EdTech Connect

Jeff Dillon
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Dec 5, 2025 • 29min

Mariah Tang: Why Storytelling Still Wins in the Age of AI

Jeff Dillon and Mariah Tang dive deep into the philosophy that content marketing is more about people than platforms. Mariah explains the critical mindset shift marketers need to make—from creating generic "AI slop" to crafting content that uniquely answers people's questions. They explore the concept of "Search Everywhere Optimization" (SEO), the importance of niching down, and how to effectively repurpose long-form content across multiple channels—even with a small team. Mariah shares practical advice on using AI as a creative partner for ideation and efficiency without losing the human touch, and reveals how higher ed can learn from healthcare's successful embrace of blogging. Tune in for a lesson in creating content that doesn't just generate clicks, but builds genuine connection and drives real conversions. Key Takeaways Content is About People, Not Platforms: The biggest mindset shift for marketers is to return to creating content "by people, for people." Generic content is dying; successful content uniquely answers questions and speaks to niche topics with a human voice. Embrace "Search Everywhere Optimization": SEO best practices still apply, but you must now optimize for all platforms where your audience searches—like TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit—not just Google. Content should be broken down and repurposed to meet users wherever they are. Focus Your Efforts with Limited Resources: Don't try to be on every platform. Do the upfront work to identify your target audience and the 1-2 platforms they use most. Use AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Replacement: AI will not replace authentic, expert-driven content. Use it for ideation, to whittle down complex topics, to draft social media posts, and to check grammar—but the final product must reflect genuine human expertise and connection, especially for high-stakes decisions. Go Niche to Stand Out: Move beyond safe, general topics. The key to differentiation is creating highly specific, niche content. Be "pleasantly persistent" in interviewing subject matter experts to uncover the unique depth and stories that only your institution can tell. Measure What Matters Beyond Clicks: To prove content effectiveness, look at a holistic set of metrics: social engagement, brand sentiment, reach, non-branded search traffic, user activity on-site, and ultimately, conversions like form fills and "click to apply." Content Should "Close the Deal": Conversion-ready content makes the audience feel something. It successfully balances a clear answer to a specific question with a sense that the institution genuinely cares, building trust that influences final decisions. The Ultimate Goal is to Be Helpful: Don't let data and internal goals completely rule your strategy. The most impactful content marketing goes back to the core principle of being useful and helpful to the person on the other end. This human-centric approach, ironically, leads to better metrics and ensures you can't be replaced by a robot.     Find Mariah Tang: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahtang/ Stamats https://stamats.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Nov 28, 2025 • 33min

Mia Healy: Creativity Is the New Campus Currency

From her roots as a struggling student and president of the Cal State Student Association to her current role as a Higher Education Consultant at Canva, Mia Healy shares her unique journey and passion for making education more approachable and equitable. They dive into how her student leadership experience shaped her approach to EdTech, the importance of meeting students and institutions where they are, and why technology adoption is more about trust and people than the tech itself. Mia reveals innovative ways campuses are using Canva to transform learning, communication, and brand management, and discusses the rising trends of generative AI and digital skill-building as the new baseline competencies across all majors. Tune in for a conversation filled with practical insights on bridging gaps, fostering creativity, and leading with empathy in higher education. Key Takeaways Start with Empathy and Purpose: Mia's passion for EdTech was sparked by her own experience as a struggling student. She believes technology should be an equalizer, designed with empathy to meet students where they are and break down systemic barriers in higher education. Leadership is Ecosystem Building: Effective leadership in education and tech isn't top-down; it's about building ecosystems and ensuring every voice—from students to administrators—has a hand in shaping how technology transforms learning and connection. Change Requires "Dancing with the System": Successful technology adoption in higher ed is rarely about disruption. It's about aligning with an institution's culture and capacity for change, "dancing" with the existing systems to create meaningful, lasting impact. Focus is Key to Digital Transformation: With limited resources and endless possibilities, institutions must have a laser focus. Mia's success with the Sac State mobile app came from optimizing for specific, high-impact needs like basic student resources, rather than trying to do everything at once. The Visual Economy is Here: Communication has shifted from text-based to visual. Campuses must adapt to cut through the noise and communicate clearly with their communities (students, alumni, donors) using modern, visual tools. Canva as a Strategic Partner: Beyond being a design platform, Canva serves as a strategic partner for campuses. It helps unify brand governance, enhance accessibility, and develop digital skills, effectively acting as an extension of often resource-strapped campus teams. AI is Moving from Experimentation to Implementation: The trend in higher ed is moving from disorganized experimentation with GenAI to structured implementation, focusing on enhancing academic integrity, personalizing learning, and streamlining workflows. Digital Skills are Baseline Competencies: Communication, design, and data literacy are no longer just for creative majors. They are essential skills for all students—from engineers to scientists—to translate complex ideas and succeed in the modern workforce. Career Advice: Say "Yes" and Be Useful: For students looking to make an impact, Mia's advice is to start where you are, use what you have, and say "yes" to learning opportunities that scare you. Shift your focus from quantitative achievements to the qualitative impact of how you can help and be useful to others.     Find Mia Healy: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-c-kage/ Canva https://canva.com   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Nov 21, 2025 • 25min

Faton Sopa: The Reddit Effect and How It’s Changing College Decisions

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Faton Sopa, the co-founder and CEO of Manaferra, to unravel how the prospective student journey has been completely transformed. Faton shares groundbreaking insights from his agency's latest research, revealing that prospective students no longer get their information from single sources, but are instead "cross-checking" information across a vast digital ecosystem—from Google and Reddit to TikTok and AI tools like ChatGPT. We dive into why nearly 90% of students find AI-generated answers helpful, how Reddit has become an unexpected powerhouse for influencing college decisions, and why authenticity now trumps polished advertising. Faton provides actionable strategies for institutions to navigate this new reality, including the importance of optimizing for AI search engines, engaging authentically on platforms like Reddit, and balancing paid ads with organic, trust-building content. This is a must-listen for any enrollment leader or marketer in higher education looking to connect with students where they are today. Key Takeaways The College Search Journey is No Longer Linear: The college search process has evolved from a simple Google-based path to a complex, multi-platform journey. Students now fluidly move between search engines, social media (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube), community forums (Reddit), and AI tools. The Rise of "Cross-Checking": A staggering 88% of students cross-check the information they find on one platform by visiting another. They are actively searching for truth and consistency, making a cohesive digital presence more critical than ever. AI is a Major Player: AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity are being used consistently across all stages of the student journey. To be visible, institutions must ensure their public information is consistent, fresh, and widespread across the "AI ecosystem," as these tools synthesize data from many sources. Reddit's Surprising Influence: One of the most surprising findings was that 1 in 5 students visit Reddit during their search. They go there for authentic, unfiltered voices from current students and alumni. Institutions are advised to conduct sentiment analysis and empower their community to engage authentically on the platform, not promotionally. Authenticity Beats Polish: Across all segments, students prefer authentic content over polished advertising. They skip sponsored results and are more influenced by organic content that feels genuine, such as college life videos and admission tips on social media. Don't Abandon Paid Ads, But Balance Them: While students trust organic content more, paid ads are still crucial for building awareness at the beginning of the student journey. The key is to find the right balance, using paid ads to capture attention and authentic content to build trust and drive the final decision. Different Segments, Different Journeys: Undergraduates are highly influenced by social media and are looking for "fit" and college life. Graduate Students are more precise, searching for specific programs and how they balance with work/life. Adult Learners are the heaviest users of AI, seeking fast, efficient answers to balance their busy lives. The Core Challenge for Institutions: The fundamental gap in higher ed marketing is a disconnect between how students behave online (searching for trust signals) and how institutions manage their online presence (often focused on brand control). Closing this gap requires a shift towards authenticity and a multi-platform strategy.     Find Faton Sopa: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatonsopa/ Manaferra https://www.manaferra.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Nov 14, 2025 • 30min

Rasheed Behrooznia: Beyond the Student ID & The Future of Campus Commerce and Experience

How can universities create a seamless, safe, and connected experience that meets the soaring expectations of today's students? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Rasheed Behrooznia, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Transact+ CBORD, who leads a $250 million business serving over 1,500 institutions. Drawing from his unique background in defense systems engineering and transportation tech, Rasheed explains why the modern campus is like a "smart city" and how mission-critical technology—from mobile credentials in digital wallets to AI-powered dining—is the key to navigating it. They dive into the explosive 90% adoption rate of mobile student IDs, how his team balances massive scale with rapid innovation, and why the convergence of FinTech and EdTech is creating powerful new insights. For any leader looking to reduce friction and build a truly integrated campus ecosystem, this conversation is a masterclass in leveraging technology to put the student experience first. Key Takeaways The Campus is a "Smart City": Modern campuses are complex ecosystems where students navigate numerous daily use cases—from residential access and dining to parcel pickup and makerspaces. The goal is to integrate these into one seamless, safe, and efficient experience, much like a smart city, rather than treating them as disjointed, one-off tasks. Mobile Credentials are Now Table Stakes: The digital student ID, housed in the secure element of a phone or watch, has moved from a novelty to an expectation. With a 90% adoption rate at deployed institutions, it's the foundational layer for a frictionless campus experience, and the innovation now focuses on what can be built on top of this platform. Balance Innovation and Scale with a Portfolio Mindset: Managing a vast product portfolio requires strategic prioritization. The key is to assess where each solution is in its lifecycle—heavy innovation, growth, or maturity—and use continuous client feedback and data to weigh the "hundreds of good ideas" against mission-critical reliability and security needs. AI is an Operational Streamliner and Future Disruptor: In the short term, AI is being applied to solve immediate operational pains, such as using machine learning to predict food order ready-times or natural language interfaces for system queries. Long-term, AI is expected to be a disruptive force that will fundamentally change campus operations. The Rate of Innovation Must Match Student Expectations: Student expectations evolve as fast as technology does. What was once a cutting-edge feature quickly becomes a baseline requirement. To keep pace, EdTech providers must continuously increase their own rate of innovation, leveraging cloud architectures to deliver updates to all clients simultaneously. Success is a Team Sport: In an era of accelerated change and pressure to do more with less, impactful transformation cannot happen in silos. Rasheed's central message to university leaders is to "work as a team," leaning on trusted partners and fostering collaboration to navigate the future successfully and safely.     Find Rasheed Behrooznia: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbehrooznia/ Transact + CBORD https://www.transactcampus.com/home   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Nov 7, 2025 • 22min

Ricardo Rengifo: From Filing Cabinets to a Future-Ready Campus

Why is coordinating family dinner surprisingly similar to managing complex university processes? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ricardo Rengifo, President and CEO of DBS Software and Services, a pioneer in digitizing campus operations. Ricardo pulls back the curtain on the "document chaos" that plagues so many institutions—the siloed systems, fillable PDFs, and endless email chains—and reveals the path to a streamlined, paperless future. They discuss how smart forms and e-signatures transform user experience, why the biggest ROI often comes from overlooked operational areas like HR and facilities, and how to overcome the twin roadblocks of fear and perceived lack of IT resources. For any campus leader drowning in paperwork or looking to launch a digital transformation, this conversation is a practical guide to eliminating friction, boosting efficiency, and finally creating that single, seamless digital experience for students and staff. Key Takeaways Start with the Painful, Overlooked Processes: Don't try to boil the ocean. The biggest ROI for digital transformation often comes not from student-facing applications, but from internal operational areas like HR, facilities, and faculty contracting, where cumbersome, paper-based processes create significant hidden costs and inefficiencies. "Smart Forms" are a Game Changer, Not Just Digital Paper: Moving from a fillable PDF (a "dumb" container) to an interactive smart form transforms the user experience. Smart forms guide users with logic and validation, reduce errors, and automatically kick off workflows, moving information seamlessly from user to stakeholder. A Partnership Model is Key to Successful Change Management: Successful implementation isn't just about installing software; it's about partnership. By starting with a few key use cases to prove value, building internal champions, and providing "concierge-level" support, schools can socialize success and drive organic adoption across departments. The Right Tool for the Job Saves Money: Many schools use the wrong tools for their needs, such as trying to model complex workflows in e-signature platforms like DocuSign, which causes costs to skyrocket. A dedicated forms and workflow solution can handle signatures at a much lower total cost. The Future is Intelligent and Accessible Automation: The next wave of innovation is moving beyond simple digitization to intelligent automation. Integrating AI (like using ChatGPT to generate code for form logic) empowers non-technical staff to create complex, rich digital experiences without needing to be programmers.   Sign up for the Webinar and find out how to transform your college and save money: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1617603826973/WN_JUrajEQBT0mys3qU5Ibk_w     Find Ricardo Rengifohere: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrengifo/ DBS Software and Services https://www.dbsgroup.net/   Sign up for the November 19th webinar here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Oct 31, 2025 • 31min

Matthew Seitz: Humans + AI = Business Impact at UW Madison’s AI Hub

What does training for one of the world's hardest Ironman races have in common with leading AI transformation in business education? Host Jeff Dillon sits down with Matt Seitz, Director of the AI Hub for Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A veteran of Google, Abbott, and McDonald's, Matt brings 30 years of tech leadership to his mission of preparing students for an AI-driven world. He draws powerful parallels between overcoming the fear of the triathlon swim and the misconceptions holding businesses back from AI adoption. They tackle the critical questions: How can universities balance genuine learning with the need for AI skills that employers demand? What's the "barbell effect" of prompting and verification that students must master? And why is using AI today like having a pair of carbon-plated running shoes in a race? For anyone looking to understand the practical, human-centric future of AI in education and business, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and a healthy dose of motivation. Key Takeaways AI is Like the Ironman Swim—The Fear is Worse Than the Reality: The biggest barrier to AI adoption is often misconception and fear, just like how many avoid triathlons due to the swim. In reality, the swim is the shortest part, and AI's perceived challenges are often more manageable than they seem when you start engaging with them. Future-Proof with a "Barbell" Skill Set: The most valuable professionals will be strong at both ends of a "barbell": deeply knowing their core domain (e.g., marketing, finance) and mastering AI skills (prompting, verification), with the crucial connector being adaptability to continuous technological change. The Education Paradox: "Cheating" vs. "Job-Ready": There's a fundamental tension in education where what a teacher might consider "cheating" (e.g., using AI to write an essay) is exactly what a company expects a new hire to be able to do productively. Institutions must find ways to preserve genuine learning while equipping students to be "AI superheroes." Use AI Now to Gain a "Carbon Shoe" Advantage: Just as carbon-plated running shoes gave early adopters a significant speed advantage, using AI tools today provides a competitive edge. Being an early and proficient user makes you more effective ("superhuman") and puts you ahead of peers who are slower to adopt. Human + AI is the Winning Combination: AI is not a magic bullet for replacing humans. Its greatest power is in augmenting human capability. The most impactful business outcomes come from a human defining the goal, strategy, and creative direction, and then working with AI to execute and optimize. Authenticity Will Become a Premium Value: As AI generates a flood of content, there will be an increasing premium on genuine, human authenticity. The MIT "Your Brain on ChatGPT" study showed that over-reliance on AI can lead to "anodyne" work and less ownership, highlighting the enduring value of original thought and human connection.     Find Matthew Seitz here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattseitz/ University of Wisconsin - Madison https://www.wisc.edu/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Oct 24, 2025 • 33min

Nick Cawthon: Responsible AI and Strategic Design

How can universities overcome their unique challenges to create amazing digital experiences in an AI-driven world? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Nick Cawthon, a seasoned UX strategist with over two decades of experience working with giants like Adobe and Visa, and a professor at the California College of the Arts. Nick pulls from his rich background in the first dot-com boom to draw powerful parallels between then and now, arguing that we are in a similar era of transformative potential with AI. He offers a candid look at why higher ed struggles with UX—citing complexity, siloed departments, and slow-moving governance—and provides a fresh perspective on how to navigate it. They dive into the ethical integration of AI, the irreplaceable value of human creativity, and why mastering the humble spreadsheet is more important than ever. For any leader, educator, or designer looking to build more intuitive and impactful digital products, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and strategic insight. Key Takeaways Design Thinking is a Personal Productivity Tool: The principles of design thinking are not just for work. They can be applied to manage personal life, transforming scattered thoughts into a tangible, actionable plan. Higher Ed's UX Problem is a Governance Problem: The struggle to create great digital experiences isn't due to a lack of ideas, but often because of organizational complexity, siloed departments, and a lack of trust that prevents unbiased user research and streamlined decision-making. AI Resets the Starting Line for Everyone: Just as the internet and tools like QuarkXPress once leveled the playing field, AI is doing the same today. It’s not about replacing skills but augmenting them, allowing those who embrace it to move from idea to deployed application at an unprecedented speed. Embrace AI with Amnesty and Transparency in Education: Instead of treating AI as "cheating," educators should grant "amnesty" and encourage its use, with the requirement that students document their process and prompts. This fosters mentorship and transparency, turning AI into a collaborative learning tool. Ethical AI Considers More Than Output: Ethical integration requires looking beyond the "magic" of the output. Consider the human labor used to train models, the intellectual property sourced, the mental health of content moderators, and the environmental impact (carbon footprint) of running AI processes. Foundational Data Skills Are Still Critical: In an age of sleek SaaS interfaces, the fundamental skill of manipulating data in a spreadsheet (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) is more important than ever. It teaches the crucial process of normalizing and analyzing data, which is the bedrock of any data-driven narrative or AI application. Prototype and Validate AI Ideas Rapidly: The speed of AI tools allows teams to prototype and test complex product ideas quickly. This enables rapid iteration and "failing fast," helping to validate usability and refine the target user profile before making significant investments.     Find Nick Cawthorn here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcawthon-ux-digital-agency-product-design-leadership/ Gauge https://gauge.io/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Oct 17, 2025 • 27min

Dipesh Jain: AI, Accessibility, and the Future of Learning with Magic EdTech

What does it take to create digital learning that is truly for everyone? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dipesh Jain, Vice President of Revenue at Magic EdTech, a company with a 35-year mission to make learning accessible and transformative. Dipesh shares his unique journey from physical therapist to tech leader and how that background shapes his empathetic, partner-first approach to client relationships. They dive into the critical challenges facing education today—from boosting student retention with modern platforms to navigating the urgent demands of accessibility compliance. Dipesh offers a clear-eyed view on implementing ethical AI that serves real student needs, not just parlor tricks, and explains how his team is making static video content interactive and on-demand. For anyone invested in the future of inclusive, global education, this conversation is a masterclass in mission-driven innovation.   Key Takeaways Mission Over Transaction: The key to long-term partnerships (some lasting 15-20 years) is treating clients as true partners, not customers. This means acting as an extension of their team, understanding their deepest challenges with empathy, and focusing on delivering results that advance their educational mission. Accessibility and Ethical AI are Non-Negotiable Pillars: Digital learning must be built accessibly from the start, not retrofitted later due to compliance mandates. Similarly, AI implementation in education must prioritize safety, security, and reliability over being "cutting-edge," ensuring it serves the core mission of learning without bias. Innovation Must Be Incremental and Inclusive: Disruptive, large-scale innovation can leave learners behind. Effective change in education is slow, sequential, and designed to bring all students along, regardless of their resources or digital literacy. This ensures equity and prevents a wider digital divide. Solve Real Friction Points, Don't Just Chase AI Hype: The best AI applications solve specific, high-friction problems in the user journey. Examples include providing 24/7 academic support for adult learners or using AI to audit and remediate content for accessibility deadlines, moving beyond "parlor tricks" to tools with substantial impact. Understand the "Why" Behind the User: Deeply understanding the user persona—including their daily frustrations, life circumstances, and goals—is the foundation for aligning sales, marketing, and product development. This user-centric focus is crucial for creating solutions that genuinely improve engagement and retention for both traditional and non-traditional students. AI is Making Learning Bidirectional and Personalizable at Scale: Two of AI's most transformative roles are turning passive, unidirectional content (like videos) into interactive learning experiences and finally enabling true personalization for each individual learner, a feat that was impossible to achieve at scale in a traditional classroom setting.     Find Dipesh Jain here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/dj17/ Magic Edtech https://www.magicedtech.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Oct 10, 2025 • 29min

David Nelson: Why 76% of Students Want to Study Abroad

Student interest in studying abroad is at an all-time high, but so are the challenges of cost, safety, and accessibility. In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with David Nelson, Director of Study Abroad at Terra Dotta and a veteran international education leader. David breaks down the findings from Terra Dotta's latest survey, revealing why 76% of students want to study abroad and how their motivations are shifting from personal growth to resume building. They explore the "clustering effect" of social media, why students are choosing "safe" destinations like the UK, and the critical role parents play in the decision-making process. David also shares how technology—from AI-driven data analysis to automation—is helping understaffed offices meet student expectations and make global experiences more affordable and impactful. For anyone involved in international education, this is a deep dive into the data shaping the future of study abroad. Key Takeaways: Student Interest is High, But Destinations are Concentrating: While 76% of students express a desire to study abroad, post-pandemic trends show them clustering in perceived "safe," English-speaking destinations (like the UK) rather than spreading out globally. This creates logistical challenges for universities and limits the diversity of experiences. The "Why" Has Shifted from Personal to Professional Growth: Students now view study abroad primarily as a critical differentiator for their resumes and future careers in a globally competitive job market, moving beyond just the goal of personal enrichment. Parents are a Critical (and Often Anxious) Audience: Recruitment must start as early as high school, but universities must also address the "helicopter parent" factor. Parents are a major influence and often need reassurance about safety and structure, making faculty-led programs a key selling point. Technology is Essential for Scaling and Affordability: With tight budgets and no new staff, offices must leverage existing tech (like Microsoft Power Automate) and AI to automate processes, provide instant student communication, and use data to negotiate better, more affordable program options with providers. AI is a Powerful Tool for Data-Driven Decision Making: AI can analyze thousands of student feedback points (surveys, emails, reviews) to perform sentiment analysis and identify program value. This allows universities to make concrete, data-backed decisions about which programs to keep, cut, or improve to better serve students. Virtual Experiences are Bridging the Cost Gap: For students who cannot afford a traditional $10,000 program, virtual internships with major global companies (Netflix, Nike, Airbnb) offer a lower-cost alternative that still provides prestigious resume-building and professional experience.     Find David Nelson here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/denelson123/ Terra Dotta https://terradotta.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  
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Oct 3, 2025 • 35min

Joshua Meredith: From Dean to Deloitte: Tech, Strategy & Student Success

How can universities break free from outdated systems and siloed data to create a seamless, modern experience for students and staff? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Joshua Meredith, JD, a Client Relationship Executive at Deloitte Consulting with over 12 years of experience inside higher ed. Joshua brings a unique perspective from his roles at Georgetown and Yeshiva University, and now from the consulting side, where he helps institutions navigate their biggest tech challenges. They dive into the urgent need to replace aging ERPs and SIS systems, the transformative power of unifying data, and the practical applications of AI from the classroom to the athletic field. Joshua offers a clear-eyed view of the budget realities schools face and provides crucial advice for leaders looking to future-proof their institutions. This is a must-listen for any university leader, CIO, or administrator invested in building a more connected, data-driven campus. Key Takeaways: The End of the ERP Era is Here: The enterprise systems (like PeopleSoft) implemented in the early 2000s have reached the end of their life cycle. Institutions must now upgrade to modern, mobile-friendly platforms that allow for true data interconnectivity to meet today's user expectations. Data is a Cavernous (But Solvable) Problem: Campuses generate vast amounts of data (from key card swipes to LMS logins), but it's often siloed and unusable. The next revolution in higher ed will be about unifying this data to generate actionable insights for everything from space utilization to student mental health. The "Integrated Experience" is Non-Negotiable: Students expect a seamless, app-like experience, not 20 different links to manage their academic life. Creating a unified Digital Experience Platform (DXP) is critical for student satisfaction and institutional success, especially for decentralized schools. AI is a Practical Tool, Not Just a Buzzword: The most immediate benefits of AI lie in augmenting human roles, such as providing advisors with tools to manage larger caseloads more effectively. It can also analyze disparate data points (dining hall use, gym attendance, LMS activity) to proactively identify and support at-risk students. Change Requires a Dedicated "Band" of Investment: University leaders must consciously earmark a specific portion of their budget for technological change and innovation, separate from maintenance costs. Waiting for immediate ROI or trying to fit transformation into an already-baked budget is a recipe for falling behind. Leaders need to plan and fund this journey years in advance. Your Network is Your Net Worth: A recurring lesson from Joshua's diverse career is that the people you meet are never transactional. Relationships built along the way will often circle back and become integral to your career and life, underscoring the importance of not burning bridges.     Find Joshua Meredith here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuameredithjd/ Deloitte https://www.deloitte.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

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