

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast
Dustin Ramsdell
The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 19, 2024 • 26min
Bonus Live Episode from ASU+GSV - Building a True Adult Learner Experience at Calbright College
Don Orth shares with Dustin his journey going from a K-12 educator to a leader in adult higher education, emphasizing the innovative approach at his institution. Recorded live at the ASU GSV Air Show, Don discusses Calbright's mission to empower adult learners through innovative, accessible online programs. He highlights how AI is integrated into the educational process, enhancing personalized learning and student success.Guest Name: Don Orth, Vice President of Student Services and Support at Calbright CollegeGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Don Orth is a veteran educator and administrator, Don has worked in K-12 schools around the world with a focus on reimagining education. During that time, he also led research on the relationship between agile learning spaces and mobile technology. Most recently, he spent 10 years at Apple, heading their worldwide education leadership program, developing Apple’s strategy for helping education decision makers in government, K-12 schools and districts, and higher education transform learning and teaching. He holds a Masters in Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, a Masters in Fine Arts from Vermont College, and a Bachelors in English from Tufts 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.

Apr 17, 2024 • 20min
Bonus Live Episode from ASU+GSV - Rethinking EdTech: Strategic Insights for Higher Ed Leaders
In this engaging episode recorded live at the ASU+GSV AIR Show, Jared Stein shares insights into the transformative potential and current challenges of artificial intelligence in education. With a rich background in launching successful online education programs, founding and leading Rarebird Ed Tech, and a deep understanding of the higher ed landscape, Jared shares his unique insights on how institutions can effectively leverage technology to address critical issues like enrollment and retention.Guest Name: Jared Stein, Principal Consultant at Rarebird Ed TechGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Jared Stein helps the world’s best ed tech startups make a positive impact on the world, faster. In our increasingly complex world, education needs ed tech more than ever — to make difficult things simpler and seemingly impossible things achievable for teachers, students, staff, and families. To do this, he leverages 12+ years as a leader in online and blended education at US universities. More importantly, Jared brings knowledge and experiences from 11+ years inside Instructure, one of the world’s most successful ed tech startups, from Series B through 2 IPOs.
- - - -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.

Apr 17, 2024 • 44min
Episode #226: Bridging the Gap — Workforce Development & Digital Education
In this insightful episode, Dustin sits down with Dr. Jennifer King from Bisk to explore how institutions can support greater workforce development. Focusing on the evolution and maturation of digital education, they explore how institutions can navigate a continuously changing landscape to better align with workforce needs. Dr. King shares her extensive experience and discusses Bisk’s strategic pivot towards creating more accessible and relevant educational pathways through micro-credentials and skills-based learning.Guest Name: Dr. Jennifer King, Vice President for Workforce & Education at BiskGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Dr. Jennifer King is a formerly tenured professor, academic dean and author who has been in higher education for more than two decades. Prior to joining Bisk in 2018, she served more than a decade as associate professor and assistant dean for Florida Southern College. More recently, she ran a consulting practice centered around education technology.She earned her PhD in Instructional Technology and Educational Tests & Measurement from University of South Florida College of Education and an undergrad from New York University. Her doctorate has made her a thought leader in online and remote instruction and learning.
- - - -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.

Apr 14, 2024 • 23min
Bonus: Live Episode from ASU+GSV - AI at Scale: Innovating Education with ASU
We’re thrilled to share this compelling live discussion with Elizabeth Reilley and Amanda Gulley from Arizona State University, recorded at the inaugural ASU+GSV AIR Show. This episode dives into ASU's pioneering AI projects, exploring how AI technology is reshaping student and faculty experiences at ASU and beyond. Discover how ASU leverages AI for impactful educational innovations and community engagement, pushing the boundaries of traditional education.Guest Names: Amanda Gulley, Chief of Product & User Experience - EdPlus at Arizona State UniversityDr. Elizabeth Reilley, Executive Director of AI Acceleration at Arizona State UniversityGuest Bios: As the Chief of Product and User Experience within EdPlus at Arizona State University, Amanda Gulley believes that everything we build should be tailored to the experience. Her passion for product development, data and design stems far outside her everyday job and has become a hobby that has provided her countless opportunities as an expert to learn, mentor and practice the field in all walks of life. She has been in education for almost 15 years, 11 of them within technology and product.Dr. Elizabeth Reilley is the Executive Director, AI Acceleration, with Enterprise Technology at Arizona State University. Previously at ASU, she worked in the area of Data and Analysis also within Enterprise Technology. Elizabeth has 15 years of experience in higher education working in Academic Affairs, Information Technology, and Strategy and Policy. She has a PhD in Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a BA in Philosophy and Community and Justice Studies from Guilford College.Guest Social Handles:Amanda's LinkedInElizabeth's LinkedIn
- - - -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.

Apr 11, 2024 • 27min
BONUS Episode #225: Breaking New Ground — Element451 and Enrollify at the ASU+GSV AIR Show!
In this bonus episode, Dustin chats with Ardis to dive into their anticipation and respective plans for the upcoming ASU+GSV AIR Show. They discuss Element451's advancements in AI tools for education, reflect on their experiences with AI, and the evolution of the ASU+GSV Summit. Ardis shares his excitement around showcasing the developments happening at Element451 to a wider audience, while Dustin details his eagerness to further his learning about AI in a more formal capacity.Let us know if you’ll be there and would like to chat!Guest Name: Ardis Kadiu, Founder & CEO at Element451Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardis
- - - -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.

Apr 10, 2024 • 39min
Episode #224: Redefining Access and Flexibility in Higher Ed
Amy Smith from StraighterLine discusses the organization's innovative approach to making higher education more accessible, affordable, and flexible. With a focus on serving a diverse range of learners, from high school students to working adults, StraighterLine offers online courses that help bridge gaps in traditional education systems. Amy explains how StraighterLine partners with institutions to enhance student retention, persistence, and graduation rates, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the learners' needs and the evolving educational landscape.Guest Name: Dr. Amy Smith - Chief Learning Officer at StraighterLineGuest Bio: Dr. Amy Smith is an educator, a strategist and a data-driven decision maker. Throughout her twenty-year long career, Amy has led transformations and initiatives for national and international organizations in higher education, event technology, engineering, publishing, and K-12 education. She has extensive experience and success in organizational development, change management, human capital management, training, process improvement, and program development. Amy currently serves as the Chief Learning Officer for StraighterLine, where she supports their mission to increase access, affordability and flexibility in the education sector.Guest Social: LinkedIn
- - - -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.

Apr 3, 2024 • 35min
Episode #223: The Future of Work & Apprenticeships as a Pathway to Prosperity
Ryan Craig, managing director at Achieve Partners, joins us to discuss the transformative power of apprenticeships in reshaping the American workforce. Through an engaging conversation, Ryan unveils the concept of his recent book, "Apprentice Nation," which advocates for a significant expansion of apprenticeship programs as a solution to the skills and experience gaps plaguing the current job market. Highlighting the historical context and the need for a paradigm shift in education and employment, Ryan presents apprenticeships as a viable and necessary alternative to traditional college education.Guest Name: Ryan Craig Managing Director at Achieve PartnersGuest Bio: Ryan Craig is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners. Ryan’s commentary on where the puck is going in education and workforce regularly appears in the biweekly Gap Letter, Forbes, and Inside Higher Education. He is the author of A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College (2018), which describes the critical importance of last-mile training and the emergence of bootcamps, income share programs, staffing and apprenticeship models as preferred pathways to good first digital jobs and was named in the Wall Street Journal as one the Books of the Year for 2018. Ryan’s first book was College Disrupted: The Great Unbundling of Higher Education (2015), which profiles the coming shift toward competency-based education and hiring. Ryan is a co-founder of Apprenticeships for America, a national nonprofit dedicated to scaling apprenticeships across the U.S. economy. Previously, Ryan led the Education & Training sector at Warburg Pincus. His prior experience in higher education was at Columbia University. He began his career at McKinsey & Co. Ryan received bachelor's degrees summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University, and his law degree from the Yale Law School.
- - - -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.

Mar 27, 2024 • 39min
Episode #222: The Abundant University - A Vision for the Digital Era of Higher Ed
Michael D. Smith shares profound insights on the digital transformation of higher education, emphasizing the moral and social justice aspects intertwined with technological disruption. Drawing parallels between higher education and other industries, he advocates for a shift from preserving traditional models to focusing on missions that align with societal needs and technological advancements. The episode underscores the importance of accessibility, diversity, and the reevaluation of credentials in fostering a more equitable educational landscape.Guest Name: Michael D. Smith, Professor of Information Technology & Marketing, Carnegie Mellon UniversityGuest Bio: Michael D. Smith is J. Erik Jonsson Professor of Information Technology and Marketing at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Public Policy and Management. Smith is coauthor of the book Streaming, Sharing, Stealing: Big Data and the Future of Entertainment (MIT Press).Guest Social: LinkedIn
- - - -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.

Mar 20, 2024 • 35min
Episode #221: From Scholar to Citizen: Reimagining Higher Ed's Purpose
In a candid discussion with Bill Coplin, we dive deep into the critical examination of the liberal arts education model. Bill shares his journey from being disillusioned with traditional education pathways to pioneering a skills-focused approach at Syracuse University. This episode sheds light on the importance of experiential learning, the pitfalls of a scholar-focused system, and the need for higher education to serve the "commoner" by preparing students for real-world challenges and careers.Guest Name: Dr. Bill Coplin, Professor of Policy Studies, Syracuse UniversityGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Dr. Bill Coplin is the founder and professor of the highly successful undergraduate Policy Studies Major at Syracuse University which meets the goals of an undergraduate professional program while maintaining the integrity of a degree in the liberal arts. He is the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence at the Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University. An author of 110 books and articles, many of which are in education, has taught and advised tens of thousands of undergraduates over his 50+ years of teaching.
- - - -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.

Mar 13, 2024 • 35min
Episode #220: Navigating the Apprenticeship Revolution: A New Path for Higher Ed
In this enlightening conversation with Rebecca Agostino, VP of Learning at Multiverse, we delve into the transformative potential of apprenticeships in higher education and workforce development. Rebecca shares her journey from the K-12 sector to championing apprenticeships, offering insights into how these programs provide rigorous, joyful, and career-defining opportunities that traditional college paths may not. The episode explores the benefits of applied learning, the importance of durable skills, and the evolving landscape of career preparation.Guest Name: Rebecca Agostino, Vice President of Learning at MultiverseGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Rebecca Agostino is vice president of learning at Multiverse in North America, leading the program, coaching and intervention teams for the U.S. region. While at Multiverse, she has helped create new talent development programs, like AI Jumpstart, to ensure apprentices have access to the skills they need in the future of work. Rebecca is passionate about her work and has spoken about skills and the importance of hiring for skills at leading conferences, including EdTech Week and the ASU+GSV Summit. Prior to her time at Multiverse, Rebecca was the founding principal of Freedom Prep High School, a college-preparatory school in Camden, New Jersey, and a special educator in New York City.
- - - -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.