In this episode, I’m speaking with Dustin Ramsdell, host of The Higher Ed Geek Podcast. The Higher Ed Geek explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. We are extending that conversation to the Next Practices Podcast as we think about ways to use technology to streamline the student experience.

In our conversation, we discuss interesting trends Dustin is seeing in his conversations with higher ed leaders, common challenges, and interesting ways institutions can leverage data and technology to streamline and ease the student experience. Dustin's expertise sheds light on emerging trends, such as the growing importance of partnerships in higher education, and the innovative approaches institutions are taking to address student needs. We explore the critical challenge of student awareness and how technology can bridge the gap, ensuring students are informed about available resources. Moreover, we uncover the diverse challenges and barriers institutions face, emphasizing the importance of a tailored approach that aligns with each institution's unique culture. From empowering students to equipping support staff with the necessary tools, we examine the pivotal role of a cohesive digital ecosystem in fostering student success.

[2:14] - Dustin shares his background and how he found himself in his current career.

[5:26] - Dustin has always been drawn to the student experience side of things.

[7:40] - There is a unique opportunity to create pathways for students that are accessible and provide relevant and engaging skills.

[10:36] - One trendline that is up and coming is partnerships.

[13:11] - There are a lot of different things that institutions and technology companies are doing to streamline the student experience.

[16:16] - A big concern is lack of student awareness of resources and things going on around campus.

[18:20] - Challenges and barriers may vary per institution and campus culture.

[20:32] - Some students don’t know the questions to ask.

[23:03] - There are a lot of staff and faculty to help students, but technology is an essential tool in tackling student success challenges.

[26:27] - Both for the student experience and the experience of support staff, there needs to be a cohesive digital ecosystem.

[29:06] - How can we get staff across an entire institution on the same page and leverage the tools they have?

[31:17] - Base everything on best practices, but be flexible for your unique institution’s culture.

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