The Signal

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eytan Wurman, founder of Common Time Pathways, to explore the untapped potential of music in college admissions. A former music teacher turned entrepreneur, Eytan reveals how his platform is bridging the gap between student musicians and $5 billion in overlooked scholarships—more than athletic scholarships combined. From debunking...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Chase Williams, CEO and co-founder of Pathify, to explore how modern digital engagement platforms are transforming the fragmented student experience. Born out of Chase’s own frustrations as a student at Monash University, Pathify has grown into a global solution serving nearly 250 institutions by consolidating communication, tasks...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Cabrini Pak—professor, interdisciplinary scholar, and systems thinker—to explore how cutting-edge concepts like stigmergy (a cybernetic coordination mechanism) and AI can transform higher education. With degrees in biology, theology, business, and cultural studies, Dr. Pak bridges gaps between disciplines, offering fresh insig...

In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ashley Budd, Director of Digital Marketing at Cornell University, to explore the evolving landscape of university marketing and alumni engagement. With over a decade of experience at Cornell, Ashley shares insights into how digital innovation has transformed alumni outreach, the surprising power of email in fundraising, and the de...

In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Sana Remekie, CEO of Conscia and a pioneer in composable digital experiences, to explore how universities can break free from legacy systems and embrace AI-driven agility. From her roots in enterprise search architecture to building Conscia’s "DXGraph" for unified data, Sana reveals why higher ed must adopt omni-channel strategies...

In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon chats with Corey Reed, Director of Web Management at TCU, about bridging the gap between marketing and IT in higher ed’s digital landscape. From his early days designing Flash websites (RIP) to leading TCU’s search optimization and accessibility efforts, Corey shares how his hospitality tech background translates to campus—and why AI-powered ana...

In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Bao Johri, CIO at Fresno State and 2025 Top Women Leader in Technology, to explore how universities can harness AI as a force for equity and transformation. From launching Fresno State’s campus-wide AI initiative (with 60+ faculty collaborators) to mentoring the next generation of IT leaders, Bao shares how her research on Hmo...

In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jill Whitaker, Director of Web Services at Southern Utah University, to explore the evolving landscape of higher ed website management. With 25 years of experience, Jill shares candid insights on balancing short-term fixes with long-term strategy (inspired by her half-marathon coaching!), wrangling 100+ content editors, and champi...

In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon chats with Jennie Wong, Global Director of Education at Slalom, about how universities can harness AI and data to drive strategic value. Jennie shares her innovative "car metaphor" framework for AI implementation, reveals surprising GenAI use cases, and explains why federated data models are the future for higher ed. From overcoming institutional...

In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Alexander "Sasha" Sidorkin, Chief AI Officer at Sacramento State University, to explore the transformative impact of AI on education.  From debunking myths about AI replacing teachers to discussing practical applications in the classroom, Sasha shares his insights as an "AI realist."  Tune in to learn how AI is reshaping learn...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Gemma Garcia, Executive Director of Learning Technology at Arizona State University, to explore how ASU is leading the charge in scalable digital learning innovation.  With over 130,000 learners worldwide, Gemma shares insights on balancing bold experimentation with practical implementation, fostering faculty adoption of new techn...

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Brian Piper, Director of Content Strategy at the University of Rochester and author of Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education, to explore how AI is transforming content creation and audience engagement in higher ed.  Brian shares practical insights on building AI-driven personas, repurposing content at scale, and overcoming in...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jennifer Lonchar, founder of AmbioEdu, to explore how streaming TV is revolutionizing higher ed marketing. Jennifer shares her journey from traditional digital marketing to pioneering performance-based TV advertising for colleges and universities.  Discover how AmbioEdu ‘s cutting-edge platform targets households with unskippable...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Lee Rainie, Director of Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, to explore the transformative impact of AI on higher education. They delve into groundbreaking research on how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and academic integrity, uncovering surprising divides among educators—half of whom see AI as a tool for cr...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jeff Rubenstein , Chief Product Officer at doowii and a seasoned leader in educational technology with experience at Google, 2U, and Kaltura. They dive into the transformative power of AI-driven data analytics in education, exploring how doowii’s platform turns fragmented student data into actionable insights—without requiring a t...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Saugata Chatterjee , an AI and machine learning expert with a background in theoretical physics and corporate AI strategy. Saugata shares his journey from academia to leading AI initiatives at major companies like Apple and Cisco, and now at Tensor Product and is the host of the Machine Learning Made Simple podcast. They dive into...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Will Noble , an expert in digital content solutions and SaaS sales, to explore the challenges and opportunities in higher education content creation. Will shares his journey from information retrieval to content creation, discussing why universities still rely on outdated formats like PDFs and how Foleon provides a modern alternat...

In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Georgy Cohen , Vice President of Digital Strategy at OHO Interactive.  With nearly two decades of experience in digital content and strategy, Georgie shares her insights on crafting sustainable digital strategies that resonate with audiences and drive institutional success. From her early days in journalism at the Boston Globe to...

Show Notes In this episode of the EdTech Connect Podcast, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Phil Hill, a prominent figure in the EdTech consulting world.  Phil shares his journey from starting out in EdTech consulting nearly 25 years ago to becoming a well-known market analyst and thought leader in the industry. They dive into the evolution of Learning Management Systems (LMS), the impact of AI on e...

Join us for a conversation with Kimberly Verstandig, Vice President for Fundraising and Senior Strategist at Mackey Strategies, as she shares her wealth of experience in higher education advancement.  In this episode, Kimberly takes us through her journey into the world of fundraising, highlighting the transformative role technology has played in reshaping donor engagement and institutional advanc...

In this episode, we sit down with Maya Demishkovich, a seasoned higher education marketing strategist, to explore the rapidly changing world of digital marketing and student engagement. Maya shares her expertise on how students search for information today and why it’s critical for colleges and universities to optimize their websites for search engines to stay competitive. From the power of social...

In this episode, Jeff Dillon sits down with Cheryl Broom, a leader in higher education marketing, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of marketing strategies within academia. Cheryl delves into how colleges and universities are adapting to new trends, the transformative role of technology and AI, and the critical importance of personalization in engaging today’s students. From the challenges...

Joel Goodman, founder of Bravery Media, discusses his journey in higher education marketing, the evolution of digital strategies, and the importance of user experience and content in driving enrollment.  He emphasizes the need for higher ed institutions to understand the value of their websites and the role of AI in enhancing marketing efforts. Joel also highlights the challenges faced by higher e...

In this episode, Jeff Dillon interviews Pete Mackey, PhD, founder and CEO of Mackey Strategies, exploring the intersection of strategic communications and technology in higher education.  They discuss the evolution of Mackey Strategies, the integration of technology in communication strategies, the role of AI, crisis communication, and the ethical implications of AI in the field. The conversation...

In this conversation, Eric Smith, Vice President of Technical Services Delivery at Fortify Data, discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in higher education. He shares insights from his extensive experience across various industries, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by higher ed institutions.  The discussion covers Fortify Data's mission to provide continuous risk assessment and t...