The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

What if your student success team had AI-powered tools that could prep meeting notes, flag at-risk students in real time, and prove the ROI of your campus programs—all without needing “perfect” data? In this episode, Civitas Learning CEO Will Ballard breaks down how their platform makes this possible.From demystifying data integration to showcasing real-world use cases of predictive and generative AI, Will shares a refreshingly honest and technical take on what higher ed institutions can (and should) be doing right now to increase student retention and graduation outcomes.Guest Name: Will Ballard - CEO at Civitas LearningGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: An accomplished technology company executive and engineering leader who first joined Civitas Learning as chief technology officer in 2020, Will Ballard has more than twenty years of experience managing large technical and engineering teams as well as supporting customer success for enterprise technology customers. - - - -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.

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.

In this bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin chats with Gaurav Bradoo from Logitech about how colleges and universities can embrace hardware innovation to enhance teaching and learning—without overcomplicating things. From lecture capture and audio solutions to flexible classroom design and accessibility, Gaurav shares Logitech’s approach to creating simple, scalable, and human-centered tech environments that meet students where they are—whether that’s in the classroom, online, or somewhere in between.Guest Name: Gaurav Bradoo - Head of Product & Portfolio of Education at LogitechGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Gaurav Bradoo is the Head of Product and Portfolio of Education at Logitech. He is an advocate for designing education products for and with students as a way to boost student engagement and outcomes. Gaurav works at the nexus of human-centered design, engineering and business strategy to create delightful experiences that span physical and digital realms. - - - -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 Crista Copp and Mark McCormack from EDUCAUSE to unpack their just-released 2026 Top 10 List. From AI and digital literacy to resilience and community building, the conversation explores the critical shifts happening in higher ed technology. The theme? Intentionality and connection—both between people and across systems. This is the episode for campus leaders navigating change and looking for clarity amid complexity.Guest Names:Mark McCormack - Senior Director of Research and Insights at EDUCAUSE Crista Copp - Vice President of Research at EDUCAUSEGuest Socials:Mark McCormack Crista CoppGuest Bios:Mark McCormack, Ph.D., serves as the EDUCAUSE Senior Director of Analytics & Research, overseeing the association's member-facing data and analytics services (Core Data Service, ETRAC) and portfolio of original research projects. Before coming to EDUCAUSE, Mark served in leadership and research positions for professional associations and other non-profit organizations across a variety of spheres, including higher education, K-12 education, youth development, performing arts, and community development. Crista Copp leads research and data initiatives at EDUCAUSE that empower higher education leaders to make informed decisions about technology, strategy, and the student experience. Her work connects data with purpose—translating complex trends into actionable insights that support innovation, equity, and institutional resilience. Together with a talented team, Crista is shaping a research agenda that is not only informative, but transformative. - - - -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 has an energizing conversation with Jeff Dinski and Mike Wulff from Ellucian. They discuss the evolving role of technology in higher education—from designing intuitive student-first systems to closing the gap between academic credentials and real-world workforce needs. They unpack what it really takes to build agile, data-driven institutions, and highlight Ellucian’s latest innovations that aim to transform student outcomes.Guest Names: Michael Wulff - Chief Product and Technology Officer at EllucianJeff Dinski - Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer at EllucianGuest Socials:Mike WulffJeff DinskiGuest Bios:Mike Wulff - As Chief Product and Technology Officer, Mike Wulff leads Ellucian's engineering and product management teams, driving growth initiatives focused on digital transformation and cloud adoption. Mike has more than 25 years of experience in the software industry, architecting and developing complex industry-focused solutions. Previously Mike served as a Senior Vice President of R&D at Ellucian, leading the teams responsible for the development of Ellucian's ERP and SIS solutions.Jeff Dinski - As Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, Jeff Dinski is responsible for driving Ellucian’s growth strategy with a focus on market expansion, strategy and insights, corporate development, competitive intelligence, and analyst relations. He brings deep knowledge and expertise in market analysis and strategy to this newly created role. With more than 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and operator in the education technology and media sectors, Jeff has delivered extraordinary results for both large conglomerates and startups. - - - -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.

Stephen Laster, CEO of Panopto and a 25-year veteran in the edtech space, joins Dustin to talk about how smart technology—and especially AI—can elevate educators rather than overshadow them. From his early days pioneering blended MBA programs to leading at institutions like Harvard Business School and McGraw-Hill, Stephen shares how technology should be applied to serve pedagogy, not the other way around.In this episode, you'll hear why seamless digital ecosystems matter, how institutions can build effective AI strategies, and why empowering faculty is the key to meaningful innovation. With a refreshingly human-centered view, Stephen helps us rethink what's possible when tech meets intention.Guest Name: Stephen Laster - CEO at PanoptoGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: A passionate advocate for technology’s role in human progress, Stephen Laster combines deep expertise with pragmatic innovation to help shape the future of formal and informal learning delivered through state-of-the-art technology. With more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of education and enterprise transformation, Stephen has championed advancements in learning technology. At D2L, where he served as President, he played a pivotal role in scaling digital learning platforms for institutions and organizations across the globe. His background also includes forward-thinking roles at McGraw-Hill Education, Ellucian, Harvard Business School, and Babson College, where his teams worked closely with customers to transform learning globally. Stephen holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and an MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. - - - -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 from EdTech Week 2025, Dustin chats with Matt Stinson, CRO at Starbridge. They discuss Matt’s journey to joining the team, and how their unique platform is enabling more efficient and effective partnerships to be forged between edtech companies and public institutions using AI.Guest Name: Matt Stinson - Chief Revenue Officer at StarbridgeGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Matt Stinson is currently building Starbridge, the GTM Intelligence Platform for businesses selling to government & education. Starbridge helps partners leverage industry-specific buying signals - such as strategic plans, board meeting notes, budgets, grants, competitor contract expiration dates, and more - to build a tailored, outbound strategy that drives pipeline.Before Starbridge, Matt led sales at Parchment on a journey to $100M in ARR selling to K12 districts, Higher Ed, and state governments before being acquired by Instructure. While at Parchment, he lived the challenge of selling to government and education entities. With the proliferation of spray-and-pray outbound, that challenge has only gotten harder. - - - -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 from EdTech Week 2025, Dustin chats with K. Rocco Shields, CEO of Genius Academy. They discuss the important work her and her team are doing partnering with institutions to create high quality, immersive learning content for a variety of disciplines. Rocco also shares a bit about her personal story that drives her work and underpins why it is so important.Guest Name: K. Rocco Shields - CEO at Genius AcademyGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: K. Rocco Shields, a celebrated filmmaker, has made a significant impact in both the film industry and education technology. She currently serves as CEO of Genius Academy which is an innovative educational platform that merges AI, cinematic storytelling, and immersive technologies to address the mental health crisis. Her transition from a successful filmmaker to an educational technology innovator was driven by a deep commitment to leveraging media for societal change and developing pioneering educational experiences. - - - -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 if innovation didn’t require a stroke of genius—just a willingness to be a little “-ish”? In this episode, Dustin chats with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden, co-authors of Innovation-ish, a new book that challenges the myths surrounding creativity and innovation. Drawing from years of teaching at Stanford and Harvard, Tessa and Rich share how higher ed pros can reframe innovation as accessible, iterative, and emotionally safe. This isn’t a startup pitch session—it’s a call to reclaim creativity as a teachable skill, one that’s essential for thriving in ambiguity.Guest Name: Dr. Tessa Forshaw - Researcher & Instructor at Harvard UniversityRichard Cox Braden - Founder & CEO at People RocketGuest Bio: Dr. Tessa Forshaw - As a founding scholar of the Next Level Lab at Harvard University, Tessa specializes in using cognitive science to explore how people best work, learn, and innovate. She draws upon her academic research as a cognitive scientist and extensive background as a former designer at IDEO CoLAb and Accenture to turn the cognitive processes involved in design, creativity, and innovation into practical insights that can be applied in the flow of work. These insights are also the foundations of what she teaches as a design educator at Stanford University and now Harvard University. Recognized for her impactful design projects, Tessa is the recipient of multiple design awards: a Fast Company Design Award for General Excellence, two Core77 Industrial Design Magazine Design Awards, and the Australian American Chamber of Commerce Innovation Awards.Richard Cox Braden - Rich Braden is the founder of People Rocket LLC, a strategic innovation firm based in San Francisco. With over 15 years of academic experience, Rich is a recognized thought leader in design thinking, leadership, and innovation. He is a design educator teaching at renowned institutions including Harvard University, Stanford University, Aalto University, and London Business School, helping shape future leaders. As CEO of People Rocket, he works with clients such as Airbnb, Google, the United Nations, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and the Red Cross to drive strategic innovation and responsible AI solutions. Rich holds degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. - - - -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 Faton Sopa from Manaferra back on the show this week (listen to his previous episode!) to discuss the recent research his team produced that unpacks new details about student search behaviors. Faton shares why traditional SEO tactics are no longer cutting it—and what institutions must do instead to gain visibility, build trust, and drive enrollment. Spoiler: it's time to ditch the one-channel strategy and embrace an omnichannel mindset rooted in real student data.Guest Name: Faton Sopa - Co-Founder and CEO at ManaferraGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Faton Sopa is the Co-Founder and CEO of Manaferra, a leading higher ed SEO agency helping universities and colleges grow enrollments. With 15+ years of experience in digital marketing, Faton has pioneered strategies that integrate data-driven insights with AI, Content and Analytics to deliver measurable results for universities and colleges in the US. Under his leadership, Manaferra has become a trusted partner for higher ed institutions looking to leverage SEO and Content to meet their enrollment goals. Passionate about transforming how institutions connect with prospective students in an increasingly competitive landscape, he frequently speaks on topics like AI, SEO, Analytics, and digital transformation 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 milestone 300th episode, Sophie Nguyen, Senior Policy Manager at New America, joins Dustin to unpack the newest findings from the new 2025 Varying Degrees report — a data-rich look at how Americans view the role, value, and future of higher education. From surprising bipartisan agreement to the communication failures of institutions, this episode reveals what colleges need to know and do to rebuild public trust and deliver on their promise.This episode includes a sponsored question in partnership with Brian LeDuc, founder of Learning, Designed — a consulting practice and newsletter focused on helping higher ed institutions design more student-centered systems and strategies.You can subscribe to the newsletter here.Guest Name: Sophie Nguyen - Senior Policy Manager at New AmericaGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: Sophie Nguyen is a senior policy manager with the higher education team at New America. Her work focuses on college completion and public opinion in higher education. Nguyen leads Varying Degrees, New America’s annual survey that looks into how Americans perceive important higher education issues regarding value, funding, and accountability. Nguyen also manages the HigherEd Public Opinion Hub, an online repository of higher education surveys, and co-authors Public Insight, New America's monthly newsletter that provides analysis on survey findings. Her work on public opinion has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, Inside Higher Ed, Higher Ed Dive, and other news outlets. - - - -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.