Higher Ed AV Podcast with Joe Way

In this upbeat floor interview, Jim Kidwell from Audinate joins the HETMA crew to talk about the expansion of the Dante platform beyond audio and into video with Dante AV. He discusses what it means for higher ed users, highlights the new AVIO Install Adapters, and reflects on the importance of real-world interoperability and feedback from the higher ed community. The conversation is casual, techn...

Chuck Espinoza brings high energy and clarity to this early-morning InfoComm interview, recorded pre-show floor opening at the Camp HETMA booth. As Aurora’s Global Director of Education, Chuck talks about ReAX control, Smart Speak voice integration, and how Aurora trains and supports higher ed teams around AV-over-IP. It’s less a pitch and more a conversation between educators, with lots of humor...

John Hulen joins the podcast from the always-busy Crestron booth to talk about their 2025 InfoComm presence and strategy. He covers the booth’s improved design, new additions to the DM NVX product line (including a four-input encoder/decoder), and Crestron’s focus on helping schools migrate to IP-based infrastructure without unnecessary friction. The interview is energetic, focused, and tuned to t...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Lisle Waldron, Erin Maher-Moran, Ann Kelly, and BC Hatchett on the show, live from the HETMA booth on the InfoComm show floor. They discuss their top takeaways from the week from the higher ed point of view. What were the best events, products, and offerings, for 2025? Watch and listen! Connect with Joe Way: Web:  https://www.josiahway.com Li...

In this final installment of our four-part series sponsored by Korbyt, guest host Britt Yenser leads a dynamic and thoughtful conversation on the importance of accessibility in campus digital signage. Joined by Travis Kemp and Donovan Monday, the episode dives deep into practical strategies, common pitfalls, and the human impact of inclusive AV design. From accessible templates to collaborative co...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Dave Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, the company responsible for the InfoComm show. They discuss what’s happening with this year’s show, what impact we’re seeing in the industry, and tips on how to have a successful event. Watch and listen! Find HETMA on the show floor at booth #4887. Use code “HETMA” for a free show floor pass and https://www.infoco...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Troy Powers (HETMA Vice-Chair), Teddy Murphy (HETMA 1-Year At-Large BoD, and Ann Kelly (Events Chair) to the podcast to preview #InfoComm25 for the higher ed vertical. They cover the HETMA Education Summit (June 9-10), Higher Ed AV Awards (June 9), the show floor booth (#4887), show floor tours, the Higher Ed AV happy hours (2-4pm everyday),...

What do you do when your classroom tech needs a refresh, but your budget is running on fumes? In this episode, guest host Britt Yenser leads an energetic and insightful conversation with BC Hatchett and Kaleo Lee on how to modernize campus technology—without breaking the bank. From data-driven decision-making and creative funding strategies to the power of partnerships and the value of “fun” in AV...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes James Scoggins, Media Technology Specialist at Grayson College, to the show. James discusses his role within the small but mights team serving the campus community and how his role encompasses expanding IT areas (like Zoom administration). They continue to discuss how the HETMA and higher education community is key in professional growth and...

Beyond the Lecture Hall:  Enhancing Student Engagement with Digital Signage & Interactive Tech – How dynamic AV/IT tools are reshaping student communication and engagement. In this special episode of the Higher Ed AV Podcast , guest host Britt Yenser takes the mic for the second episode of a four part Korbyt-sponsored series exploring the evolving world of digital signage in higher education....

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Melis Vardar, Manager of AV/IT Operations at UCLA, to the show, who was recently named to the 2025 Class of SCN's "The Nine." They discuss how Melis found herself in the AV industry, how her career growth informs the way she leads her department, and her current role on campus. They also discuss the importance of seeing AV with a business min...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Jon Youse, Director of Educational Technology Support and Operations at Ivy Tech Community College, to the show. They discuss how Jon manages multiple departments, the connection between them, and how his career path and experience as an adjunct faculty helps to inform his leadership. They also discuss how Jon's involvement in HETMA has helpe...

In this first episode of a special four-part series sponsored by Korbyt, guest host Britt Yenser dives into the evolving world of digital signage and smart campus communication. Joining Britt are Max Guerrero, Bill Fons, Lex Evans, and Erik DeGiorgi. Together, they explore: -How QR code surveys drive real-time feedback and boost student engagement. -The game-changing potential of smart playlists t...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Aaron Baker, Classroom Support Technician at Stephen F. Austin Univeristy, to the show. They discuss Aaron's career growth, the "do it all" mentality of their three-person team, his involvement in HETMA and the AV community, and how they go about picking the most appropriate technologies for every space (hint: it's not only about standardizat...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Jay Lyons, Product Manager, Mobility EDU, at Logitech to the show. They discuss the changes, trends, and challenges facing instiutions as they approach designing and installing for active learning and hybrid spaces. They talk about supporting solutions in scale and taking away the roadblocks that many faculty face. Jay shares how his role as...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Sahil Dhingra, Co-founder and Co-CEO, of XTEN-AV to the show. They discuss design and tech trends impacting higher ed, AI, virtual reality, and exciting upcoming announcements. Also, make sure to listen through for their thoughs on the future of AI. Is it going to steal your job? Is it going to create smart robots that will take over the worl...

This week on the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Ace Hazziez to the show. Ace is a recent graduate of the YearUp program as an intern at Northwestern University. His experience made him fall in love with the AV industry and make it his future. Joe and Ace discuss the experience, lessons learned, and path for entry into the industy. Watch and listen! (Oh, and AV integrators in Chicago... hir...

The seventh HETMA Virtual Conference was a huge success and that's a testament to all our members, both in higher ed and our corporate partners. To kick it off, Joe Way talks with the board of directors on how they have seen the organization develop, the current state, and the future ahead. Take a listen! Connect with Joe Way: Web:  https://www.josiahway.com LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/...

Integrated Systems Europe 2025 was one for the books! The best one yet. Joe Way interviews Hunter Stacey, Teddy Murphy, Melis Vardar, Troy Powers, and Erin Maher-Moran, hearing their takeaways and best part of their experience. What were the best technologies and events from a higher ed point-of-view? Take a listen and follow #ISE2025 and #ISEConnectionRestored! Follow HETMA's ISE coverage at: htt...

HETMA would like to thank XTEN for sponsoring us during ISE 2025! XTEN-AV offers innovative software solutions designed to streamline AV design, proposal creation, and project management. Their platform provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including design templates, automated documentation, and real-time collaboration features, all accessible via the cloud. During ISE 2025, they were at 5L100...

HETMA would like to thank Symetrix for sponsoring us during ISE 2025! Symetrix specializes in professional audio hardware, software, and AV control systems, delivering innovative solutions for diverse applications. Their products are designed to provide flexibility, powerful performance, and superior sound quality, reflecting over four decades of expertise in the industry.  During ISE 2025, they w...

HETMA would like to thank Audinate for sponsoring us during ISE 2025! Audinate is a leading provider of professional digital audio networking technologies, specializing in the development of Dante, a platform that distributes uncompressed, multi-channel digital audio over standard Ethernet networks. Dante enables seamless interoperability between audio devices, offering high-quality, flexible solu...

HETMA would like to thank Screenbeam for sponsoring us during ISE 2025! ScreenBeam provides advanced wireless collaboration solutions designed to streamline content sharing and enhance engagement in both corporate and educational environments. Their technology enables seamless, app-free wireless display and collaborative features, making it easier for teams to connect, share, and present content f...

HETMA would like to thank Panopto for sponsoring us during ISE 2025! Panopto is a dynamic platform designed to revolutionize the way organizations create, manage, and share video content. With a focus on educational institutions and businesses, Panopto empowers users to easily record, stream, and store high-quality videos in a secure, searchable cloud library. Featuring powerful AI tools, users ca...

HETMA would like to thank Nureva for sponsoring us during ISE 2025! Nureva is an innovator in audio and video conferencing solutions, known for its cutting-edge technology that delivers clear, full-room sound without the complexity of traditional setups. Their intelligent audio systems ensure effortless collaboration in meeting rooms and classrooms of all sizes, creating a seamless communication e...