The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

This week, we’re featuring a conversation with Sara Leoni, CEO of Ziplines Education, about how her company partners with universities to offer industry-aligned certificate programs designed to upskill adult learners into tech-adjacent careers. Sara shares insights on the evolving workforce, the need for flexible, accessible education, and the importance of addressing regional disparities in education and employment opportunities. They also discuss the significance of building community through learning and the role of universities in providing career pathways for mainstream America.Guest Name: Sara Leoni, CEO at Ziplines EducationGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Sara Leoni is CEO and founder of Ziplines Education, a market-driven education company that partners with universities to deliver industry-focused certificate courses that prepare professionals for today’s digital-first workforce. The company recently announced its $6.4 million Series A funding to help close the skills gap. With a career spanning more than 20 years, Sara thrives on building, focusing, and motivating high-performing teams to solve big programs, while delivering significant growth in high-impact businesses. As a sought-after thought leader, she has been a speaker at industry-leading events and conferences, such as the ASU+GSV Summit; Dreamforce, Salesforce’s annual international event; and UPCEA Annual Conference, the premier event for thought leaders and practitioners in the fields of professional, continuing, and online education. Prior to launching Ziplines Education, Sara was CEO of Rafter, a $50 million course-material, technology-management company that served hundreds of colleges nationwide, where she spearheaded efforts saving students half a billion dollars. - - - -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 insightful conversation, Dustin speaks with Kat Liendgens, CEO of Hannon Hill, about the unique challenges international students face when navigating university websites and how institutions can enhance their online presence to attract and support global learners. Kat shares her personal experience as an international student, discusses the evolving role of marketing and IT in higher ed, and highlights key strategies for improving website usability. This episode is packed with practical tips on how universities can reduce friction for international students and create an inclusive, personalized digital experience.Guest Name: Kat Liendgens, CEO at Hannon HillGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Kat Liendgens has been the CEO of Hannon Hill since 2011, guiding the company to become a leader in web content management systems, particularly in higher education. Kat began her career at Hannon Hill as the Professional Services Manager and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming COO and later CEO within two years. Before joining Hannon Hill, she held leadership roles in IT, including Associate Dean of IT and IT Manager. Under Kat’s leadership, Hannon Hill has achieved significant milestones, including the launch of the Cascade Cloud offering and a complete overhaul of the Cascade 8 user interface. She has also led the development of Clive, Hannon Hill’s web personalization platform, positioning the company at the forefront of web personalization long before it became a standard in the industry. - - - -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 special episode recorded live at EdTech Week 2024 in New York City, Kevin Harrington from Rize Education discusses the evolution of higher education, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among institutions, the integration of AI in curricula, and the need to adapt to changing student demands. He shares insights on how Rize Education aims to provide a high-quality educational experience while addressing the challenges faced by smaller regional colleges. The discussion highlights the significance of networking at events like EdTech Week and the potential for innovative partnerships to enhance educational offerings.Guest Name: Kevin Harrington, Co-Founder & CEO at Rize EducationGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Kevin Harrington co-founded Rize Education in 2019. After working on Wall Street for The Blackstone Group, Kevin moved to rural Michigan, along with Rize’s other co-founders, to learn first hand about the challenges facing higher education at Adrian College. His deep passion for expanding access to education and economic mobility is core to everything we do at Rize. - - - -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 Shawn Boom, CEO of Labster, about the transformative power of immersive learning technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Shawn shares how Labster is reshaping the educational landscape, particularly in STEM fields, by providing students with hands-on, immersive learning experiences. These technologies not only make learning more accessible and engaging but also help students gain the confidence they need to thrive in high-demand fields like healthcare and STEM. They discuss the challenges in education today, from shrinking student populations to the need for relevant, modern learning experiences.Guest Name: Shawn Boom, CEO at LabsterGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Shawn Boom currently serves as the CEO of Labster. Shawn’s prior roles in the edtech industry include working nine-plus years with Blackboard, the online learning management system (LMS) now part of Anthology, where he held the position of global vice president. He previously spent five-plus years as director of sales for The Active Network, with a focus on the higher education market. Most recently, he spent nearly six years with K12 and non-profit focused fintech provider Vanco, serving as CEO and Executive Chairman. - - - -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 is joined by Tara Gilboa, a former educator and current Executive Director of Colorado's Tech Talent Partnership. Together, they explore the growing need for local workforce development, particularly in tech and cybersecurity, and how Colorado is addressing this challenge with innovative pathways for students. Tara shares insights on the importance of collaboration between educators, employers, and learners, and how this approach can make education more equitable and aligned with real-world job demands.Guest Name: Tara Gilboa, Executive Director of Tech Talent PartnershipGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Tara is the Executive Director of The Tech Talent Partnership, where she strives to increase economic mobility for Coloradans through employer-led pipeline management solutions.  She is a former Entrepreneur-in-Residence with the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator and education leader for several public education institutions. Most recently as the Platform Programs Director at M13 Ventures, she supported the former executive team from Digital Ocean to launch playbooks for hiring and recruiting, organizational design, and OKR frameworks. She is committed to supporting Coloradan businesses thrive through best-in-class employer-ready talent and to championing education institutions to deliver streamlined pathways. - - - -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 dynamic episode, Nicole Baldassarre, Strategic Activator at Beyond Academics, joins Dustin to discuss the intersection of human-centered skills, AI, and higher education transformation. Nicole shares her journey into ed tech, explores the role of empathy and emotional intelligence in today's evolving workforce, and emphasizes the importance of technology as a tool to empower—not replace—human potential. From AI-driven efficiencies to the need for human connection, this conversation dives deep into how institutions can leverage both technology and human skills to stay ahead.Guest Name: Nicole Baldassarre, Strategic Activator at Beyond AcademicsGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Nicole Baldassarre is the Strategic Activator at Beyond Academics, leveraging her strengths in seeing patterns where others see complexity to develop human-centered strategies that inspire action across higher ed. Nicole leads with curiosity and authenticity, and is passionate about restoring the lost art of human connection in the networked age. In her free time you can find her hosting gatherings accompanied by her signature cheese and charcuterie boards and/or bothering her fluffy, grumpy-face orange cat, Ziggy. - - - -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 is joined by Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, host of The Rant podcast, and former Chancellor of California Community Colleges. Eloy shares his perspective on the shifting landscape of higher education as it evolves beyond focusing solely on access and completion. Eloy shares his insights on the critical need to rethink higher ed’s role in driving economic mobility, especially for underserved students. He also dives into how higher education can create more opportunities for more students to achieve real-world outcomes in a skills-based economy. Finally, Eloy offers practical advice for higher ed leaders on staying authentic and student-centric in their approach.Guest Name: Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President & CEO of College Futures FoundationGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Eloy Ortiz Oakley is an experienced and nationally recognized higher education leader and a champion for equity in higher education. He has a clear track record of designing and implementing policy reforms that improve outcomes for students of all backgrounds. Eloy is also an experienced board member and advisor that actively engages in challenging the status quo. He is skilled in visualizing the future and developing strategies that leverage trends, technologies and evolving perceptions 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.

Dustin is joined by David Marchick, Dean of American University's Kogod School of Business, and Angela Virtu, Professorial Lecturer, to discuss how AI is reshaping business education. They share insights into Kogod’s AI curriculum, which aims to equip all students, regardless of their major, with AI literacy. They talk about the importance of adapting to AI’s growing presence and the practical steps Kogod is taking to ensure students remain competitive in an evolving job market.Guest Names: David Marchick, Dean at Kogod School of Business at American UniversityAngela Virtu, Professorial Lecturer at Kogod School of Business at American UniversityGuest Socials: David - LinkedInAngela - LinkedInGuest Bios: David Marchick serves as Dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University. In this role, he leads the school’s work to support more than 2,000 students and offer more than two dozen undergraduate and graduate degree and certification programs.Since Marchick took on the role of Dean in August 2022, the Kogod School of Business has unveiled major initiatives in sustainability, AI and entrepreneurship; raised more than the previous 10 years combined; attracted its largest-ever first-year undergraduate class; and almost doubled the number of endowed chairs for the school. Angela Virtu is a Professorial Lecturer in the IT & Analytics department at American University’s Kogod School of Business, where she teaches courses on technology, data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). As the AI Instructional Faculty Fellow, she leads Kogod’s AI strategy and spearheads faculty and staff training initiatives. Prior to academia, Angela developed AI and machine learning solutions that bridged theoretical innovation with practical, ethical applications, driving organizational integration and measurable business impact.  - - - -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 Ramsdell sits down with Dr. Raye Mahlberg, Assistant Vice President for Learner Experience at Nightingale College, to discuss the innovative ways the institution is transforming nursing education. From using augmented and virtual reality to providing flexible, fully online programs, Nightingale College is making nursing education more accessible, particularly in underserved rural areas. Dr. Mahlberg shares insights on how these strategies are helping to address the nursing shortage and improving healthcare outcomes in communities across the country.Guest Name: Dr. Raye Mahlberg, Assistant Vice President for Learner Experience at Nightingale CollegeGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: With over 20 years of experience in higher education leadership, Dr. Raye Mahlberg is a dedicated and innovative professional who strives to create positive and impactful learning experiences for students. As the Assistant Vice President of Learner Experience at Nightingale College, she oversees the wraparound support services for the institution’s nursing learners.Raye’s core competencies include curriculum development, enrollment management, training and development, presentation skills training, and student development. She enjoys finding creative solutions to problems, and helping others to be the best they can be. Raye’s mission is to empower learners to achieve their educational and career goals, and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and society. - - - -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 immensely proud to feature a thought-provoking conversation with Michael Horn on the podcast this week. Michael is a leading authority on education innovation and disruption who has written several books about the sector, such as Choosing College and the forthcoming title, Job Moves. He is also the co-host of the fantastic Future U Podcast. Michael shares his perspectives on the evolving landscape of higher education, the importance of adopting new learning models, and strategies for institutions to stay relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world.Guest Name: Michael Horn - Author, Speaker, Podcaster and ProfessorGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Michael Horn is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a non-profit think tank, and teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He cohosts the top education podcasts Future U and Class Disrupted. He is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and writes the Substack newsletter The Future of Education. Michael also serves as an executive editor at Education Next, and his work has been featured in outlets such as TheNew York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Harvard Business Review, and NBC. - - - -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.