Chrysoula Malogianni, Ph.D. (Ph.D. ’19), is fascinated by the human potential to evolve alongside rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI).
“There’s nothing artificial or intelligent about AI; it is algorithms and big data. The way it works is modeling and expanding human cognition,” she said. “With AI
technology, we have the opportunity to expand our capacity.”
Dr. Malogianni is the senior associate vice president for digital innovation and chief digital experience officer at Old Dominion University. The Division of Digital Transformation and Technology team, under the visionary leadership of President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. and direct oversight of Vice President Nina Rodriguez Gonser, are supporting the University’s Forward-Focused Digital Transformation, which is revolutionizing student learning, research and operations.
Among other things, Dr. Malogianni and her colleagues are enabling the University’s transition to accelerated and flexible learning models, including 8-week online courses; modernizing classrooms and learning environments with AI-enabled, digital-forward capabilities; advancing research through secure, scalable research cloud and AI computing infrastructure; and providing institution-wide faculty and staff support and training aligned to Forward-Focused Digital Transformation, including AI-supported teaching, learning design and research workflows.
Last fall, the University celebrated the debut of MonarchSphere, a first-of-its-kind AI innovation and enablement ecosystem for higher education, which is powered by Google Cloud.
“We are shaping the future of AI innovation,” said Dr. Malogianni.
Her journey to become a digital innovator began in Thessaloniki, Greece. Her father was a truck driver. Her mother was a homemaker and seamstress. Neither had more than an elementary school education, she said. She was the first in her family — and the only one in her graduating class — to attend college.
“Education changed my life,” said Dr. Malogianni, who studied early childhood education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction pedagogy at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
After graduating, she taught K-12, but realized her interests extended beyond the classroom to systems and processes and how people interact with them. A move into corporate training helped her see how learning design and technology could work together, prompting her to pursue a master’s in education technology at Michigan State University.
In 2011, she became the lead instructional designer at The Citadel, helping build its online programs and shape the institution’s digital learning ecosystem. She said a mentor at Michigan State connected her to Old Dominion University, where she began her doctoral studies online in 2013, while working and raising a young daughter. She was hired by the University in 2019 — the same year she earned her Ph.D.
Reflecting on her path, Dr. Malogianni said her parents are proud of what she’s accomplished, even if they don’t fully understand the details of her work. She sees her
journey — from Greece to navigating digital transformation initiatives in higher education — as proof of how education can expand what people believe is possible.
Forward-Focused Digital Transformation Accomplishments to Date
- 180+ AI-Enabled Classrooms and Learning Spaces Modernized:
Part of the University’s $30M multi-year investment in digitally enhanced learning environments and next-generation teaching spaces - 110+ Researchers Utilizing Cloud-Based HPC and AI Research Environments
Expanded secure cloud research computing, high-performance computing (HPC), AI development, scalable research infrastructure and advanced AI experimentation capabilities - 120+ Online Programs Advancing Through Accelerated Digital Transformation Efforts
More than 70% readiness achieved for fall delivery, with over 650 courses transitioned or actively in development to support flexible 8-week learning pathways - 1,200+ Faculty Participated in Training and Digital Innovation Support Initiatives
Including AI literacy, course redesign, enhanced classroom technologies, accessibility, Canvas and digital learning workshops - AI Pilots Launching Across Teaching and Learning, Administrative Operations and Public Sector Partnerships
New AI-enabled initiatives and pilots prepared for fall launch to support student success, operational efficiencies, workforce innovation and external collaboration initiatives - Enterprise Systems and Process Modernization
Advancing operational efficiency, integrated digital experiences and institution-wide transformation across academic, research and administrative environments