The Higher Ed Geek Podcast Live at Engage Summit 2025: Exploring South Carolina’s Bold Digital Shift for Scaling Scholarship Access
In this final episode recorded live from the Engage 2025 Summit, Dustin spoke with Tanya Weigold and Kathryn Harris from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. They shared how their small team is using Element451 and AI agents to scale support for thousands of South Carolina students. From transforming an admissions platform into a scholarship gateway to increasing FAFSA completion rates, their story is proof that curiosity, collaboration, and courage go a long way in driving digital transformation.
Guest Names:
Kathryn Harris, Program Manager, Scholarships and Grants at South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Tanya Weigold, Program Coordinator, Scholarships and Grants at South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Guest Bios:
Kathryn Harris is a seasoned program and operations manager with over 15 years of experience in higher education and state government. As Scholarship & Grants Program Manager at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, she oversees the administration of more than $160 million in state-funded aid, leads cross-agency initiatives, and supports legislative reporting and policy implementation. Katie is committed to streamlining processes, improving student access, and using data to drive meaningful change in education. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and is currently pursuing the Certified Public Manager credential through the State of South Carolina.
Tanya Weigold is a Program Coordinator at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE), where she oversees several key state financial aid programs, including the Lottery Tuition Assistance Program, DAYCO Scholarship, Scholarship Enhancement Program, and the Scholarship Appeals process. With over seven years at CHE and a background in TRIO and campus life, Tanya brings a student-centered approach to her work. She also manages the knowledge base for the agency’s CRM system, ensuring consistent, up-to-date information is shared across platforms. Tanya holds an MBA in Leadership from Adams State University and is passionate about using technology to modernize processes, improve communication, and increase retention among South Carolina’s college students.
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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
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