Dockens named as a 2026 Top 50 Voice in Higher Education

Dr. Ashley Dockens, associate provost of academic innovation and digital learning at Lamar University, has been named one of the Top 50 Voices to Follow in Higher Education for 2026. 

According to Vevox, the No. 1 rated polling and Q&A platform for educators and businesses, this distinction honors prominent educators, academic leaders, and innovators who are advancing meaningful progress within higher education. 

The recognition underscores Lamar University’s expanding influence in the field of academic innovation both across Texas and in broader national and international contexts, with Dockens spearheading those efforts. 

An audiologist by trade, she holds an Au.D. and a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her problem-solving nature led her into teaching and administrative roles at Lamar University, and she has now become a respected voice at the forefront of leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. 

“When we created AI in Every Program, I asked myself, ‘What is going to be most useful for students that won't make faculty feel threatened or overburdened and will create some forward motion to keep us relevant?’” Dockens said. “Our team uses research, surveys and other methods to evaluate how AI is impacting specific programs in higher education. From there, we can help faculty find reputable trainingto prepare for integration.”  

Dockens and her team at Lamar University investigate how AI is shaping higher education by conducting surveys and collaborating with industry partners to understand real-world developments. By integrating faculty feedback with their own research, they provide informed recommendations for incorporating AI into academic curricula. 

“The best part about my job is that no two days are the same,” she said. “I’m still active in research. I’ve got around seven studies going right now – most of them around AI, of course.”  

She modestly attributes the growing recognition that Lamar University has received within the higher education AI landscape to her Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning and University Innovation teams’ efforts and comprehensive, all-in approach.

“For the first time in my career, I feel like I can make really positive change on a larger scale,” Dockens said. “Being out there and being known, especially through opportunities such as this Top 50 Voices honor, has given me that ability to provide a platform for Lamar University.” 

Curated annually by Vevox, the Top 50 Voices to Follow in Higher Education list highlights individuals who are actively shaping the ideas, momentum, and expertise driving higher education today – and influencing its future direction. Honorees are selected from thousands of nominations worldwide and evaluated by an independent judging panel. 

To learn more about the Top 50 Voices to Follow in Higher Education and see the full list of 2026 honorees, visit Vevox.com.  

To keep up with Dr. Ashley Dockens, stay connected with her on LinkedIn.