The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

In this episode, Scott Marshall, President & CEO of Semester at Sea, joins the show to discuss the transformative power of study abroad. Scott shares his personal journey from faculty member to leading one of the most unique global education programs, including navigating the challenges of the pandemic. He also dives into the importance of experiential learning, the role of study abroad in student...

In this episode, Dustin sits down with Drs. LeeAnn Lindsey and Chad Geston of the Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy for a powerful conversation on how AI is reshaping the entire P-20 landscape—from K-12 to higher ed to workforce development. You’ll hear why Arizona has taken a leadership role in AI education, how schools can prepare for what's coming, and why higher ed can’t afford t...

In this energizing live episode, Dustin chats with Brian LeDuc—consultant, design strategist, and founder of Learning, Designed—about what it really takes to make higher ed more human-centered in an AI-drenched era. From the UC San Diego Design Lab to his own EDUxDesign Fellowship, Brian shares tangible ways schools can move beyond best practices and toward meaningful, student-first innovation. Sp...

In this special live episode from the AI Show at the ASU+GSV Summit , Dustin sits down with Alejandra Acosta —Chief of Staff at JK K-12 and a longtime higher ed veteran—to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education. But here’s the twist: it’s not just about tech. It’s about grounding innovation in human connection, staying true to institutional values, and using AI to spark the kin...

In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU , Dustin chats with Annie Chechitelli , Chief Product Officer at Turnitin . Annie shares the exciting launch of Turnitin Clarity , a new tool designed to support both educators and students in navigating AI’s role in academic writing. From AI detection to responsible AI use in the classroom, this conversation unpacks the evolving challenges and...

In this live episode from Transact 360 , we talk with Don Smith , General Manager of Integrated Payments at Transact , about the rapid evolution of student payments. Don shares insights on how unified payment systems improve the student experience, the growing demand for financial flexibility, and how institutions can remove friction from the payment process. We also explore AI, embedded finance,...

In this episode, Brady Colby , a market research expert at Validated Insights , joins the podcast to break down their latest report on the Online Program Management (OPM) market . Brady shares key insights on how institutions are moving away from revenue-share OPM models in favor of fee-for-service partnerships, why colleges now have more control over their online programs, and what this means for...

In this special live episode from Transact 360 , we sit down with Taran Lent , SVP of Product Development and Technology at Transact . Taran shares insights on how cloud migration is transforming campus operations, why user experience is more critical than ever, and the role of biometrics and AI in the future of higher ed tech. He also reflects on lessons learned as an entrepreneur and how institu...

What if you could get the benefits of an OPM (Online Program Management) model without fully outsourcing control? That’s exactly what Augusta University Online did with its DIY+ approach in partnership with Collegis Education . In this episode, Cristina Raecke , Assistant Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Enrollment at Augusta University Online, and Dan Antonson , AVP of Analytics and Tech...

In this bonus episode recorded at Transact 360 , we’re hearing from a variety of individuals who attended the conference about what they were seeing, hearing, and excited about from this year’s event. Here is everyone showcased: James Loveland, Southern Utah University Erica Rigler, Assa Abloy Daniel Piotrowski, The Johns Hopkins University Abby Harris, Jenzabar Jason Colucci, Cleveland State Univ...

Higher ed is at a crossroads, and Christine Looser is here to challenge institutions to rethink everything—from curriculum design to digital transformation. As a cognitive neuroscientist and Senior Director at Minerva Project , Christine helps universities craft student learning experiences that are relevant, effective, and experiential. In this episode, she and Dustin dive into the intersection o...

Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, joins Dustin for a candid conversation about the urgent need for higher ed to take a proactive role in shaping the future workforce. From talent shortages to AI’s impact on job readiness, Bridget shares why hope isn’t a strategy—and what institutions must do to stay ahead. She challenges universities to work together, rethink traditiona...

This week, Dustin sits down with Dr. Keith Edwards , a speaker, author, coach , and co-host of Student Affairs Now , to discuss the urgent need for transformational leadership in higher education. With the pace of change accelerating, institutions can no longer rely on outdated models of leadership. Keith shares powerful insights on why leaders must move beyond transactional thinking, embrace adap...

Dustin chats with Dr. Paul Gordon Brown for this week’s episode, an expert in residence life technology and thought leadership, to explore how digital tools are reshaping the residential education experience . As the co-founder of Roompact , Paul shares insights on the evolution of res life tech , why AI is often misused in higher ed, and the importance of thoughtful, intentional technology adopti...

This week, Dustin sits down with Dr. Pamela Ellis to discuss how students and families can navigate the complex college admissions process with confidence. Drawing from her vast experience, Dr. Ellis shares insights on what truly makes a college the “right fit,” why independence is a key motivator for students, and how institutions can better support student success. From debunking myths about the...

How do you get alumni to actually engage? It’s the million-dollar question for higher ed advancement teams—and today, we’ve got answers. In this week’s episode, Ryan Catherwood , Senior Vice President at Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting (CMAC), Senior Consultant at Washburn & McGoldrick , and host of the Alumless podcast joins Dustin to break down the evolving landscape of digital alumni enga...

In this episode, Dustin chats with Kate DeForest , Web and Digital Content Coordinator at SUNY Oswego , about the importance of digital accessibility in higher education. Kate shares her journey into accessibility work, the transformative lessons she’s learned along the way, and practical strategies for making these improvements less overwhelming. From leveraging James Clear’s Atomic Habits to lau...

In this eye-opening episode, Dustin chats with Brian Suponcic, Senior Vice President of Sales and Client Operations at BMTX, about the growing issue of enrollment fraud and its ripple effects on higher education institutions. From the rise of "ghost students" to the role of AI in both perpetrating and preventing fraud, Brian shares actionable insights for tackling these challenges head-on. Whether...

This week, Dustin is joined by Julian Alssid and Kaitlin LeMoine , founders of Work Forces , about the evolving landscape of workforce development and higher education's critical role in preparing learners for career success. Julian and Kaitlin share their wealth of experience in bridging education, industry, and government partnerships to close skill gaps and create sustainable, scalable programs...

In this episode, Dustin sits down with Dr. Michael Horowitz , Founder and Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System , to discuss the transformative power of collaboration in higher education. Dr. Horowitz shares updates on the system's expansion, its innovative governance model, and the critical role of shared infrastructure in fostering growth. Together, they explore how partnerships,...

For our kickoff episode of 2025, Dustin sits down with Rob Buelow , General Manager of Education at Vector Solutions , to unpack the seismic shifts in higher education over recent years, including financial aid disruptions and the rollback of affirmative action. Rob dives deep into the challenges—and opportunities—that are reshaping the sector. He also shares some recent research out of Vector mea...

This week, Dustin welcomes back Bill Zimmerman , a communications professor at Penn State and author of the new book, Understanding the Creator Economy , to discuss the transformative impact of the creator economy on higher education. They explore why understanding and supporting content creation is crucial for higher ed institutions—from improving student engagement to innovative marketing strate...

We’re pleased to feature this conversation with podcasting veteran and seasoned educator Bonnie Stachowiak, host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, about the power of teaching, creativity, and vulnerability. Bonnie shares insights from over a decade of podcasting and reflects on how curiosity and empathy drive her approach to teaching. They discuss the evolving role of AI in education, how inst...

Got a story to tell? An innovative idea to share? Fill out our guest nomination form , and let's chat! This week, Dustin chats with Rasheed Behrooznia , Senior Vice President and General Manager at Transact , who discusses the game-changing role of digital student IDs in higher education. Rasheed shares how Transact’s pioneering work on mobile credentials has transformed campus operations, enhance...

Dustin sat down with Joel Podolny , CEO of Honor Education , to discuss his journey from founding Apple University to pioneering a new approach to digital education. Joel reflects on the importance of human connection in learning and how asynchronous tools can elevate collaborative experiences. He emphasizes that technology should enhance, not replace, the social and emotional dynamics of educatio...