboration. That’s how we make sure students are prepared for the rapidly changing workforce they’re entering.”
How is AI influencing the workplace across industries?
Pandya:
“AI is becoming a major factor in financial planning, and I see it firsthand. For example, if a client came to a financial planner with a $2 million inheritance, traditionally there would be an initial meeting, and then a week or two later, the planner would present a detailed financial plan. Now, I could go to ChatGPT and say, ‘Create a financial plan for this client,’ and it would generate a full plan almost instantly. But here’s the thing — AI can’t replace the human touch. It can’t sit across from a client and say, ‘I think you should invest 25% of this in an S&P 500 ETF based on your goals.’ That’s where human judgment and experience still matter. AI can do the math and the documentation, but the personal advice? That still has to come from a human.”
Bergeron:
“AI can generate content, analyze data and automate processes — but it doesn’t have intuition, empathy or strategic judgment. That’s why we spend so much time emphasizing soft skills like critical thinking, decision-making and client communication. Technology can do the heavy lifting, but humans are still needed to guide the process and make thoughtful, people-centered decisions.”
How has digital transformation improved access to learning resources?
Pandya:
“When I was in college, you’d go to the first day of class, get the syllabus and then wait a couple of days to figure out if the professor was actually going to use the textbook before you spent money on it. Now, it’s completely different. Students pay one flat fee and have instant access to textbooks online through their learning platforms. From day one, they have everything they need. That’s digital transformation — making learning faster, cheaper and more accessible. And that’s a huge benefit for students today.”
Bergeron:
“This is a great example of how technology can close equity gaps in education. Having textbooks, resources and learning platforms available on day one levels the playing field. It’s no longer about who can afford the materials — it’s about ensuring everyone has equal access. Bellevue University has been a leader in this by providing flexible, affordable education to working adults and nontraditional learners. Technology makes that possible.”
What do you see as the future of digital transformation in business education?
Pandya:
“Digital transformation is not stopping — it’s only accelerating. We’ve already moved from paper and pen to computers, from hand calculations to financial calculators, and now from human-led financial planning to AI-generated financial plans. But the one thing I always remind my students is that technology can’t replace human judgment. Even if AI can create a financial plan in seconds, it can’t build trust with a client, it can’t fully understand someone’s emotions or financial fears, and it can’t make personalized recommendations with empathy. So yes, digital transformation is powerful — but the human touch will always matter, especially in financial services.”
Bergeron:
“We can use AI, learning platforms and data analysis to improve learning outcomes, but the relationship between faculty and students is still key. Technology should enhance learning, not replace the human connection. If we get that balance right, we’ll equip students with both the technical and human skills they need to thrive.”