The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

Shai Reshef, founder of University of the People, joins Dustin to share how his radically accessible, tuition-free, accredited online university is scaling globally and rewriting the rules of what college can be. From refugee learners in conflict zones to first-generation students from all over the world, University of the People is serving 170,000+ students with a bold vision: higher ed should be affordable, flexible, and job-relevant. This episode is a masterclass in educational innovation, AI integration, and mission-driven leadership.Guest Name: Shai Reshef - Founder & President of University of the PeopleGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Shai Reshef is the President of University of the People (UoPeople). Reshef has over 25 years of experience in the international education market. Reshef has been widely recognized for his work with UoPeople, including being awarded the 2023 Yidan Prize for Educational Development, referred to as the Nobel Prize for Education; an honorary doctorate from the Open University, named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business; awarded an Ashoka fellowship; joined UN-GAID as a High-level Adviser; granted an RSA Fellowship; selected by The Huffington Post as the Ultimate Game Changer in Education; nominated as one of Wired Magazine’s 50 People Changing the World; and selected as a Top Global Thinker by Foreign Policy Magazine.An expert on the intersection of education and technology, Reshef has spoken internationally at conferences, including DLD, TED, World Economic Forum, EG5 Conference, Google’s Higher Education Summit, ASU+GSV, SXSW, The Economist’s Annual Human Potential Summit, Financial Times’ Innovation Conference, and the Schools for Tomorrow Event for the New York Times. He has also lectured at Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford, among others. Reshef’s TED Talk and Nas Daily video about the University have over 30M views combined. Reshef holds an M.A. in Chinese Politics from the University of Michigan. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode, Dustin caught up with Annie Chechitelli, Chief Product Officer at Turnitin. After recording earlier this year at SXSW EDU, they reconnected to unpack the biggest myths and realities around AI in higher ed. Building upon her recent blog post as well as the prior conversation Dustin had with Annie’s colleague, Eric Wang, this conversation dives into the evolving role of AI tools—like generative writing assistants and detection software—and how institutions and instructors can embrace transparency, not panic. Annie shares sharp insights on what AI literacy really means, why “zero AI” policies may backfire, and how faculty can empower students without sacrificing trust or learning outcomes.Guest Name: Annie Chechitelli, Chief Product Officer at TurnitinGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Annie Chechitelli has spent the past two decades innovating with educators to expand access to education, meet the quickly changing needs of learners, and empower students to do their best, original work. As the Chief Product Officer at Turnitin, Annie oversees the Turnitin suite of applications which includes academic integrity, grading and feedback, and assessment capabilities. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this final bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin chatted with Jenny Maxwell, Head of Grammarly for Education at Superhuman (formerly Grammarly), fresh off the announcement of their exciting rebrand. This timely conversation dives into the evolution of AI writing tools in higher education and how intentional product design is key to ethical, effective use. Jenny breaks down the power of their new “Authorship” tool, the growing demand for transparency in student work, and how AI can actually foster better teaching and learning—when it’s done right.Guest Name: Jenny Maxwell - Head of Grammarly for Education at SuperhumanGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Jenny Maxwell is the head of Grammarly for Education at Superhuman (formerly Grammarly). Jenny has more than 15 years of experience in the education/ed-tech space and over 20 years of experience in sales and leadership. Before joining Grammarly, Jenny led the higher education team at Pearson, the world’s largest education content provider. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Dustin chats with Shannon McDonald and Brandon Chavez from the Division of Extended Studies at UC San Diego about how continuing education can be a powerful catalyst for institutional resilience and workforce transformation. With decades of experience between them, Shannon and Brandon share how their team builds agile, data-informed, employer-driven programs that deliver value to both learners and local industries. From stackable credentials to custom corporate partnerships, this conversation is full of practical insights on how to make higher ed more accessible, responsive, and sustainable. Guest Names: Shannon McDonald - Director of Custom Training & Leadership Programs at UC San Diego Division of Extended StudiesBrandon Chavez - Assistant Director, Industry Engagement & Partnership Development at UC San Diego Division of Extended StudiesGuest Socials: Shannon on LinkedInBrandon on LinkedInGuest Bios: Shannon McDonald is the Director of Corporate Education and Leadership Programs at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, where she leads strategic partnerships with organizations to design and deliver custom training that addresses evolving workforce needs. A UC San Diego alumna, Shannon has been with Extended Studies since 2001 and has extensive experience shaping programs that respond to shifting economic, technological, and industry demands. She is actively involved with the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), where she has held multiple leadership roles, and she engages with San Diego’s professional community through associations and service on UC San Diego councils. With a strong focus on workforce development, Shannon is passionate about building learning solutions that help organizations innovate, remain competitive, and invest in the long-term success of their employees.Brandon Chavez is Assistant Director of Industry Engagement & Partnership Development at UC San Diego Extended Studies, where he helps employers connect with the university’s talent, research, and custom training resources. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education strategy, marketing, and workforce partnerships, he focuses on building solutions that align with employer priorities while advancing UC San Diego’s mission. Beyond his local work, Brandon contributes nationally through UPCEA as a Peer Learning Leader, sharing insights on employer engagement and credential innovation. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin sat down with Nicole Muscanell from the Research and Insights team at EDUCAUSE. Nicole shares insights from EDUCAUSE’s latest research outputs—like the Horizon Report on Teaching and Learning as well as the annual Top 10 IT Issues—while offering a grounded perspective on how institutions are evolving their digital strategies. From shifting student preferences in learning modalities to the real risks of overinvesting in flashy tech, this episode explores how higher ed leaders can chart a sustainable, student-centered path forward in a rapidly changing landscape.Guest Name: Dr. Nicole Muscanell - Researcher at EDUCAUSEGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Nicole Muscanell serves as a researcher at EDUCAUSE. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and has more than a decade of experience in higher education, including roles in research, instruction, and academic advising. Her recent work explores faculty and student technology use, workforce issues, data and analytics, and emerging trends shaping teaching, learning, cybersecurity, and privacy in higher education. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin chatted with Larry Tumblin of Ohio University for a fascinating look at how dual enrollment is being reimagined for today’s learners. Larry breaks down the College Credit Plus initiative and how Ohio U is bringing college courses directly into high school classrooms using cost-effective, easy-to-deploy video conferencing tech. With 15 high schools already in the program and more on the way, this is a story about access, scalability, and the power of keeping it simple (but smart). For institutions thinking about dual enrollment, this conversation is a blueprint worth bookmarking.Guest Name: Larry Tumblin - Director of IT & Learning Spaces Manager at Ohio UniversityGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Larry Tumblin serves as Director of Information Technology for Regional Campuses and Learning Spaces Manager for the Office of Information Technology at Ohio University. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Larry has led initiatives spanning educational technology, IT infrastructure, and campus operations. A U.S. Army veteran and Russian linguist, he brings a unique perspective to leadership and service. Larry holds a B.A. in Political Science from Ohio University and is known for fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across campuses. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin sits down with Justin Price, VP of Global Customer Experience at StarRez, to unpack the evolving residential student experience—and how tech is rising to meet the moment. With 20+ years in higher ed housing and over a decade at StarRez, Justin brings a uniquely grounded view of what students and institutions really need. From supporting the on- to off-campus transition, to leveraging unified platforms for deeper insight and safer data practices, this episode spotlights the vital (and growing) role of housing in student success.Guest Name: Dr. Justin Price - Vice President of Global Customer Experience at StarRezGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Dr. Justin Price is the Vice President, Global Customer Experience at StarRez.  He has worked at StarRez for over 13 years in a variety of roles.  He has overseen the Global Services Team, Global Support, as well as Learning & Content.  He works closely with customers in the community to ensure success and satisfaction with StarRez.  Prior to his work at StarRez, Justin spent 20 years working in University Housing at several institutions including: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Boston College, and the University of Denver.  He is passionate about Higher Education on how technology can improve the student and staff experience. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin speaks with Nicole Engelbert, VP of Product Strategy at Oracle, about how institutions can future-proof their tech stacks and focus on what really matters—helping students thrive. Nicole unpacks Oracle’s latest certification milestone for PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and shares what it means for digital transformation and student experience. From the critical importance of interoperability to why 2 AM student questions should guide your tech decisions, this episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating the next wave of higher ed infrastructure.Guest Name: Nicole Engelbert - VP of Higher Education Product Strategy at OracleGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Nicole Engelbert is Vice President of Higher Education Development at Oracle.  In this role, Nicole works closely with a broad range of stakeholders, including institutions, implementation partners, and industry associations to ensure that Oracle’s products and services meet the current and future needs of the higher education industry.  Nicole joined Oracle from Ovum, a leading market research and consulting firm, where she served as the Director of Research & Analysis and launched its higher education technology coverage in 2005.  Over the last decade, Nicole has advised institutions globally on critical areas such as cloud migration, legacy modernization, emerging technologies, and student experience.  Prior to Ovum, Nicole has held numerous positions in education technology and college administration.  She holds a BA in Classics from Union College and a MEd in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Columbia University. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when your institution has too many systems—and none of them talk to each other? In this episode, Dustin chats with Justin Beck, CEO of Gravyty, about how colleges and universities can stop tech creep from derailing the student experience. Drawing from his background at Apple, Blackboard, Salesforce, Instructure, and now Gravyty, Justin shares hard-earned insights on how schools can create a more connected, intuitive digital journey for students, staff, and alumni. From the power of omnichannel engagement to surprising AI-driven fundraising wins, Justin breaks down how to work smarter with the tech you already have—and how to stop chasing perfection at the expense of progress.Guest Name: Justin Beck - CEO at GravytyGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Justin Beck is the Chief Executive Officer of Gravyty, a leading provider of AI-driven engagement solutions for higher education and nonprofit institutions. With over two decades of experience in SaaS and education technology, Justin has built and led high-performing global teams across sales, customer success, revenue operations, marketing, and product enablement. He is driven by a deep belief in the power of technology to improve outcomes across the student and constituent lifecycle—from recruitment and retention to alumni engagement and fundraising. Prior to Gravyty, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at Xplor Technologies, a global, multi-vertical SaaS and embedded payments company serving over 100,000 customers in more than 30 markets.Justin’s earlier leadership roles include SVP of Global Sales at Instructure (makers of Canvas), and senior positions at Salesforce, Kaltura, EverFi, Blackboard, and Apple. Across each organization, he has played a pivotal role in scaling revenue, entering new markets, and driving strategic transformation. A frequent advisor on go-to-market strategy in mission-driven sectors, Justin brings a blend of operational rigor and customer-centric thinking to every role. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and their three sports-loving teenage children.  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin spoke with Ryan Lufkin, VP of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, about the current crossroads in higher ed, technology, and workforce readiness. The conversation touches on findings from the latest State of Learning and Readiness report, the real (and perceived) gaps in student skill preparedness, and why now is the time for institutions to embrace AI—not fear it. Ryan also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Canvas Career and how Instructure is broadening its mission beyond just a learning management system.Guest Name: Ryan Lufkin - VP of Global Academic Strategy at InstructureGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Ryan Lufkin is the VP of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure (makers of Canvas, the leading education technology used by schools across the country). Ryan has been working with colleges and universities in the educational technology space for over 20 years, beginning with Utah-based start-up Campus Pipeline, the first html portal for higher education. He has worked for large ERP solutions like SungardHE and Ellucian helping evolve those systems to the Cloud, driven mobile adoption in teaching and learning technology, and developed curriculum for both corporate and higher education institutions. Ryan has helped lead Canvas’ evolution from an LMS to a full learning management platform to support the challenges facing colleges and universities of all sizes. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.