Host Dr. Alex Bolinger welcomes Idaho State University MBA student Baylee Boring, a first-generation college graduate who has completed her entire academic journey online, to explore what it really takes to succeed in virtual learning. Baylee shares how a high school injury nudged her away from sports and toward accelerated online coursework, early graduation, and a path from biology to finance and marketing in ISU’s College of Business. She discusses the discipline behind never missing an online deadline, the support of advisors who helped her find the right major, and her current work on a research project with Dr. Bolinger examining nepotism and “nepotism threat” as depicted in the long-running TV series Blue Bloods. Baylee explains how she used AI tools to process hundreds of episode transcripts, flag and rate instances of favoritism, and narrow 300 episodes down to a focused set for in-depth analysis—illustrating how AI can augment, rather than replace, human judgment in academic and professional work. Along the way, she reflects on first-generation college experiences, self-motivation in asynchronous courses, and why thoughtful use of AI can make higher education more accessible and efficient for students everywhere.
Bengal Business Radio: AI, Nepotism Research, and Online Learning
