Dr. A.J. Merlino serves as Associate Dean and Director for Creative Impact Programs in the School of Business at Western Governors University, where he leads programs grounded in creativity, communication, and design. In this role, he oversees program strategy, curriculum innovation, student success, and industry alignment, with a focus on building clear and accessible pathways into high-growth, creative, and business-related careers. His work centers on connecting academic innovation with practical application, helping ensure that learning remains rigorous, relevant, and responsive to a changing professional landscape.

Prior to joining WGU, Merlino held leadership roles across higher education and workforce innovation, including appointments at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Thinking Through A.I., Harrisburg University, and Albright College. Across these roles, he has led academic and operational strategy, supported curriculum redesign, launched new programs, built employer and community partnerships, secured grant funding, and developed applied learning models that connect education more directly to opportunity. His work has included the development of internships, apprenticeships, residencies, stackable credentials, and employer-informed learning experiences designed to strengthen student outcomes and career mobility.

Merlino’s recent work has also explored the role of artificial intelligence, digital credentialing, and skills recognition in shaping learning and work. He has led AI-powered learning initiatives and supported the use of labor market data and emerging technologies to better align educational experiences with workforce-ready skills.