The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

In this special live episode recorded at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, Dustin chats with Shane about his journey into podcasting as well as the importance of cross-campus partnerships. Shane shares actionable insights on how to break down silos in higher education. and highlights successful collaborations that have made a significant impact on his campus. Guest Name: Shane Baglini, Senior...

This week, Dustin chats with Kayvon Touran , CEO and co-founder of Zal.ai . Kayvon shares his journey in early-stage tech startups and the inspiration behind creating Zal.ai, a platform that uses AI to provide contextualized, personalized assessments for learning and development. They discuss the importance of AI in enhancing both higher education and workforce development, focusing on the potenti...

In this Bonus announcement, join Mallory, Chief Strategist of Enrollify, as she introduces the newly relaunched  Enrollify.org . This episode highlights the fresh features and content now available on the site, emphasizing Enrollify’s commitment to revolutionizing higher education. Learn about the variety of resources—from podcasts to ourses to webinars—that can help professionals make impactful c...

We’re proud this week to feature Natalie Furlett and Will Brummett from Campus Compact , an organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement in higher education. Natalie and Will discuss their roles and share the impactful work Campus Compact does to support student and institutional outcomes. They explore the importance of student voice, community engagement, and the positive effects of these...

In this episode recorded live in Austin at SXSW EDU 2024, Dustin chats with Eva about the work her and her team at Capital IDEA do to support diverse learners achieve careers in fields like healthcare and tech. She explains the nuances of how to personalize each student’s experience to set them on a path for success.   Guest Name: Eva Rios-Lleverino, Deputy Executive Director at Capital IDEA Guest...

In this episode recorded live in Austin at SXSW EDU 2024, Dustin speaks with Carl about his work building Construct Education into one of the world’s leading digital learning companies and what he sees on the horizon for higher education.  Guest Name: Carl Dawson - Co-Founder & CEO North America at Construct Education  Guest Social Handles: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Carl Dawson co-founded Construct Educ...

In this episode recorded live in Austin at SXSW EDU 2024, Dustin speaks with Juanita about her efforts to bridge gaps between work, learning, technology, and the social good. She shares details about the collaboration between edX and Verizon as an example of leveraging corporate partners and education technology to address systemic issues.   Guest Name: Juanita Soranno - Vice President, Global Soc...

In this episode recorded live in Austin at SXSW EDU 2024, Dustin chats with Terah about her commitment to supporting stop out students all over the country. She details the urgency of this issue and the methods for higher education to address it. Guest Name: Terah Crews, CEO at ReUp Education Guest Social Handles:  LinkedIn Guest Bio: Terah is the CEO of ReUp Education, the national leader in serv...

In this episode recorded live in Austin at SXSW EDU 2024, Dustin chats with Don about the unique work of the Education Design Lab and their approach to help build a smarter ecosystem that better serves the needs of learners, employers, and institutions. Guest Name: Don Fraser, Senior Vice President of Design & Innovation at the Education Design Lab Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: As the Educatio...

We’re pleased to have Dave Cormier , author of “ Learning in a Time of Abundance, ” on the show this week to explore the transformative shifts in education driven by digital abundance and technological advancements. Dave, with his extensive background in educational technology and a pioneering role in the development of MOOCs, delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by the current e...

In this compelling episode, Dustin is joined by Greg Clayton from EducationDynamics to discuss the rapidly changing world of higher education, particularly focusing on enrollment management and admissions. Recorded in March 2024, amidst significant shifts due to Supreme Court decisions, changes in FAFSA processes, and the looming election, this conversation sheds light on the challenges and opport...

In this captivating discussion recorded live at the ASU+GSV AIR Show , Katy Kappler , co-founder and CEO of InScribe , shares her journey founding InScribe which is a platform dedicated to creating vibrant digital communities that support diverse student populations. She gives her insights on the critical role of human connection in online education and explores the potential and challenges of int...

Don Orth shares with Dustin his journey going from a K-12 educator to a leader in adult higher education, emphasizing the innovative approach at his institution. Recorded live at the ASU GSV Air Show, Don discusses Calbright's mission to empower adult learners through innovative, accessible online programs. He highlights how AI is integrated into the educational process, enhancing personalized lea...

In this engaging episode recorded live at the ASU+GSV AIR Show , Jared Stein shares insights into the transformative potential and current challenges of artificial intelligence in education. With a rich background in launching successful online education programs, founding and leading Rarebird Ed Tech , and a deep understanding of the higher ed landscape, Jared shares his unique insights on how in...

In this insightful episode, Dustin sits down with Dr. Jennifer King from Bisk to explore how institutions can support greater workforce development. Focusing on the evolution and maturation of digital education, they explore how institutions can navigate a continuously changing landscape to better align with workforce needs. Dr. King shares her extensive experience and discusses Bisk’s strategic p...

We’re thrilled to share this compelling live discussion with Elizabeth Reilley and Amanda Gulley from Arizona State University, recorded at the inaugural ASU+GSV AIR Show . This episode dives into ASU's pioneering AI projects , exploring how AI technology is reshaping student and faculty experiences at ASU and beyond. Discover how ASU leverages AI for impactful educational innovations and communit...

In this bonus episode, Dustin chats with Ardis to dive into their anticipation and respective plans for the upcoming ASU+GSV AIR Show . They discuss Element451's advancements in AI tools for education, reflect on their experiences with AI, and the evolution of the ASU+GSV Summit . Ardis shares his excitement around showcasing the developments happening at Element451 to a wider audience, while Dust...

Amy Smith from StraighterLine discusses the organization's innovative approach to making higher education more accessible, affordable, and flexible. With a focus on serving a diverse range of learners, from high school students to working adults, StraighterLine offers online courses that help bridge gaps in traditional education systems. Amy explains how StraighterLine partners with institutions t...

Ryan Craig, managing director at Achieve Partners, joins us to discuss the transformative power of apprenticeships in reshaping the American workforce. Through an engaging conversation, Ryan unveils the concept of his recent book, "Apprentice Nation," which advocates for a significant expansion of apprenticeship programs as a solution to the skills and experience gaps plaguing the current job mark...

Michael D. Smith shares profound insights on the digital transformation of higher education, emphasizing the moral and social justice aspects intertwined with technological disruption. Drawing parallels between higher education and other industries, he advocates for a shift from preserving traditional models to focusing on missions that align with societal needs and technological advancements. The...

In a candid discussion with Bill Coplin, we dive deep into the critical examination of the liberal arts education model. Bill shares his journey from being disillusioned with traditional education pathways to pioneering a skills-focused approach at Syracuse University. This episode sheds light on the importance of experiential learning, the pitfalls of a scholar-focused system, and the need for hi...

In this enlightening conversation with Rebecca Agostino , VP of Learning at Multiverse , we delve into the transformative potential of apprenticeships in higher education and workforce development. Rebecca shares her journey from the K-12 sector to championing apprenticeships, offering insights into how these programs provide rigorous, joyful, and career-defining opportunities that traditional col...

In this week’s special episode, we’re bringing you a live discussion our host, Dustin, moderated at the recent Times Higher Education Student Success Summit . The panelists discussed how adult learners are enrolling in higher education in record numbers, and the looming enrollment cliff is predicted to put more pressure on colleges to enroll working learners. Adults often require different kinds a...

In another Enrollify Podcast Network crossover, Day joins Dustin to reflect on her amazing inaugural season of Talking Tactics and discuss what is to come in the year ahead. She also talks about her work at Ologie and teases her upcoming book all about email . Guest Name: Day Kibilds - Strategy Director at Ologie Guest Social Handle: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Day is strategy director at Ologie, an emplo...

Arina joins Dustin to share her perspective on how institutions can better lay out pathways from work to college and vice versa. She has examined the landscape thoroughly to find several gaps in how organizations work to support learners who have earned the increasingly complex world of microcredentials. Guest Name: Arina Berezovsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Let Me Graduate Guest Social Handle: Linke...