What if the biggest variable in your cell culture experiment isn't what your cells are doing, but what they’re sensing? In this eye-opening episode of Cooperatively Speaking , host Allison Lambert sits down with Dr. Krista Rantanen of Baker to explore a commonly overlooked, but critical, factor in biomedical research: oxygen. They discuss how most human tissues operate at much lower oxygen levels than what’s used in traditional lab settings, and why that matters. From cancer research to stem cel...
Jul 26, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 25
In the final episode of our three-part “Unlocking AI in Education” series, host Matt Levine reconnects with Microsoft’s Carlos Fernandez to explore how Copilot is transforming everyday productivity. From drafting emails in Outlook to analyzing data in Excel, Carlos walks us through the practical ways Copilot integrates with Microsoft 365 to make faculty and staff more efficient. Hear tips, real-world examples, and onboarding insights that help ease the learning curve and accelerate adoption. Plu...
Jul 24, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 24
In Part 2 of our “Unlocking AI in Education” series, host Matt Levine and Microsoft’s Carlos Fernandez explore the next frontier in AI-enabled transformation: Copilot Agents. Unlike traditional chatbots, these intelligent agents are designed to automate complex, repetitive processes—freeing up time for both students and faculty. Carlos discusses real-world applications, from streamlining course registration to enhancing student services, and shares how even non-technical users can build and cust...
Jul 24, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 23
In the first episode of our three-part series on Microsoft Copilot, host Matt Levine sits down with Carlos Fernandez, Director Specialist at Microsoft, to explore Copilot Chat - a transformative AI tool reshaping how students and educators engage with content. Carlos shares real-world examples of how institutions are using Copilot to boost student outcomes and enhance teaching strategies. From simplifying research to streamlining faculty workflows, Copilot Chat is making a measurable impact. Tun...
Jul 24, 2025•22 min•Season 5Ep. 22
What does it take to build a resilient cybersecurity strategy in higher education - especially with limited resources and rising threats? Tobey Coffman, Chief Information Security Officer at Ball State University, and Ron Pelletier, founder of Pondurance, share how their partnership grew from a single pen test into a fully managed, 24/7 detection and response program. Together, they break down the real-world challenges campuses face, the tipping point that led Ball State to invest in around-the-...
Jul 16, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 21
In this episode, Dennis Hyde sits down with legal counsel from the Higher Education Practice Group at Church Church Hittle + Antrim (CCHA) to discuss the legal landscape surrounding federal regulations aimed at preventing sex-based discrimination on college campuses. A key focus of the discussion is the growing impact of pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions in higher education settings. In this podcast, the two Partners at CCHA discuss laws and regulations that apply to pregnancy on campus...
Jun 24, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 20
AI is transforming higher education, but at what cost to student privacy? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , Matt Levine speaks with Chris Uthe, Chief Product Officer at BlackBeltHelp, about how colleges and universities can harness the power of artificial intelligence without compromising the trust at the heart of the student experience. With campuses storing vast amounts of sensitive data, the conversation dives into how institutions can use AI to enhance student support while staying...
Jun 10, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 19
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services Guest: Adrienne Meador Murray, VP for Equity, Compliance, and Civil Rights Services at D. Stafford & Associates This podcast explores the sweeping changes in Title IX and Title VI enforcement under the new Trump administration, and what those changes mean for higher ed institutions across the country. From landmark Supreme Court decisions to evolving campus policies, we connect the legal history to the real-t...
Jun 05, 2025•22 min•Season 5Ep. 18
E&I Host: David Manz, Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities Guests: Michelle Vincent, National Color & Design Manager, The Pittsburgh Paints Company In this episode, David Manz welcomes Michelle Vincent, a National Color and Design Manager with the Pittsburgh Paints Company, to discuss how color impacts learning in schools and on campus. Color psychology, color theory, primary colors, foundational colors - and how they pertain to creating environments in the education sector, are cov...
May 07, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 17
E&I Host: Sue Peters, E&I Vice President K-12 Engagement Guests: Rick Gay, Executive Director of Business Services, Fort Bend ISD and Emily Rosenberg, PaymentWorks Regional Director Payment fraud is an increasing threat to school district budgets—but it doesn’t have to be. In our latest episode of Cooperatively Speaking , we’re joined by Emily Rosenberg of PaymentWorks and Rick Gay of Fort Bend ISD to discuss how districts can proactively protect themselves through smarter vendor onboard...
May 02, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 16
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Jeff Hunt, Partner at Legend Labs In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , E&I’s Dennis Hyde is joined by Jeff Hunt, founder of Legend Labs and author of Brand Under Fire: A New Playbook for Crisis Management in the Digital Age . Legend Labs specializes in branding and campus crisis assessments and management. Jeff discusses how, in today's digital era, local incidents can rapidly escalate into global news. He outlines e...
Apr 07, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 15
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Erol Bal, HP Sales Navigator at B&H In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , E&I’s Dennis Hyde is joined by Erol Bal from B&H. B&H sells tens of thousands of computers and laptops to students and schools annually. Erol answers questions about the new Windows 11 upgrade, and points out that Windows 10 will still be operational, but students and faculty will lose important software updates that protect them fro...
Apr 07, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 14
E&I Host: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Casey Laurienzo, E&I Vice President of Community Engagement & Education For over 90 years, E&I has championed the power of its membership, ensuring institutions have the resources they need to succeed. As the only member-owned sourcing cooperative dedicated to education, we’re deepening our investment in the field by expanding learning opportunities for members nationwide. In this episode, Matt Levine, E&I Categ...
Mar 27, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 12
E&I Host: Eric Frank, E&I CEO Guest: Greg Shabram, Chief Procurement Officer, University of Oregon With financial pressures mounting on educational institutions, how can procurement teams navigate today’s challenges? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , Eric Frank, CEO of E&I, is joined by Greg Shabram, Chief Procurement Officer at the University of Oregon, to explore the trends driving uncertainty in the sector. They discuss how cooperative procurement can be a flexible tool ...
Mar 27, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 13
E&I Host: Allison Lambert, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Becca Finnegan, DialCare Sales Manager As schools face ongoing challenges around student mental health, Becca Finnegan from DialCare offers a vital solution. DialCare’s telemedicine platform provides unlimited therapy sessions with experienced therapists, available seven days a week. Becca highlights the funding challenges and troubling counselor-to-student ratios schools are grappling with, and discusses DialCare’s free gr...
Mar 26, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 11
E&I Host: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Ben Kennedy, Kennedy & Company Managing Partner Explore the looming challenges in higher education as Ben Kennedy from Kennedy and Company joins E&I's Matt Levine to discuss proposed federal funding cuts. Hear from Ben as he outlines critical issues such as Pell Grant funding, the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and the impact on university enrollment strategies. Kennedy offers actiona...
Mar 20, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 9
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guests: Jill Dawson, Director, Collegiate Travel Solutions, Anthony Travel Crystal Timmerman, Director, University Travel, Anthony Travel Learn how Anthony Travel helps educational institutions navigate duty of care in academic travel. In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , Jill Dawson and Crystal Timmerman from Anthony Travel share their expertise on the evolving role of Travel Management Companies (TMCs), advancements in travel...
Mar 17, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 8
E&I Host: Allison Lambert, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Teresa Pugliese, VP of Sales, Geri-Care Discover how Geri-Care Pharmaceuticals equips institutions with essential over-the-counter (OTC) products to address student health needs year-round. In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , Teresa Pugliese, Vice President of Sales at Geri-Care, discusses their extensive product line—including pain relievers, allergy medications, and digestive aids—tailored for campus health center...
Mar 17, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 10
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guests Chris Giles, Pitney Bowes VP of Enterprise Sales Campus mail centers are busier than ever, with package volumes increasing year after year. How can schools keep up? Dennis Hyde sits down with Chris Giles, VP of Enterprise Sales at Pitney Bowes, to explore how technology is transforming campus mail operations. From improving efficiency to ensuring security and accountability, they’ll cover the key strategies that help schools st...
Mar 06, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 7
E&I Host: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Alonzo Martinez, Associate General Counsel, HireRight What happens when hiring goes wrong? Matt Levine from E&I and Alonzo Martinez from HireRight break down two real-life cases where skipping critical background checks led to major PR disasters for educational institutions. From overlooked criminal records to ignored warning signs, they’ll reveal the costly consequences of cutting corners in the hiring process—and share ex...
Mar 06, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 6
E&I Host: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Ken Anderson, AArete Manager for Higher Education; Tyler Higgins AArete Managing Director AI is revolutionizing higher education—but where does the hype end and real impact begin? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , Matt Levine sits down with AI experts Ken Anderson and Tyler Higgins from AArete to explore the good, the bad, and the future of AI in academia. From generative AI to campus-wide automation, they break down ...
Mar 04, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 5
E&I Host: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Corey Lee, Security CTO for Microsoft Education Discover how predictive analytics and AI empower educational institutions to anticipate cyber threats, assess vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. Join Matt Levine and Microsoft's Corey Lee as they explore strategies for proactive security, balancing automation with human oversight, and the critical role of AI in safeguarding sensitive research. Learn ...
Feb 27, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 4
E&I Host: David Manz, Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors Guest: Don Bryant, Cybersecurity Architect for the Public Sector, Cisco Join Cisco cybersecurity expert Don Bryant and E&I host David Manz as they navigate the high-stakes world of higher ed cybersecurity. They explore the evolving cybersecurity landscape in higher education, offering practical strategies to combat data breaches, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Don provides expert advice on security framewo...
Feb 27, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 3
E&I Host: Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager Guests: Bruce Hoeker, Executive Director, Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges; Joe Castelluccio, Director of Business Development at E&I Partnerships are crucial in any space, especially in higher education. With declining resources and increasing expectations, the power of partnerships has never been more important. In January 2024, E&I and ABACC partnered to provide higher education finance and business prof...
Jan 27, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 2
E&I Host: Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Guest: Molly O'Brien, Senior Sales Executive, Supplier.io How can technology unlock the full potential of supplier diversity programs? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking , Titus Martin dives into this question with Molly O’Brien, Senior Account Executive at Supplier.io. Together, they explore how accurate data serves as the backbone of successful initiatives, empowering organizations to uncover diverse suppliers, monitor t...
Jan 13, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 1
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guests: Lily Hammer, Senior Strategic Account Manager: Public Sector Group Purchasing, Enterprise Mobility Ryan Benhoff, Strategic Sales Director: Public Sector Strategic Partnerships, Enterprise Mobility Join Dennis Hyde, as he speaks with Enterprise Mobility about transportation and traffic on campus. This podcast explores parking, staff commuting, and electric vehicle initiatives, all issues your institution may be planning for. In...
Dec 23, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 22
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Andrew Silbiger, CEO and Co-Founder of America To Go In this latest Cooperatively Speaking podcast, Dennis Hyde connects with Andrew Silbiger, CEO and co-founder of America To Go. America To Go connects members to a broad network of approved caterers and restaurants on a single customized platform. This allows your institution to conveniently create catering orders supported by 24/7 customer service. From search to payment, Ame...
Dec 17, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 23
E&I Host: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guests: Dr. Todd Simo, Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director of Transportation, HireRight Alonzo Martinez, Associate General Counsel, HireRight E&I’s Matt Levine sat down with HireRight’s Dr. Todd Simo, Chief Medical Officer and Managing Director of Transportation, and Alonzo Martinez, Associate General Counsel, to talk all things THC legalization and the hiring process. In this candid conversation, Dr. Simo and Alonzo speak...
Dec 06, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 21
E&I Host: Allison Lambert, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guest: Dr. Srikant Devaraj, Syra Health Discover innovative ways to enhance student mental health with our latest podcast featuring Dr. Srikant Devaraj from Syra Health. Learn actionable, evidence-based strategies to provide effective and accessible mental health resources, especially during high-stress periods like the holidays. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the transformative role of technology and public health innova...
Nov 27, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 19
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager Guests: Dr. Jennie Wong, Global Industry Director for Education at Slalom Discover best practices for transitioning researchers to secure cloud environments in the latest Cooperatively Speaking podcast. Dr. Jennie Wong, Global Industry Director for Education at Slalom, shares insights from Slalom's whitepaper, co-authored with AWS, on designing and promoting Secure Research Environments (SREs). Learn how strategic principles like "spe...
Nov 21, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 20
