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PODCAST

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.

education marketing

All Episodes

00:28:46

Episode #350: Lessons From a Compound Career Path

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/10/07

What can acting, professional poker, and a nonlinear career teach us about the future of higher education? Christina Lindley, Founder & CEO of VPRG Consulting, shares her unconventional career journey and the transferable skills that shaped her approach to business, strategy, risk, and partnerships. She also discusses how AI is changing enrollment and student decision-making, why institutions need to rethink how they stay relevant to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and the emerging potential of

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00:25:10

Live at EDUCAUSE 2026: Inside the EdTech Top 40 with...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/10/01

In this bonus episode recorded as part of our virtual EDUCAUSE 2026 coverage, Dustin speaks with Ryan Lufkin from Instructure, about the inaugural EdTech Top 40: Inside the U.S. Higher Education Digital LearningStack. Based on aggregated LTI launch data, the report offers a data-driven look at how institutions are actually using educational technology—and where the biggest gaps and opportunities remain. They discuss why enterprise-wide access to AI tools like Gemini, Copilot, Claude, and ChatGPT

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00:46:03

Episode #349: Building a University Strategic Plan...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/09/30

Strategic planning in higher ed can easily become a long, complicated process that produces a rigid document that no one ends up really using. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Holtan, Associate Provost at Carroll University and host of the Get Down to College Business podcast, shares how her institution approached strategic planning as a collaborative, data-informed, and adaptable process. She discusses building a representative core team, narrowing dozens of ideas into a few signature commitments, using

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00:35:30

Episode #348: How to Navigate Higher Ed’s Polycrises...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/09/23

Higher education is currently navigating a “polycrisis” of enrollment pressures, financial uncertainty, digital transformation, AI, infrastructure challenges, and more. In this episode, Tracey Swift, editor-in-chief of Higher Ed Risk Magazine, explores all of this and makes the case for rethinking risk management as a strategic tool for institutional resilience. She shares why leaders need to move beyond reactive crisis planning, embrace enterprise risk thinking, and use risk management to make

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00:30:29

Fixing Higher Ed’s Broken Business Model

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/09/22

What happens when higher education loses sight of its purpose—and what would it take to rebuild public trust? Teege Mettille, author of College Is Broken and host of the companion podcast, discusses the forces driving skepticism about higher education, from misleading college pricing and unrealistic enrollment expectations to institutions losing touch with their mission. He shares insights from interviews with more than 100 people and offers practical ideas for moving forward, including more

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00:28:07

Episode #347: Harnessing Summer Programs to...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/09/16

In this week’s episode, Dustin speaks with Frank Steslow, CEO of SSP International, about how immersive summer STEM programs create meaningful opportunities for students while delivering strategic value for colleges and universities. They explore why the most successful partnerships go beyond simply renting campus space—bringing together faculty, student affairs, conference services, and institutional leadership to create experiences that help students build confidence, discover a sense of

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00:33:36

Episode #346: Why Campus Design Still Matters in the...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/09/09

For this week’s episode, we’re pleased to speak with Martin Kimmel, President & Co-Founder of Kimmel Architecture, about how thoughtful campus design can strengthen institutional identity in an era of financial constraints and evolving student expectations. They discuss why the most effective campus projects aren't necessarily the biggest or most expensive, but the ones that reinforce an institution's mission, improve the student experience, and make the smartest use of existing spaces. From

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00:37:37

Episode #345: Building a Mission-Driven Culture of...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/09/02

We’re proud to welcome Dr. Brooke Elliott, Dean of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois to the show this week. She shares her perspective on leading with purpose during a time of rapid change in higher education.Dean Elliott discusses how a mission-driven culture, intentional innovation, and a commitment to expanding access have helped Gies grow its impact while preparing students for an increasingly dynamic workforce. Rather than chasing trends, Dean Elliott makes the case

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00:50:13

Episode #344: Why Higher Education Needs an Operating...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/08/26

Ian Gibson, Dean of San Diego State University’s Global Campus, joins the podcast this week to discuss why higher education needs an "operating system upgrade" to meet the realities of today's learners, and how to achieve this structural reform and digital transformation. He shares how institutions can expand access through online learning, lifelong education, and global partnerships while maintaining academic rigor, mission, and supportive student experiences.Rather than treating innovation as a

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00:40:18

Episode #343: How La Salle University Became the...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/08/19

In this week’s episode, Dustin speaks with Dr. Daniel Allen, President of La Salle University, about the institution's remarkable turnaround and the leadership principles behind its recognition as the "Comeback College." Rather than chasing flashy higher education trends, Dr. Allen shares how La Salle leaned into its core identity—prioritizing teaching excellence, student success, and a strong sense of community—to reverse enrollment declines and strengthen its financial position.The conversation

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00:34:40

Episode #342: Education Without Borders in an Age of...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/08/12

In this week’s episode, Dustin speaks with Omar Chihane, Global General Manager of TOEFL at ETS, about the evolving landscape of international student mobility and the growing importance of English proficiency in an AI-driven world. Drawing on his own international journey and global perspective, Omar explores how students are making increasingly pragmatic decisions about where to study, balancing factors like cost, visa certainty, career outcomes, and long-term opportunities. Guest Name: Omar

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00:38:58

Episode #341: The Evolution of Parent and Family...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/08/05

We welcome Leslie Gale from CampusESP to the show this week to talk about the evolving role of parents and families in the higher education journey. Drawing on new survey data from more than 43,000 family members, they explore how institutions can better support student success by delivering timely, relevant information and embracing parents as partners throughout enrollment, persistence, and beyond.Guest Name: Dr. Leslie Gale - VP of Customer Success & Account Management at CampusESP Guest Social:

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00:34:29

The AI MBA That's Challenging Higher Education

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/08/04

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Nick Ladany to the show, President of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) and previous Enrollify Hall of Famer. He shares what it takes to fundamentally rethink higher education for today's learners. Dr. Ladany explains SFBU's student-centered approach to affordability, accelerated degree pathways, wraparound support services, and faculty development before diving into the launch of the university's new AI-powered MBA ProPlus program. Dr. Ladany challenges higher

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00:20:29

Live at eduWeb 2026 with Laura Beth Telep

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/07/31

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, we speak with Laura Beth of CLYDE about how AI is reshaping higher education marketing, communications, and public relations. They discuss why institutions need to rethink their websites as content engines for generating perception by AI rather than just destinations for human visitors. Laura Beth also shares how earned media, press releases, and even Reddit have become increasingly valuable sources for showing up in AI-powered

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00:35:33

Live at eduWeb 2026 with Toni Marie Perilli

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/07/30

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Dustin chats with Toni Marie Perilli from Fordham University about why retention marketing deserves a seat alongside enrollment and advancement as a core strategy for student success. They explore how institutions can better connect students with the resources, people, and opportunities already available to them by creating more intentional, coordinated communications throughout the student journey. The conversation also examines

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00:35:12

Episode #340: Creating Transparent Learning...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/07/29

For this week's episode, Dustin speaks with Jenny Maxwell of Superhuman about the evolving relationship between AI and academic integrity in higher education. They explore how institutions can move beyond viewing AI as a threat and instead embrace more transparent, collaborative approaches that help students learn with AI while maintaining trust, accountability, and meaningful assessment practices.Jenny also highlights Grammarly Authorship, which provides visibility into how students create and

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00:33:16

Live at eduWeb 2026 with Audrey Ward

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/07/28

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Audrey Ward from Ologie joins the show to discuss how higher education marketers can navigate the AI era without losing the authenticity that makes their institutions stand out. She shares her perspective on how AI is changing search, content strategy, and digital visibility, while arguing that the fundamentals of great marketing—knowing your audience, telling clear stories, and building trust—matter more than ever. Guest Name:

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00:21:01

Live at eduWeb 2026 with Nathan Monk

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/07/27

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Nathan Monk from Prospectus Plus jumps on to talk about why the traditional college viewbook is overdue for a digital transformation. They explore how personalized, interactive digital publications can better engage prospective students, alumni, and other audiences while providing institutions with valuable insights into what content resonates most. The conversation also challenges higher education leaders to rethink long-standing

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00:27:21

Live at eduWeb 2026 with Dan Desrochers

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/07/24

In this bonus episode recorded live at the eduWeb Summit in Orlando, Dustin speaks with Dan Desrochers of Amherst College about what it means to serve as an embedded communications leader within student affairs and why context, process, and strong relationships are essential to effective higher education marketing. They discuss the value of building thoughtful communication strategies, leveraging AI to enhance workflows without sacrificing creativity, and resisting the urge to chase every new

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00:34:43

Episode #339: Creating Trustworthy AI-Powered...

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast ·

2026/07/22

This week, Dustin chats with Dr. Dave Duke, Chief Product Officer at McGraw Hill, about how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and academic integrity in higher education. He highlights some new product developments for their learning tools as well as the recently released Sharpen Advantage. Drawing on his background in psychology and product design, Dave explores how students make rational decisions about AI use, why traditional views of academic integrity are becoming more nuanced, and how

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