The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Meghan Grace, a dynamic higher education consultant, researcher, and host of the #GenZ Podcast. Meghan shares her expertise on the importance of knowing your people, implementing data-informed strategies, and fostering a collaborative culture in higher education institutions. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in navigating change management and highlights the necessity of clear, stakeholder-informed strategic plans.Guest Name: Dr. Meghan Grace - Freelance Researcher, Author, Speaker, and PodcasterGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Dr. Meghan Grace is a passionate researcher, consultant, and speaker who thrives on empowering individuals and organizations to tackle problems by developing sustainable solutions. Through research, assessment, strategic planning, and project planning & management, she helps others leverage data to inform their planning and decision-making to increase efficiency and effectiveness. - - - -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.

We’re pleased to have with us this week Phil Hill, a seasoned expert in educational technology and market analysis who writes regularly for his On EdTech newsletter. Phil shares his extensive experience in consulting and analyzing market trends, particularly in the context of the current financial challenges facing higher education and EdTech companies. Phil shares relevant insights about global higher ed from his podcast, Online Education Across the Atlantic. They also discuss the recent bankruptcies and acquisitions in the sector, the ongoing enrollment crisis, and the potential for future innovation and investment in education technology.Guest Name: Phil Hill - Blogger, Speaker, and Market Analyst at Phil Hill & AssociatesGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Phil Hill has been a market analyst and consultant in EdTech for over two decades. He is most notably recognized for publishing the On EdTech blog and newsletter, which began in 2019 after he decided to separate from the e-Literate brand and blaze his own trail. Revered for his honest and upfront take on market trends for online / hybrid education, OPMs, and learning platforms, Phil provides thoughtful and practical advice to his clients. His unique graphics and visuals have been widely used and shared in the education space. Phil is also a husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoys being outdoors, spending time with his Australian Shepard, craft beer, and live music. - - - -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 week’s episode, Dustin with Kaitlin Dumont, the self-proclaimed Mrs. Maisel of EdTech, about the future of higher education. Kaitlin shares insights from her diverse background and delves into the importance of strategic partnerships as well as her perspective on the digital transformation driving the evolving landscape of higher ed. They also discuss the value of intimate, community-driven events like EdTechWeek, professional communities like the Future of Higher Ed group, and the forthcoming integration of education with the workforce.As a reminder, EdTechWeek tickets are selling fast – register now and use the promo code GEEK2024 for 20% off your ticket to join us in NYC!Guest Name: Kaitlin Dumont, Higher Education Consulting Director at HuronGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Kaitlin Dumont’s expertise lies at the intersection of higher education and workforce learning. Dumont has been featured in several publications, including Inside Higher Ed and Education Technology Insights. Previously, Dumont played an instrumental role in shaping executive development programs at 2 of the most prestigious institutions: the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School. As an advisor, she worked closely with C-Suite executives and Fortune 500 corporations, offering strategic guidance on learning and development priorities. Crucially, she led the charge in curating flagship portfolios of residential executive programs and spearheaded the launch of innovative online initiatives, ensuring the delivery of top-notch learning experiences. Dumont completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University and holds an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, as well as an Instructional Designer Certificate from the Online Learning Consortium. She currently lives in Lewiston, Maine, where she shares her life with her husband and two 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.

This week, Dustin chats with fellow Enrollify host of the Visionary Voices podcast, Bryan Gross, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Hartwick College. Brian shares his unique journey from international admissions to his current role, highlighting key moments and strategies that have shaped his career. They also discuss the importance of building strong foundational systems, the role of collaboration in higher education, and how digital transformation is impacting enrollment management.Guest Name: Dr. Bryan Gross, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Athletics at Hartwick CollegeGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Dr. Bryan Gross is the vice president for enrollment management and athletics at Hartwick College. Gross most recently served as vice president of revenue planning and institutional positioning at 3 Enrollment Marketing, Inc., an enrollment and retention solutions and services provider. Prior to his role at 3E, Gross served as vice president for enrollment management and marketing, and as interim vice president of student affairs at Western New England University in Springfield, MA. Before that, he was the associate vice president of enrollment management at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. and associate vice president of admissions, dean of admissions, and director of international admissions at the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT. - - - -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.

We’re sharing an extra dose of podcasting goodness with this recently released episode of the Next Practices podcast from Civitas Learning. Dustin was interviewed by Katy about what he’s learned from years of podcasting and thoughts on trends in developing meaningful digital experiences for students.Guest Name: Katy Oliveira, Head of Content Marketing at Civitas LearningGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Katy Oliveira is a creative and strategic senior content marketer with experience producing resonant content experiences in multiple media formats. She is skilled in developing and executing comprehensive content strategies that drive brand awareness, engagement, and conversion across owned and paid channels. Katy is an experienced manager passionate about helping others hone their unique superpowers to reach their goals and contribute to a successful team. - - - -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.

Dustin is pleased to sit down with Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). Bridget shares her journey of leading the UIA, focusing on scaling innovative ideas to improve student outcomes across universities. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of fostering innovation in higher education, the impact of institutional closures, and the importance of empathy and user-centered design in creating effective educational experiences.Guest Name: Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO at the University Innovation AllianceGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: As a trusted advisor to university presidents and policymakers, Dr. Bridget Burns is on a mission to transform the way institutions think about and take action on behalf of low-income, first generation, and students of color. She is the founding CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation that helps university leaders dramatically accelerate the implementation of scalable solutions to increase the number and diversity of college graduates. - - - -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.

Dustin is pleased to sit down with Mike Marriner, Co-Founder and President of Roadtrip Nation, for this week’s episode. Mike shares the incredible journey of Roadtrip Nation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students explore career options through real stories and experiences. Mike shares how Roadtrip Nation's unique approach to career exploration is transforming lives and empowering the next generation to find their paths in the evolving future of work.Guest Name: Mike Marriner, Co-Founder and President at Roadtrip NationGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: As co-founder and President of Roadtrip Nation, Mike Marriner leads the organization's media and education efforts that empower people from all backgrounds to define their own roads in life. For over 15 years, Mike has developed a range of media and education partnerships that distribute Roadtrip Nation content to over 60 million households, 14 million students, and over 12,000 schools each year. Roadtrip Nation has been awarded the Excellence in Programming award by American Public Television, two Telly awards, and won the 2019 Lone Star Regional Emmy Award for the film, Room to Grow. Mike has co-authored all 4 Roadtrip Nation books including Roadmap (Chronicle Books), which hit the NY Times best-seller list in 2018. Mike is also an Ashoka Fellow, a network of leading social entrepreneurs, and has been featured in prominent news outlets including the NBC Today Show, CBS Early Show, BBC News, Outside, Fast Company, Forbes, Esquire, USA Today and many others. He graduated from Pepperdine University with a double major in Biology / Sports Medicine, and attended The Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Program in 2012. - - - -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.

This week, Dustin chats with Sophie Smith, CEO and Founder of College Contact. Sophie shares her inspiring journey from founding the company in her dorm room to leading a successful platform that bridges the gap between high school and college experiences. She also details how College Contact leverages near-peer mentorship and advanced digital tools to revolutionize college admissions and student success.Guest Name: Sophie Smith, Founder & CEO at College ContactGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Sophie Smith is the founder and CEO of College Contact which serves the 75% of college applicants who apply alone every year. Since its inception, College Contact has served over 2,500 students, reached 16M people on social media, and grown their counselor network to 100+ college counselors nationwide. Sophie's accolades include being named Student Entrepreneur of the Year by the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council and winning the Global EdTech Company of the Year award from InvestHer. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce with concentrations in Marketing and Information Technology, an Innovation Entrepreneurship minor and a track in Business Analytics. - - - -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.

This week, Dustin talks with Dr. Joseph Orgel from Illinois Institute of Technology about the innovative Empowerment Leadership and Mentorship (ELM) program he developed. Dr. Orgel shares his journey in academia, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the development of durable skills for student success. They also discuss the program's impact on academic performance, graduation rates, and the overall student experience. Lastly, Dr. Orgel highlights the critical role of peer mentorship and the positive effects of creating a supportive and empowering academic culture.Guest Name: Dr. Joseph Orgel, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Illinois Institute of TechnologyGuest Social Handles: LinkedInGuest Bio: Dr. Joseph Orgel is a visionary with a passion for innovation and collaboration. He is a relentless research leader in multi- and cross-disciplinary R&D, delving into areas such as the molecular organization of tissues, X-Ray diffraction, neurology, social influence, generative AI and applied learning. His diverse background spans academia, research, and business, giving him a unique perspective on leadership and problem-solving. Joseph's expertise in industrial R&D, business administration, and strategic planning is complemented by his commitment to fostering strong relationships and championing personal development. As a skilled communicator and dedicated mentor, Joseph inspires those around him to reach their full potential. - - - -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.

Joining the show this week is Aneesh Sohoni, CEO of One Million Degrees, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting community college students. Aneesh shares his personal and professional journey that led him to this impactful work, discusses the comprehensive support model of One Million Degrees, and emphasizes the importance of community colleges in today’s educational landscape. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities in community college education and the innovative strategies employed to enhance student success.Guest Name: Aneesh Sohoni, CEO at One Million DegreesGuest Social Handles: LinkedInGuest Bio: Aneesh is Chief Executive Officer at One Million Degrees (OMD), an organization that focuses on supporting community college students with life, school, and career. Aneesh is the child of immigrants and works in education because of the meaningful role access to educational opportunity played in his family’s life. He started as a high school English teacher. It was his experience working with his students that brought to life for Aneesh the limitless potential of students and the need to ensure all students had access to opportunities to meet their potential. Since leaving the classroom, Aneesh has worked in the public and non-profit sector supporting education reform efforts in Tennessee, Camden, Boston, and Chicago. Most recently, Aneesh served as the Executive Director for Teach For America in Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana for nearly six years. Aneesh was previously named to Forbes 30 under 30 for education, is a Pahara Fellow, 2019 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, a member of The Economic Club of Chicago, and serves on the board of Teach For India – U.S. Aneesh has shared his expertise at numerous conferences, including at SXSW EDU and ASU-GSV Summit. - - - -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.