Why is coordinating family dinner surprisingly similar to managing complex university processes? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ricardo Rengifo, President and CEO of DBS Software and Services, a pioneer in digitizing campus operations. Ricardo pulls back the curtain on the "document chaos" that plagues so many institutions—the siloed systems, fillable PDFs, and endless email chains—and reveals the path to a streamlined, paperless future. They discuss how smart...
Nov 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 60
What does training for one of the world's hardest Ironman races have in common with leading AI transformation in business education? Host Jeff Dillon sits down with Matt Seitz, Director of the AI Hub for Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A veteran of Google, Abbott, and McDonald's, Matt brings 30 years of tech leadership to his mission of preparing students for an AI-driven world. He draws powerful parallels between overcoming the fear of the triathlon swim and the misconceptions ...
Oct 31, 2025•31 min•Ep. 59
How can universities overcome their unique challenges to create amazing digital experiences in an AI-driven world? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Nick Cawthon, a seasoned UX strategist with over two decades of experience working with giants like Adobe and Visa, and a professor at the California College of the Arts. Nick pulls from his rich background in the first dot-com boom to draw powerful parallels between then and now, arguing that we are in a similar era...
Oct 24, 2025•33 min•Ep. 58
What does it take to create digital learning that is truly for everyone ? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dipesh Jain, Vice President of Revenue at Magic EdTech, a company with a 35-year mission to make learning accessible and transformative. Dipesh shares his unique journey from physical therapist to tech leader and how that background shapes his empathetic, partner-first approach to client relationships. They dive into the critical challenges facing education...
Oct 17, 2025•27 min•Ep. 57
Student interest in studying abroad is at an all-time high, but so are the challenges of cost, safety, and accessibility. In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with David Nelson, Director of Study Abroad at Terra Dotta and a veteran international education leader. David breaks down the findings from Terra Dotta's latest survey, revealing why 76% of students want to study abroad and how their motivations are shifting from personal growth to resume building. They explore th...
Oct 10, 2025•29 min•Ep. 56
How can universities break free from outdated systems and siloed data to create a seamless, modern experience for students and staff? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Joshua Meredith, JD, a Client Relationship Executive at Deloitte Consulting with over 12 years of experience inside higher ed. Joshua brings a unique perspective from his roles at Georgetown and Yeshiva University, and now from the consulting side, where he helps institutions navigate their biggest...
Oct 03, 2025•35 min•Ep. 55
Join host Jeff Dillon for a conversation with Jenny Li Fowler, the Director of Social Media Strategy at MIT. In this episode, Jenny pulls back the curtain on what it's really like to manage the social presence for one of the world's most innovative universities. She discusses her journey from TV journalism to leading MIT's digital strategy, growing their following to over 6 million. Jenny gets real about the lack of a "secret sauce," the surprising misconceptions about her job, and the challenge...
Sep 26, 2025•29 min•Ep. 54
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Melanie Lindahl, Senior UX Designer at UT Austin and winner of the Red Stapler Award for her groundbreaking conference talks on user experience. With a unique background in fine arts and web development, Melanie breaks down how higher ed institutions can implement powerful UX strategies—even on a shoestring budget. From debunking myths about cost and complexity to sharing practical, no-cost tactics like user interviews and “donu...
Sep 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 53
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ethan Braden, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Texas A&M University—and the Content Marketer of the Year—to explore how iconic academic brands cut through the noise in a crowded higher ed landscape. From his days launching billion-dollar pharma brands at Eli Lilly to transforming Purdue into a nationally recognized innovator, Ethan shares how he’s now harnessing tradition, momentum, and mission at Texas A&M ...
Sep 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 52
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jenny Leigh Morris, a technology strategist at Doctums who bridges the worlds of Fortune 100 innovation and higher education modernization. With a background in designing AI education programs for giants like Walmart, L’Oreal, and Microsoft, Jenny brings a unique perspective on how institutions can streamline technology adoption, improve vendor relationships, and accelerate decision-making. From dissecting the pitfalls of RFPs a...
Sep 05, 2025•30 min•Ep. 51
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Emily Chase Coleman, CEO and co-founder of HAI Analytics, to explore how data is reshaping higher education strategy. With over two decades of experience blending social psychology and statistics, Emily shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship and how HAI’s AI-powered platform helps colleges predict enrollment, optimize financial aid, and improve retention—without overwhelming internal resources. From challenging out...
Aug 29, 2025•25 min•Ep. 50
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon talks to Jarrett Smith, Senior VP of Strategy at Echo Delta and co-author of the groundbreaking Designing for Decisions report. Fresh from his eduWeb conference presentation, Jarrett dives into the eye-opening findings from their survey of over 1,000 prospective students, revealing what students actually want from college websites—and where institutions are missing the mark. From the overwhelming demand for cost transparency to the surprising ...
Aug 22, 2025•32 min•Ep. 49
Host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jennifer Beyer, VP of Product at Thesis, to explore the evolving landscape of student information systems (SIS) and the unique challenges faced by small to mid-sized colleges. With over two decades of experience spanning campus administration and EdTech leadership, Jennifer shares her mission to simplify higher education processes through cloud-based solutions. From her beginnings as a first-generation student and campus tour guide to her current role driving prod...
Aug 15, 2025•32 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eric Kim, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Modo Labs, to explore how mobile technology has reshaped higher ed—and where it’s headed next. From Modo’s origins at MIT (inspired by Kabuki stagehands!) to its global impact today, Eric shares how universities can break down silos, leverage AI, and design experiences students actually love. Hear how early adopters like Sacramento State pioneered mobile registration and food in...
Aug 08, 2025•31 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Katie Condon, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University, to unpack the urgent challenges and innovative strategies shaping higher ed’s future. With over a decade of experience spanning West Virginia University and EMU, Katie offers a candid look at how regional publics can compete amid shrinking demographics, financial aid upheavals, and rising student demands for ROI. From her viral 4,000-handwritte...
Aug 01, 2025•30 min•Ep. 46
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eytan Wurman, founder of Common Time Pathways, to explore the untapped potential of music in college admissions. A former music teacher turned entrepreneur, Eytan reveals how his platform is bridging the gap between student musicians and $5 billion in overlooked scholarships—more than athletic scholarships combined. From debunking myths about music careers (“You don’t have to be Yo-Yo Ma to succeed”) to leveraging AI for music e...
Jul 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 45
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Chase Williams, CEO and co-founder of Pathify, to explore how modern digital engagement platforms are transforming the fragmented student experience. Born out of Chase’s own frustrations as a student at Monash University, Pathify has grown into a global solution serving nearly 250 institutions by consolidating communication, tasks, and resources into a single, intuitive hub. Chase shares how Pathify’s middleware integration laye...
Jul 18, 2025•25 min•Ep. 44
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Cabrini Pak—professor, interdisciplinary scholar, and systems thinker—to explore how cutting-edge concepts like stigmergy (a cybernetic coordination mechanism) and AI can transform higher education. With degrees in biology, theology, business, and cultural studies, Dr. Pak bridges gaps between disciplines, offering fresh insights into everything from classroom innovation to institutional efficiency. Discover how she’s testin...
Jul 11, 2025•30 min•Ep. 43
In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ashley Budd, Director of Digital Marketing at Cornell University, to explore the evolving landscape of university marketing and alumni engagement. With over a decade of experience at Cornell, Ashley shares insights into how digital innovation has transformed alumni outreach, the surprising power of email in fundraising, and the delicate balance between personalization and relevance. From her new book Mailed It to Cornell’s bold ...
Jul 04, 2025•29 min•Ep. 42
In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Sana Remekie, CEO of Conscia and a pioneer in composable digital experiences, to explore how universities can break free from legacy systems and embrace AI-driven agility. From her roots in enterprise search architecture to building Conscia’s "DXGraph" for unified data, Sana reveals why higher ed must adopt omni-channel strategies—or risk becoming invisible to AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT. Discover how digital experience...
Jun 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 41
In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon chats with Corey Reed, Director of Web Management at TCU, about bridging the gap between marketing and IT in higher ed’s digital landscape. From his early days designing Flash websites (RIP) to leading TCU’s search optimization and accessibility efforts, Corey shares how his hospitality tech background translates to campus—and why AI-powered analytics are revolutionizing content strategy. Discover how TCU tackles "content sprawl," balances inn...
Jun 20, 2025•31 min•Ep. 40
In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Bao Johri, CIO at Fresno State and 2025 Top Women Leader in Technology, to explore how universities can harness AI as a force for equity and transformation. From launching Fresno State’s campus-wide AI initiative (with 60+ faculty collaborators) to mentoring the next generation of IT leaders, Bao shares how her research on Hmong American women informs her approach to inclusive tech leadership. Discover how Fresno State is na...
Jun 13, 2025•26 min•Ep. 39
In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jill Whitaker, Director of Web Services at Southern Utah University, to explore the evolving landscape of higher ed website management. With 25 years of experience, Jill shares candid insights on balancing short-term fixes with long-term strategy (inspired by her half-marathon coaching!), wrangling 100+ content editors, and championing accessibility through empathy-driven tactics. Discover how SUU’s centralized approach keeps th...
Jun 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 38
In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon chats with Jennie Wong, Global Director of Education at Slalom, about how universities can harness AI and data to drive strategic value. Jennie shares her innovative "car metaphor" framework for AI implementation, reveals surprising GenAI use cases, and explains why federated data models are the future for higher ed. From overcoming institutional overwhelm to reimagining student engagement with e-commerce tactics, this conversation is packed wi...
May 30, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Alexander "Sasha" Sidorkin, Chief AI Officer at Sacramento State University, to explore the transformative impact of AI on education. From debunking myths about AI replacing teachers to discussing practical applications in the classroom, Sasha shares his insights as an "AI realist." Tune in to learn how AI is reshaping learning outcomes, the challenges of governance and equity, and why fostering relational learning remains i...
May 23, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Gemma Garcia, Executive Director of Learning Technology at Arizona State University, to explore how ASU is leading the charge in scalable digital learning innovation. With over 130,000 learners worldwide, Gemma shares insights on balancing bold experimentation with practical implementation, fostering faculty adoption of new technologies, and ASU's groundbreaking AI initiatives—including their partnership with OpenAI. Discover ho...
May 16, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Brian Piper, Director of Content Strategy at the University of Rochester and author of Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education, to explore how AI is transforming content creation and audience engagement in higher ed. Brian shares practical insights on building AI-driven personas, repurposing content at scale, and overcoming institutional resistance to AI adoption. Learn how custom GPTs can simulate student perspectives, why "...
May 09, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jennifer Lonchar, founder of AmbioEdu, to explore how streaming TV is revolutionizing higher ed marketing. Jennifer shares her journey from traditional digital marketing to pioneering performance-based TV advertising for colleges and universities. Discover how AmbioEdu ‘s cutting-edge platform targets households with unskippable commercials, tracks enrollment attribution, and supercharges traditional digital campaigns. Jennifer ...
May 02, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Lee Rainie, Director of Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, to explore the transformative impact of AI on higher education. They delve into groundbreaking research on how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and academic integrity, uncovering surprising divides among educators—half of whom see AI as a tool for creativity, while the other half view it as a threat to critical thinking. From redefining cheating to...
Apr 25, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jeff Rubenstein , Chief Product Officer at doowii and a seasoned leader in educational technology with experience at Google, 2U, and Kaltura. They dive into the transformative power of AI-driven data analytics in education, exploring how doowii’s platform turns fragmented student data into actionable insights—without requiring a team of data scientists. Jeff Rubenstein shares his journey from early LMS development to tackling on...
Apr 18, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 31
