EdTech Connect

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon talks to Jarrett Smith, Senior VP of Strategy at Echo Delta and co-author of the groundbreaking Designing for Decisions report. Fresh from his eduWeb conference presentation, Jarrett dives into the eye-opening findings from their survey of over 1,000 prospective students, revealing what students actually want from college websites—and where institutions are missing the mark. From the overwhelming demand for cost transparency to the surprising similarities across student segments, Jarrett challenges common assumptions and shares actionable fixes for enrollment and marketing teams. Tune in to learn why payment plans are a hidden gem, how to avoid "institutionally centric" pitfalls, and why less personalization might be more effective than you think. Key Takeaways: Cost Transparency is King: Total cost of attendance emerged as the #1 priority across all student segments (traditional, non-traditional, graduate, and international). Only 17% of students said they can always find what they need on college websites, with 55% admitting they’ve abandoned a site due to frustration. Fix: Make cost information unmissable—avoid burying it under financial aid links or forcing students to manually calculate totals. Students Want Clarity, Not Jargon: Institutional language (e.g., "bursar," "baccalaureate") and org-structure navigation create barriers. Fix: Audit content for student-friendly terms and prioritize intuitive wayfinding (e.g., Missouri S&T’s program-specific cost breakdowns). Overestimated vs. Underestimated Priorities: Overestimated: Program rankings, application deadlines, and "prestige" content. Underestimated: Payment plans (a "hidden gem"), acceptance rates (critical for traditional undergrads), and student satisfaction metrics. Segment Similarities > Differences: Despite assumptions, most student groups prioritize the same core tasks (e.g., cost, academic fit). Exception: Traditional undergrads care significantly more about debt stats and confidence-building content (e.g., grad success stories). Simple Fixes for Immediate Impact: Wayfinding: Ensure cost and program info is easy to find (e.g., UND.edu’s "Find Your Program Cost" form). Content Hierarchy: Replace institutional jargon with student-centric language. Research Shortcuts: Watching 5 students navigate your site reveals more than waiting for "perfect" data. AI’s Role in Future Research: Synthetic user research (AI-generated personas) shows promise but isn’t yet reliable due to cultural biases in training data. Heuristic analysis (e.g., usability audits) may benefit from AI—but human insight remains irreplaceable.   Dig deeper: Download the full Designing for Decisions report at https://echodelta.co/designing-for-decisions/ and rethink how your website serves today’s students!   Find Jarrett Smith here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithjarrett/ Echo Delta https://echodelta.co/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

Host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jennifer Beyer, VP of Product at Thesis, to explore the evolving landscape of student information systems (SIS) and the unique challenges faced by small to mid-sized colleges. With over two decades of experience spanning campus administration and EdTech leadership, Jennifer shares her mission to simplify higher education processes through cloud-based solutions. From her beginnings as a first-generation student and campus tour guide to her current role driving product strategy, Jennifer offers insights into how institutions can reduce friction, leverage technology, and prioritize the student experience. Tune in to learn how Thesis Elements is redefining the SIS space and why smaller schools are leading the charge in innovation. Key Takeaways: Access and Student-Centric Design: Jennifer emphasizes the importance of creating technology that helps students find the right fit and enables staff to focus on meaningful work. Her firsthand experience as a first-generation student informs her approach to solving institutional challenges at scale. The Shift to Cloud-Based SIS: Smaller institutions are moving faster to adopt cloud solutions for scalability, security, and resource efficiency. Thesis Elements focuses on delivering purpose-built, modern SIS solutions that can be implemented in about a year—a fraction of the time required by legacy systems. Frictionless Processes: Jennifer highlights the need for integrations, automation, and usability to reduce administrative burdens. For example, streamlining tasks like mass registrations or billing for student housing can significantly improve efficiency for understaffed offices. Lessons from Campus to EdTech: Transitioning from frontline roles in admissions and student success to EdTech taught Jennifer the value of understanding user journeys. She advocates for "purpose-driven design" and engaging directly with campus teams to build solutions that address real pain points. The Future of Higher Ed Tech: AI and partnerships with niche solutions present opportunities to enhance personalization and operational efficiency. However, Jennifer stresses the importance of balancing innovation with security and usability to avoid "shiny object" pitfalls. Leadership Philosophy: Jennifer’s leadership style centers on curiosity, empowerment, and aligning technology with institutional mission. She believes in getting out of her team’s way to let them solve problems creatively while staying focused on serving smaller colleges effectively. Meaningful Change Takes Time: For institutions driving transformation, Jennifer advises staying true to core goals and avoiding distractions. Incremental improvements—like reducing clicks in a workflow—can have an outsized impact on daily operations. Listen to the full episode for more insights on how EdTech is reshaping higher education administration! Find Jennifer Beyer here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbeyer/ Thesis https://www.thesiscloud.com/elements And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eric Kim, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Modo Labs, to explore how mobile technology has reshaped higher ed—and where it’s headed next. From Modo’s origins at MIT (inspired by Kabuki stagehands!) to its global impact today, Eric shares how universities can break down silos, leverage AI, and design experiences students actually love. Hear how early adopters like Sacramento State pioneered mobile registration and food insecurity alerts, why personalization is no longer optional, and how TikTok-era expectations are forcing a rethink of campus apps. Eric also reveals why higher ed’s collaborative spirit hooked him for life, the surprising industries borrowing from campus tech, and his bold vision for AI-powered “conversational” interfaces. Key Takeaways: The “Kurogo” Philosophy Modo’s original name and ethos come from Kabuki theater’s unseen stagehands—making the impossible seamless for users. Mobile’s Unfinished Revolution Early wins (like Sac State’s parking heat maps) solved real pain points, but many schools still duct-tape siloed systems instead of unifying experiences. Personalization is Non-Negotiable Students expect apps to adapt like TikTok: “They assume systems know everything—so they demand value in return.” AI’s Campus Potential Modo’s AI chatbot drove 235% app usage spikes at Arkansas Pulaski by answering questions in natural language. What Higher Ed Can Learn from Banks Major financial firms copied campus apps for employee experience—proof universities pioneered workplace tech. Hackathons = Hidden Insights Student-built Modo tools (food truck trackers, mental health aids) reveal unmet needs. Digital Governance Paradox Jeff’s confession: “Sometimes progress happens before policies catch up.” Advice for Leaders “Measure engagement with life, not clicks. Did your app help someone’s day?”   Listen Now for a masterclass in designing campus tech that students actually use!   Find Eric Kim here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejkim/ Modo Labs https://modolabs.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Katie Condon, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University, to unpack the urgent challenges and innovative strategies shaping higher ed’s future. With over a decade of experience spanning West Virginia University and EMU, Katie offers a candid look at how regional publics can compete amid shrinking demographics, financial aid upheavals, and rising student demands for ROI. From her viral 4,000-handwritten-note campaign (yes, even the rowing team pitched in) to rethinking transfer student pathways, Katie shares how she balances data-driven decisions with human-centric approaches. Discover why “many” and “a lot” are her least favorite words, how AI could revolutionize financial aid transparency, and why teaching freshman communication classes made her a better leader. Tune in for actionable insights on turning enrollment crises into opportunities—without losing your authenticity. Regional vs. Flagship Realities Smaller schools face higher stakes with fewer resources: “At a flagship, risks feel small. At a regional, every risk could be existential.” Data ≠ Panic Avoid reactive decisions: “One negative food review out of 2,000 doesn’t mean overhaul the menu.” Context matters more than raw numbers. Transparency Wins Students demand clarity: “They’re asking, ‘What will my degree cost the day I start?’” EMU’s career-focused messaging highlights short-term ROI (e.g., young alumni on Wall Street). AI’s Next Frontier: Financial Aid Personalized video walkthroughs of aid packages (via tools like Notebook LM) could bridge gaps for first-gen students—but data security is non-negotiable. The Power of “All Are Welcome” EMU’s campus-wide note-card campaign (even athletes wrote 700+ cards) boosted belonging by making recruitment everyone’s job. Transfer Students Need Segmentation Articulation agreements are outdated: “Today’s transfers might have dual enrollment, a failed semester elsewhere, or 100 scattered credits—they’re not a monolith.” Leadership Hack: Teach Freshmen Katie’s 7 years teaching intro comms revealed how recruitment impacts classroom success—and vice versa. “Emailing an A student praise works like a yield campaign.” Advice for New Leaders “Ask ‘why’ relentlessly early on. Later, questions seem suspicious.” Curiosity builds trust and uncovers institutional blind spots.   Listen Now to learn how to turn enrollment challenges into student-centered victories! ✨   Find Katie Condon here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie--condon/ Eastern Michigan University http://emu.edu/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

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 myths about music careers (“You don’t have to be Yo-Yo Ma to succeed”) to leveraging AI for music education (without replacing human artistry), Eytan shares how Common Time Pathways is creating athlete-style recruitment pipelines for musicians. Discover why colleges are prioritizing students who retain music as part of their identity, how harmonic resonance connects cultures, and why the future of education needs more creativity—not less—in an AI-dominated world. Music Scholarships Outpace Athletics Over $5B in performing arts scholarships are awarded annually—more than D1/D2 athletic scholarships—but people are aware of this due to lack of awareness and networking opportunities. 10,000 Hours Professional musicians aren’t born; they’re made through persistence. Like doctors or engineers, mastery comes from practice, not innate talent. Why Music is Higher Ed’s Secret Retention Tool Post-COVID, musicians returned to campus fastest because ensembles gave them identity and community—key to combating student burnout. AI Can’t Replace Human Artistry (Yet) Tools like Songscription.ai automate notation, but live music’s emotional power remains irreplaceable. “AI won’t make us cry like a human playing Beethoven.” The Networking Gap Athletes are recruited at age 5; musicians are told “figure it out.” Common Time Pathways connects students directly with professors and recruiters as early as 13. Cultural Shift Needed Counselors often lack tools to guide musical students. Changing the narrative from “music is nice” to “music is economically viable” is critical. Global Harmony Music transcends language and culture. Eytan’s work with international educators aims to redefine conservatory pipelines beyond Western classical traditions. Advice for Entrepreneurs “Talk to everyone—even your third-grade teacher.” Building a business hinges on relentless networking and seizing small connection opportunities.   Listen Now to learn how CommonTime Pathways is turning musicians into higher ed’s most valuable recruits!   Find Eytan Wurman here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/eytanwurman/ CommonTime Pathways https://www.ctpathways.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

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, and resources into a single, intuitive hub. Chase shares how Pathify’s middleware integration layer bridges siloed systems (from SIS to LMS to financial aid), why reducing "digital treasure hunts" boosts student success (like Pacific University’s 85% drop in financial holds), and how AI agents could soon automate tasks—if higher ed can untangle its data. Fresh off a $25 million investment, he also reveals Pathify’s expansion plans, the challenges of scaling a fully remote global team, and his hard-won advice for edtech founders: Persistence is the ultimate competitive advantage. From "Link Farms" to Engagement Hubs Traditional portals are outdated "link farms" that force students to navigate siloed systems. Pathify flips this by centralizing workflows (e.g., bill payments, advising) and personalizing content based on roles, interests, and behaviors—mirroring consumer apps like Spotify or YouTube. Integration is the Secret Sauce Pathify’s middleware layer transforms fragmented data (e.g., PeopleSoft APIs, iCal feeds) into a unified front-end experience. Example: Pacific University consolidated 29 systems into 5, slashing financial holds by 85% with targeted nudges. AI’s Promise (and Pitfalls) in Higher Ed AI agents could automate tasks (e.g., course enrollment, advisor bookings), but hallucination risks compound with complex, siloed data. Pathify’s deep integration layer positions it to lead here—when the data is ready. Community Surprises Despite commoditized tools (WhatsApp, GroupMe), Pathify’s institution-run communities drive engagement (e.g., spiking attendance at volleyball games via event groups)—proving students crave official digital spaces. Global Growth, Remote Culture Pathify’s fully remote team nurtures culture through quarterly meetups, cross-team events (like devs at EDUCAUSE), and a "marathon mindset" for scaling. Lesson: Operate remotely, strategize in person. Vendor Evaluation: Skip the Slick Demo Chase’s advice to higher ed leaders: Backchannel references. LinkedIn connections reveal more than any demo. Founder Wisdom: Persistence Pays Success is a marathon. Pathify’s decade-long journey—now with $25M funding—proves steady, focused growth beats "rocket ship" hype.   Listen Now to learn how smarter tech consolidation can turn institutional "digital overload" into seamless student success!   Find Chase Williams here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewilliamspath/ Pathify https://pathify.com/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

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 insights into everything from classroom innovation to institutional efficiency. Discover how she’s testing AI tools like GPT and Copilot with students, why tracking error rates is critical for ethical AI adoption, and how "agentic AI" could revolutionize advising and campus operations. She also shares lessons from her corporate career, including how higher ed can adopt a "living lab" mindset to accelerate innovation. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on breaking down silos, designing smarter workflows, and turning "constipated dinosaurs" into agile, AI-enabled institutions. Key Takeaways: Stigmergy: Borrowing from Nature to Solve Coordination Problems Inspired by social insects (e.g., ants, bees), stigmergy uses action-trace feedback loops to improve collaboration. Dr. Pak applies this to classroom projects and consulting engagements, helping students "swarm" around problems effectively. AI as a "Fancy Hammer" AI is a tool, not a replacement. Dr. Pak’s experiments (e.g., Zoom’s AI assistant, GPT for forensic accounting) reveal its limitations (e.g., misgendering speakers, flawed summaries) and teach students critical evaluation. Agentic AI is Already Here Virtual TAs, advising bots, and automated workflows (e.g., course planning) are emerging on campuses. But trust remains a hurdle—human oversight and "undo buttons" are essential for high-stakes tasks. Error Rates Matter Testing AI error rates exposes biases (e.g., facial recognition failures) and improves training data. Higher ed must prioritize transparency, especially in areas like advising or data management. Bots for the Boring Stuff Automating tedious tasks (e.g., fixing dead links, updating web content) frees staff for meaningful work. Think "Roomba for websites"—but with human checks. Private Sector Lessons: The "Living Lab" Mindset Universities should emulate corporate agility by turning campuses into testing grounds for innovation (e.g., MIT’s sustainability labs). Scarcity demands circular, not linear, knowledge economies. The Underrated AI Use Case: Tacit Knowledge Mining AI could unearth siloed insights buried in local drives and shared folders, connecting dots across departments to solve systemic problems. Magic Wand Fix: From "Constipated Dinosaurs" to Agile Service Providers Dr. Pak’s dream AI solution? A system that anticipates needs, streamlines bureaucracy, and empowers staff—transforming higher ed into a responsive, adaptive ecosystem.   Listen Now to rethink how AI, interdisciplinary thinking, and cybernetic principles can reshape higher ed!   Find Dr Cabrini Pak Ph.D here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/cabrinipak/ The Catholic University of America https://www.catholic.edu/   And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

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 delicate balance between personalization and relevance. From her new book Mailed It to Cornell’s bold advocacy campaigns, Ashley offers actionable strategies for higher ed professionals looking to modernize their approach. Tune in for a conversation packed with practical advice, surprising lessons, and a glimpse into the future of higher ed marketing. Key Takeaways: Digital Alumni Engagement is the Future Cornell’s early investment in digital teams (e.g., social media, email specialists) set a precedent for meeting alumni where they are—online. Alumni engagement now requires a hybrid approach, blending digital and in-person strategies to cater to millennials and Gen Z. Email is a Powerhouse Channel Email often outperforms other channels in fundraising and engagement when done strategically. Avoid hyper-personalization; focus on relevance and timing for broader segments. Direct Mail Isn’t Dead—It’s Evolving Physical mail can feel special in an era of digital noise, but data accuracy (e.g., correct salutations) is critical to avoid alienating recipients. Reserve premium mail (e.g., alumni magazines) for high-value audiences due to rising production costs. AI’s Role in Fundraising AI can help identify giving opportunities and simplify complex donor outreach, but human judgment is still essential for authentic connections. Advocacy Campaigns Require Agility Cornell’s rapid-response advocacy campaign (launched in under two weeks) demonstrates how universities can mobilize alumni during crises. Collaboration Over Perfection To push innovation forward in higher ed, present ideas with evidence, include skeptics in discussions, and let neutral parties drive consensus. Toolkits > Tech Stacks The biggest barrier to effective marketing isn’t creativity—it’s workflows and approval processes. Teams need playbooks to streamline execution.   Featured Resource: Ashley’s book Mailed It (emailbook.co) and her free custom GPT for writing effective emails. Listen Now to learn how to future-proof your institution’s marketing and engagement strategies!   Find Ashley Budd here: Website https://ashleybudd.com/ LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleybudd/ Cornell University http://cornell.edu/   Find Mailed It here: https://emailbook.co/buy-the-book And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

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—or risk becoming invisible to AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT. Discover how digital experience orchestration bridges siloed CMS platforms, why personalization goes beyond "Hello, [Name]," and how agentic AI will redefine student interactions—both on and off your website The Multi-to-Multi Problem: Universities juggle legacy systems, composable tools, and countless touchpoints—orchestration layers unify them without costly migrations. AI’s Offsite Threat: If ChatGPT can’t crawl your structured content, prospective students may never find you. Beyond the Website: Conversational interfaces (like onsite chatbots) are now mandatory—users expect ChatGPT-style interactions everywhere. Personalization ≠ Just Names: Real-time intent detection (via LLMs) lets schools dynamically reshape content for admissions seekers, researchers, or donors. Start Small, Abstract Legacy: Use batch data feeds to build APIs over clunky systems—no "boil the ocean" required. Agentic AI is Non-Negotiable: Third-party AI (ChatGPT) and onsite chatbots will dominate how Gen Z engages with brands—including universities. Listen now to future-proof your institution’s digital strategy—before AI reshapes the enrollment landscape.   Find Sana Remekie here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/sana-remekie/ Conscia https://www.conscia.ai/     And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/  

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 analytics are revolutionizing content strategy. Discover how TCU tackles "content sprawl," balances innovation with legacy systems, and prepares for a future where generative AI reshapes student search behavior. Key Takeaways From Flash to Future: Corey’s graphic design roots taught him to adapt—now he’s applying that flexibility to AI’s rapid evolution in higher ed. Marketing-Led Web Teams: Why embedding web leadership in marketing (not IT) accelerates decision-making and aligns with institutional goals. AI as an Analytics Powerhouse: Tools like AI-enhanced search analytics help small teams "do more with less" by spotting trends faster. Content Sprawl Solutions: Weekly crawlers + workshops keep TCU’s 10K+ pages fresh, accessible, and student-focused. The "Future You" Mindset: Building today’s tech stack to make future Corey’s job easier (thank you, past Corey!). Accessibility as a Process: WCAG 2.2 readiness and remediation groups ensure compliance isn’t a one-time project.     Listen now for deep insights into balancing tradition and transformation—where AI meets accessibility and every pixel has purpose.   Find Corey Reed here: LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyreed/ Texas Christian University https://tcu.edu/ EdTech Connect Web: https://edtechconnect.com/