AI in Higher Education: Lessons from Georgia Tech

Episode 043 of the Badass Leaders Podcast with Raheem Beyah

Georgia Tech Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Raheem Beyah joins Angela for a powerful conversation on innovation, leadership, AI, and mentorship in higher education. What does it take for a kid from Atlanta Public Schools—who picked his college based on his grandmother’s biscuits—to rise to Dean of Engineering and now Provost at Georgia Tech? Raheem shares a candid, funny, and deeply grounded look at grit, legacy, inclusive leadership, scaling innovation ecosystems, and the future of AI in education.

If you’re interested in modern leadership, higher ed transformation, diversity in STEM, or what it really takes to build a legacy, this episode delivers. From video games and Atari to AI makerspaces, from Atlanta classrooms to billion-dollar impact decisions, we unpack how early teachers, mentors, and risk-taking shaped his path—and how he now pays that forward for the next generation of engineers and leaders. If you care about leadership, higher education, student access, innovation, or how AI is transforming universities from the inside out, this one will hit you right in the “okay, I need to level up” center of your brain.

Topics Covered: How does the Dean of Engineering at Georgia Tech define real leadership vs management? What’s the difference between a mentor, a champion, and a sponsor—and why do you need all three? How did Atlanta Public Schools shape a future dean and engineering leader? What is Georgia Tech’s AI Makerspace and why does it matter for the future of engineering and AI-native students? How should universities think about AI, ChatGPT, and ethics in admissions and classrooms? How do you handle conflict and tough emails in high-stakes leadership roles? How do you build trust and accountability with school chairs, faculty, and staff in a huge institution? What’s the real difference between being a leader and being a manager—and how do you know which one to be? Why is university research so critical to everyday life, medicine, and national competitiveness? How can first-generation, under-resourced, or non-traditional students still thrive at top engineering schools like Georgia Tech?

Key Takeaways: Grit + Guidance Beat Perfect Circumstances: How Atlanta Public Schools, dedicated teachers, and parallel hustles (working while in grad school, doubling up on math) created a foundation for long-term success. Mentors, Champions & the Power of “I See More in You”: Why you need mentors in plural—for different seasons, skills, and perspectives—and how champions put real skin in the game for your career. Healthy Conflict: How to respond to long, angry emails without escalating, why meeting face-to-face changes everything, and how to remember “they’re mad at the role, not the person.” AI as a Native Tool, Not a Buzzword: Inside Georgia Tech’s decision to go “all in” on AI—from encouraging AI use in admissions essays to building an AI makerspace that pairs digital tools with physical makerspaces. Legacy Beyond Titles & Rankings.

Learn More About Raheem Beyah:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raheem-beyah/
• https://ece.gatech.edu/directory/raheem-beyah 

Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Holy Shift: Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow: https://holyshiftresearch.transistor.fm/ 
• AI Makerspace at Georgia Tech: https://coe.gatech.edu/academics/ai-for-engineering/ai-makerspace 
• Bud Moeller’s episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMA1L2B5xsM&t=179s 
• Building Your A-Team blog: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/building-your-a-team/ 

Produced by: The AGN Group Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

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