The Signal

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...

In this conversation, Dr. Jenae Cohn discusses her extensive experience at the intersection of higher education and technology, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by digital reading and generative AI.  She emphasizes the importance of adapting teaching methods to meet the needs of students who engage with texts in diverse ways, particularly in the context of AI's growing presen...

In this conversation, Jeff Saville discusses his journey in workforce development and career services, emphasizing the importance of empowering students through innovative programs and technology.   He shares insights on leveraging AI and other tools to enhance career readiness and the challenges faced by higher education institutions in adapting to the rapidly changing job market. The discussion...

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape,  Teri Abbo-Sutherland , Director of Executive Programs Oakland University, is rewriting the rules of professional development. Her breakthrough insights argue that micro credentials—bite-sized, skill-specific certifications—are becoming the new currency of career advancement. Traditional four-year degrees are no longer enough, Sutherland contends. In an age...

In this episode, Jeff Dillon is joined by Nick Burrell, VP of Strategic Partnerships at ZogoTech, a company specializing in data analytics solutions designed to empower higher education. With a wealth of expertise in educational technology and artificial intelligence, Nick shares his insights on the evolving role of AI in education, particularly in content management and student engagement. He dis...

In this episode, Jeff Dillon is joined by Josh Koenig, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Pantheon, a WebOps platform transforming how website teams deliver exceptional digital experiences. With over two decades of experience in web development and online engagement, Josh shares his incredible journey—from his early days building political campaign platforms like DeanSpace for Howard Dean’s...

In this conversation, Justin Menard, CEO of ListEdTech, shares his extensive experience in educational technology and the evolution of data usage in higher education. He discusses the importance of data in decision-making for institutions and vendors, the challenges of categorizing educational technology, and the impact of AI on the industry. Justin emphasizes the value of peer insights in tech ad...

In this podcast episode, Jeff Dillon interviews Meredith Bailey, founder and CEO of StreamWork, a platform designed to enhance collaboration in online learning and higher education. Meredith shares her journey from working at tech giants like Google and Apple to founding StreamWork, driven by her desire to streamline creative collaboration.  The conversation explores how StreamWork bridges the gap...

In this episode, Jeff Dillon dives into a compelling conversation with Kat Liendgens , CEO of Hannon Hill, exploring the transformative journey of content management systems (CMS) in higher education. Kat reveals her path into the tech industry, sharing both the obstacles she encountered and the opportunities that arose. Together, they examine the evolving landscape of user expectations and emergi...