Advertise on podcast: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

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 Learning Stack. 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 doesn't necessarily translate into meaningful course-level adoption; the importance of training, support, and implementation; and what an average of 28 unique LTI tools says about the complexity of today's ed tech ecosystems. Guest Name: Ryan Lufkin - VP of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest 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 Ramsdell https://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.

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 AI to identify themes, separating strategy from operations, and creating an action plan that can evolve as circumstances change. Guest Name: Dr. Sarah Holtan - Associate Provost at Carroll University Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Sarah Holtan, PhD, is an Associate Provost and Professor of Communication at Carroll University. She is the host and producer of an award-winning podcast, Get Down to College Business, which explores the intersections among business, operations, and higher education. The goal is to highlight lessons from various industry and college leaders on how to improve higher education. She co-owns construction-supporting businesses and serves on several boards to stay connected to local industries in southeast Wisconsin. Her favorite job is being a mom to her two children. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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.

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 smarter decisions about innovation, technology, finances, and the future of their institutions.  Guest Name: Tracey Swift - Editor-in-Chief at HigherEdRisk Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Tracey Swift is a risk management and insurance executive with 20+ years leading risk strategy across Fortune 500 corporations and higher education institutions. She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of HigherEdRisk, a publication that provides higher education leaders and boards with actionable risk intelligence to strengthen institutional resilience. Previously, Tracey served as Executive Director of Risk Management at Arizona State University, overseeing enterprise risk and insurance programs. Earlier in her career, she held corporate risk management and commercial insurance brokerage roles across consumer products, telecommunications, and financial services. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 sustainable budgeting, greater transparency, and a “high-tech, high-touch” approach to enrollment that puts students back at the center. Guest Name: Teege Mettille - College Admissions Expert, Author & Speaker Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Teege Mettille spent more than twenty years inside admissions and enrollment management at small private Midwest institutions, finishing at the vice president level, and now writes and speaks as a reformed insider critiquing the systems he helped build. He is the author of College Is Broken, The Admissions Counselor Malaise, and The Signal Solution (with Geoff Baird), and co-hosts the Admissions Directors Lunchcast with Nathan Ament. A first-generation college student himself, he runs Class 101 Waukesha-Brookfield, where he works directly with southeastern Wisconsin families on the college search. He is rarely seen without a bow tie. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 belonging, and envision themselves on campus. The conversation also highlights how these programs can strengthen recruitment, reinforce institutional mission, and remind higher education leaders that collaboration across campus is often the key to creating lasting impact. Guest Name: Frank Steslow - CEO at SSP International Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: As CEO since March 2023, Frank Steslow brings a wealth of non-profit leadership experience. Over the past 30 years, mostly in the cultural sector, Frank has led several science-based, non-profit organizations through transition and growth. He was thrilled to join SSPI as its first Chief Executive Officer, succeeding the organization's long time Executive Director, Richard Bowdon. In this role, Frank works with the Board of Trustees, alumni, and staff to strengthen and expand SSPI’s existing programs, create new programs and expand the impact and reach of the organization, especially to students who may not have been aware or had the means to participate in the program previously. Frank earned a BS in Microbiology from Penn State, and a MS in Public Health from University of South Florida. Frank currently resides with his wife in Maine. If he’s not working, you can find him hiking, boating, or working on home renovation projects. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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.

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 reimagining libraries and aging facilities to balancing online education with the enduring value of physical campuses, Martin makes the case that authentic, mission-driven design helps colleges create places where students truly feel they belong. Guest Name: Martin Kimmel - President & Co-Founder of Kimmel Architecture Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Martin Kimmel has more than 30 years of architectural design, land planning, historic preservation/restoration and project management experience. His work spans a variety of building types, including higher education, municipal, ecclesiastical, corporate, healthcare, geriatric care, retail, industrial and residential projects, ranging in scale up to $150 million. Martin’s experience has been broadened by almost three years of training in a historic preservation and restoration firm in Philadelphia. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 for building durable systems that empower faculty, strengthen student outcomes, and ensure institutions remain adaptable while staying true to their core mission. Guest Name: Dr. Brooke Elliott - Dean of Gies College of Business at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Dr. Brooke Elliott is the Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She leads the College in developing a compelling, strategic vision while continuing to build upon its distinctive brand and identity. This includes assessing and expanding Gies Business’ portfolio of on-campus and online programs to strengthen its position as an innovative leader among the nation’s best business schools. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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.

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 threat, Ian makes the case for embracing thoughtful change as the best way to strengthen higher education's public mission for the future. Guest Name: Ian Gibson, J.D. - Dean of SDSU Global Campus Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Ian Gibson serves as Dean of SDSU Global Campus at San Diego State University, where he leads a $40M+ self-support academic enterprise focused on access, academic quality, workforce alignment, global engagement, and institutional sustainability. Global Campus serves more than 10,000 learners annually across online, hybrid, off-campus, professional, continuing, and international education. He also led the launch of SDSU Online, a major expansion of the university’s online identity and infrastructure designed to make SDSU degrees and programs more visible, accessible, and navigable for learners beyond the traditional campus model. Gibson’s work focuses on helping public higher education adapt to changing learner needs without compromising rigor or mission. At SDSU, his portfolio includes revenue diversification, digital credentialing, AI literacy, workforce-aligned learning, international education, and partnerships that expand the university’s reach and public value. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 also examines how institutional leaders can navigate uncertainty by making disciplined, mission-driven decisions, investing in areas of genuine strength, and resisting the temptation to pursue every new opportunity. Ultimately, Ian provides a compelling reminder that sustainable innovation comes not from becoming everything to everyone, but from becoming the best version of who you already are. Guest Name: Dr. Daniel Allen, President, La Salle University Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D., is the 30th President of La Salle University. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in Catholic higher education, Dr. Allen is leading La Salle’s strategy focused on enrollment growth, student retention and enhancing the student experience. Prior to joining La Salle, Dr. Allen served as senior vice president for advancement and external relations at DePaul University and held leadership roles at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, Lewis University and Loras College. He earned his Ph.D. in education from Loyola University Chicago and continues to pursue his interest in postsecondary educational access for low-income students. He also serves on the board of the International Association of Lasallian Universities, a global network of 64 universities. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 Chihane, General Manager for TOEFL at ETS Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: As the General Manager of TOEFL, Omar Chihane drives the strategic direction and growth of the TOEFL iBT, using his global experience as a tech entrepreneur and executive to lead teams across various functional areas of the business. Prior to joining ETS in 2024, Omar founded englease – an English teaching startup that serves the Middle East and Africa through synchronous online classes. Before his startup journey, Omar held various leadership roles with multinational corporations including Siemens, Nokia and Microsoft. Omar holds an MBA from the London Business School and is a venture partner with Antler, where he coaches and mentors up and coming tech startups. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Dr. Leslie Gale is the Vice President of Customer Success & Account Management at CampusESP, a parent engagement platform that serves hundreds of institutions. She has proudly been a part of the team for the past 8 years, growing her responsibilities progressively over that time. She has 10+ years of experience in higher education and holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 education leaders to move beyond incremental change, embrace bold innovation, and redesign institutions around what matters most: helping students graduate with the skills, experiences, and opportunities they need to succeed. Guest Name: Dr. Nick Ladany - President of San Francisco Bay University Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Nick Ladany, Ph.D., currently serves as the President of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU). In the spirit of the Silicon Valley, SFBU is acting like a startup and challenger brand in higher education, with the purpose of disrupting higher education and developing a university that is accessible and affordable, with a deep commitment to serving the common good. SFBU’s unique and innovative approach to higher education capitalizes on six pillars of the student experience: praxis academics, life literacy, comprehensive wellness, multiple meaningful relationships, lifelong careers readiness, and financial support, all of which is aimed at meaningful and successful student outcomes.  Previously Dr. Ladany was President of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he led the university through the pandemic, facilitated record enrollments, enhanced fiscal stewardship, built a leadership team, strengthened a commitment to DEI, and enhanced student success and wellness.  Dr. Ladany received his Ph.D. from the University at Albany, State University of New York, in 1992 and his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 search, and why there's no single formula for succeeding in this new landscape. Guest Name: Laura Beth Telep, Senior Vice President & Education Practice Lead, CLYDE Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Laura Beth Telep is Senior Vice President and Education Practice Lead at CLYDE, where she advises higher education institutions, EdTech companies, and workforce organizations on strategic communications, enrollment marketing, and thought leadership. She helps education leaders navigate changing student behaviors, emerging technologies, and evolving communications trends. Her work focuses on integrating media relations, content strategy, SEO, and AI-driven visibility to support engagement, reputation, and enrollment growth. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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 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 the balance between automation and authentic human connection, making the case that the future of higher education marketing isn't just about attracting students—it's about helping them thrive, persist, and graduate. Check out additional resources from her conference session here! Guest Name: Toni Marie Perilli - Communications & Marketing Specialist at Fordham University Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Toni Marie Perilli is a New York-based storyteller and strategist dedicated to making brands more human, more accessible, and more meaningfully connected to the people they serve. With six years of integrated communications experience spanning higher education, lifestyle, and brand partnerships, she blends brand storytelling and creative strategy to craft narratives that resonate long after the first impression. Toni Marie currently leads strategic communications and marketing at Fordham University’s Career Center for Cura Personalis. She was recently recognized as a 2025 American Marketing Association Emerging Marketer in Higher Ed Finalist, invited to Ad Age's inaugural NextGen cohort, and featured by the American Theatre Wing as a copywriter in "The Art of the Show Master Class." Toni Marie is a proud Gator pursuing a Master's in Mass Communication from the University of Florida. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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.

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 revise their work, shifting the focus from AI detection to understanding the learning process itself. Guest Name: Jenny Maxwell, GM/SVP, Superhuman for Education Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Jenny Maxwell 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 Superhuman, Jenny led the higher education team at Pearson, the world’s largest education content provider. - - - - Connect With Our Host: Dustin Ramsdell https://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.