The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

Higher education is navigating an era of rapid change and disruption, but institutions can’t respond to everything at once. Nicole Muscanell , Senior Researcher at EDUCAUSE , returns to the show to discuss how colleges and universities are adapting to AI and digital transformation, including growing scrutiny around data privacy, security, tool adoption, and redundancy.  She also explores why...

What can acting , professional poker , and a nonlinear career teach us about the future of higher education? Christina Lindley , Founder & CEO of VPRG Consulting , shares her unconventional career journey and the transferable skills that shaped her approach to business, strategy, risk, and partnerships. She also discusses how AI is changing enrollment and student decision-making, why instituti...

In this bonus episode recorded as part of our virtual EDUCAUSE 2026 coverage, Dustin speaks with Ryan Lufkin from Instructure , about the inaugural EdTech Top 40: Inside the U.S. Higher Education Digital Learning Stack . Based on aggregated LTI launch data, the report offers a data-driven look at how institutions are actually using educational technology—and where the biggest gaps and opportu...

Strategic planning in higher ed can easily become a long, complicated process that produces a rigid document that no one ends up really using. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Holtan , Associate Provost at Carroll University and host of the Get Down to College Business podcast, shares how her institution approached strategic planning as a collaborative, data-informed, and adaptable process. She discusse...

Higher education is currently navigating a “polycrisis” of enrollment pressures, financial uncertainty, digital transformation, AI, infrastructure challenges, and more. In this episode, Tracey Swift , editor-in-chief of Higher Ed Risk Magazine , explores all of this and makes the case for rethinking risk management as a strategic tool for institutional resilience. She shares why leaders need to mo...

What happens when higher education loses sight of its purpose—and what would it take to rebuild public trust? Teege Mettille , author of College Is Broken and host of the companion podcast , discusses the forces driving skepticism about higher education, from misleading college pricing and unrealistic enrollment expectations to institutions losing touch with their mission. He shares insights from...

In this week’s episode, Dustin speaks with Frank Steslow , CEO of SSP International , about how immersive summer STEM programs create meaningful opportunities for students while delivering strategic value for colleges and universities. They explore why the most successful partnerships go beyond simply renting campus space—bringing together faculty, student affairs, conference services, and institu...

For this week’s episode, we’re pleased to speak with Martin Kimmel , President & Co-Founder of Kimmel Architecture , about how thoughtful campus design can strengthen institutional identity in an era of financial constraints and evolving student expectations. They discuss why the most effective campus projects aren't necessarily the biggest or most expensive, but the ones that reinforce an ins...

We’re proud to welcome Dr. Brooke Elliott, Dean of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois to the show this week. She shares her perspective on leading with purpose during a time of rapid change in higher education. Dean Elliott discusses how a mission-driven culture, intentional innovation, and a commitment to expanding access have helped Gies grow its impact while preparing st...

Ian Gibson , Dean of San Diego State University’s Global Campus , joins the podcast this week to discuss why higher education needs an "operating system upgrade" to meet the realities of today's learners, and how to achieve this structural reform and digital transformation. He shares how institutions can expand access through online learning, lifelong education, and global partnerships while maint...

In this week’s episode, Dustin speaks with Dr. Daniel Allen , President of La Salle University , about the institution's remarkable turnaround and the leadership principles behind its recognition as the " Comeback College ." Rather than chasing flashy higher education trends, Dr. Allen shares how La Salle leaned into its core identity—prioritizing teaching excellence, student success, and a strong...

In this week’s episode, Dustin speaks with Omar Chihane , Global General Manager of TOEFL at ETS , about the evolving landscape of international student mobility and the growing importance of English proficiency in an AI-driven world.  Drawing on his own international journey and global perspective, Omar explores how students are making increasingly pragmatic decisions about where to study, balanc...

We welcome Leslie Gale from CampusESP to the show this week to talk about the evolving role of parents and families in the higher education journey. Drawing on new survey data from more than 43,000 family members, they explore how institutions can better support student success by delivering timely, relevant information and embracing parents as partners throughout enrollment, persistence, and beyo...

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Nick Ladany to the show, President of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) and previous Enrollify Hall of Famer . He shares what it takes to fundamentally rethink higher education for today's learners. Dr. Ladany explains SFBU's student-centered approach to affordability, accelerated degree pathways, wraparound support services, and faculty development before diving in...

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, we speak with Laura Beth of CLYDE about how AI is reshaping higher education marketing, communications, and public relations. They discuss why institutions need to rethink their websites as content engines for generating perception by AI rather than just destinations for human visitors. Laura Beth also shares how earned media, pr...

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Dustin chats with Toni Marie Perilli from Fordham University about why retention marketing deserves a seat alongside enrollment and advancement as a core strategy for student success. They explore how institutions can better connect students with the resources, people, and opportunities already available to them by creating more...

For this week's episode, Dustin speaks with Jenny Maxwell of Superhuman about the evolving relationship between AI and academic integrity in higher education. They explore how institutions can move beyond viewing AI as a threat and instead embrace more transparent, collaborative approaches that help students learn with AI while maintaining trust, accountability, and meaningful assessment practices...

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Audrey Ward from Ologie joins the show to discuss how higher education marketers can navigate the AI era without losing the authenticity that makes their institutions stand out. She shares her perspective on how AI is changing search, content strategy, and digital visibility, while arguing that the fundamentals of great marketing...

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Nathan Monk from Prospectus Plus jumps on to talk about why the traditional college viewbook is overdue for a digital transformation. They explore how personalized, interactive digital publications can better engage prospective students, alumni, and other audiences while providing institutions with valuable insights into what con...

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Dustin speaks with Dan Desrochers of Amherst College about what it means to serve as an embedded communications leader within student affairs and why context, process, and strong relationships are essential to effective higher education marketing. They discuss the value of building thoughtful communication strategies, leveraging...

This week, Dustin chats with Dr. Dave Duke , Chief Product Officer at McGraw Hill , about how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and academic integrity in higher education. He highlights some new product developments for their learning tools as well as the recently released Sharpen Advantage .  Drawing on his background in psychology and product design, Dave explores how students make rational de...

This week we’re pleased to speak with Dr. Cristi Ford , Chief Learning Officer at D2L , about the evolving role of learning management systems in an AI-driven world. They explore how the LMS has grown from a simple repository for content into a broader learning ecosystem, and why institutions must rethink not just the technology they use, but how learning is designed, assessed, and supported. Gues...

This week, we spoke with Joe Abraham of Intellicampus about the growing challenge of system fragmentation in higher education and why institutions must rethink their digital infrastructure in the age of AI. Joe recently contributed to articles on this topic in both Inside Higher Ed and Innovatus . They explore how disconnected systems, expanding SaaS ecosystems, and siloed data create operational...

e welcome Drew Lurker to the podcast this week from CollegeSource . We discuss the evolving landscape of transfer credit evaluation, articulation agreements, and degree attainment in higher education. They explore how institutions are using technology, shared data systems, and statewide transfer initiatives to create more transparent, consistent, and student-centered pathways—while also reducing a...

We’re pleased to share this bonus episode with Alex Russo recorded on site at the recent Engage Summit in Charlotte. He details the digital transformation journey his institution has been on evolving from hard copy processes to more modern, automated outreach for current and prospective students. Many thanks to Element451 for convening this great event and supporting the Enrollify Podcast Zone! Gu...