Tech Leaders Untold: College Isn’t Just About Skills, Associate Dean Explains Why

What if college is preparing you for something deeper than just technical skills?

In this episode, Fanny Dunagan sits down with Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at the University of Texas at Dallas, who shares what higher education really teaches and why confidence, independent thinking, and real-world connections matter more now than ever.

We dive into:
✅ The “confidence gap” no one talks about in school
✅ How universities can stay relevant in the age of AI
✅ The power of mentorship and bridging academia with industry

📌 Whether you're a student, mid-career professional, or industry leader, this episode will challenge your assumptions about education, talent, and the future of work.

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Connect with Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at   / fannydunagan  

Connect with Gaurav Shekhar on LinkedIn at   / gauravshekhar  

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Timestamps:
00:00 – The Mission: Bridging Industry and Academia
02:06 – What a Tech Dean Actually Does
03:01 – How Childhood Curiosity Became Career Purpose
05:41 – Forget the Pitch Deck. Start the Conversation.
07:43 – Three Master's Degrees in the 1950s?!
10:02 – Why He Left Corporate to Teach
13:11 – "I'm Not an Expert"—And That's the Point
15:08 – The Business of Giving Confidence
17:14 – Real Case Study, Hidden Identity
20:36 – Why Colleges Still Matter in a YouTube World
24:00 – Shared Accountability: The Secret to College Success
26:01 – One Mentor, One Student, One Life-Changing Semester
30:52 – The Best Question a Mentee Can Ask
33:20 - Thank you to our sponsor, CG Infinity
34:15 – Why Industry-Academia Partnerships Are Non-Negotiable
35:44 – Students Compete Like Senior Consultants
38:00 – "I Feel Like the Biggest Loser on LinkedIn…"
39:06 – Misconceptions Executives Have About Gen Z
43:17 – "Every Freshman Was a Senior Once"
45:28 – What Students Get Wrong About Leaders
47:03 – The Real Impact of AI in the Classroom
50:08 – Responsible AI = Respecting the Human
54:25 – PowerPoint Dating: The Human Comeback
55:01 – What 10,000 People at a Funeral Really Means
58:26 – "I Could Have Done More”: The Most Honest Goodbye
01:01:57 - Tech CXO Launchpad Program