The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

Mar 06 2025 297 ep. 36 mins 18
The Higher Ed Geek Podcast artwork

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.

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Live from SXSW EDU 2025: AI, Talent Gaps, and the Urgency of Higher Ed Innovation

Mar 06 2025 33 mins  
Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, joins Dustin for a candid conversation about the urgent need for higher ed to take a proactive role in shaping the future workforce. From talent shortages to AI’s impact on job readiness, Bridget shares why hope isn’t a strategy—and what institutions must do to stay ahead. She challenges universities to work togeth

Episode #269: Why Transformational Leadership Is No Longer Optional in Higher Ed

Mar 05 2025 45 mins  
This week, Dustin sits down with Dr. Keith Edwards, a speaker, author, coach, and co-host of Student Affairs Now, to discuss the urgent need for transformational leadership in higher education. With the pace of change accelerating, institutions can no longer rely on outdated models of leadership. Keith shares powerful insights on why leaders must move beyond transactional thinking,

Episode #268: How Res Life Pros Can Use Tech Without Losing the Human Touch

Feb 26 2025 32 mins  
Dustin chats with Dr. Paul Gordon Brown for this week’s episode, an expert in residence life technology and thought leadership, to explore how digital tools are reshaping the residential education experience. As the co-founder of Roompact, Paul shares insights on the evolution of res life tech, why AI is often misused in higher ed, and the importance of thoughtful, intentional te

Episode #267: How Leaders Can Fix The Biggest Gaps in College Admissions

Feb 19 2025 36 mins  
This week, Dustin sits down with Dr. Pamela Ellis to discuss how students and families can navigate the complex college admissions process with confidence. Drawing from her vast experience, Dr. Ellis shares insights on what truly makes a college the “right fit,” why independence is a key motivator for students, and how institutions can better support student success. From debun

Episode #266: Exploring Current Trends in Digital Alumni Engagement

Feb 12 2025 46 mins  
How do you get alumni to actually engage? It’s the million-dollar question for higher ed advancement teams—and today, we’ve got answers. In this week’s episode, Ryan Catherwood, Senior Vice President at Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting (CMAC), Senior Consultant at Washburn & McGoldrick, and host of the Alumless podcast joins Dustin to break down the evolving landscape

Episode #265: Small Steps, Big Impact: How to Build a Digitally Accessible Campus

Feb 05 2025 41 mins  
In this episode, Dustin chats with Kate DeForest, Web and Digital Content Coordinator at SUNY Oswego, about the importance of digital accessibility in higher education. Kate shares her journey into accessibility work, the transformative lessons she’s learned along the way, and practical strategies for making these improvements less overwhelming. From leveraging James Clear’s At

Episode #264: How Ghost Students Are Threatening Higher Ed Enrollment Goals

Jan 29 2025 27 mins  
In this eye-opening episode, Dustin chats with Brian Suponcic, Senior Vice President of Sales and Client Operations at BMTX, about the growing issue of enrollment fraud and its ripple effects on higher education institutions. From the rise of "ghost students" to the role of AI in both perpetrating and preventing fraud, Brian shares actionable insights for tackling these challenges

Episode #263: How Higher Ed Leaders Can Revolutionize Workforce Development

Jan 22 2025 34 mins  
This week, Dustin is joined by Julian Alssid and Kaitlin LeMoine, founders of Work Forces, about the evolving landscape of workforce development and higher education's critical role in preparing learners for career success. Julian and Kaitlin share their wealth of experience in bridging education, industry, and government partnerships to close skill gaps and create sustainable, sca

Episode #262: How Institutional Collaboration is the Future of Higher Ed

Jan 15 2025 36 mins  
In this episode, Dustin sits down with Dr. Michael Horowitz, Founder and Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, to discuss the transformative power of collaboration in higher education. Dr. Horowitz shares updates on the system's expansion, its innovative governance model, and the critical role of shared infrastructure in fostering growth. Together, they explore how

Episode #261: Empowering Change Amidst Turmoil in Higher Education

Jan 08 2025 39 mins  
For our kickoff episode of 2025, Dustin sits down with Rob Buelow, General Manager of Education at Vector Solutions, to unpack the seismic shifts in higher education over recent years, including financial aid disruptions and the rollback of affirmative action. Rob dives deep into the challenges—and opportunities—that are reshaping the sector. He also shares some recent research