The TechEd Podcast

Ed Magee has a fascinating career history - from the Marine Corps to decades of operations leadership at Harley-Davidson and Fender - and now he's instilling his lessons learned in a new role as Vice President for Strategic Operations at Belmont University.The truth is, university education in America is facing a crossroads: either innovate and adapt, or fade away. The workplace is changing rapidly, the market for education is changing, and what students want out of their college experience has changed. If universities don't recognize these changes and pivot, they won't be around for long.Fortunately, Ed's experience in operations leadership positions him to bring this entrepreneurial mindset to Belmont. And in this episode, we're digging into what those lessons from manufacturing are, and what higher education should be doing to adapt to the market.Inside this episode:Why systems are just as important as ambitious goalsHow to view university education through a product development lensThe value of "and, not or"How to get others on board with your big ideas3 Big Takeaways from this episode:Universities need to adopt a "startup" mindset: Higher education is facing huge changes in the market. To remain relevant universities have to pivot their educational offering to content and modes that students today want. That means adopting a startup mindset: making ambitious goals, quickly adapting to market trends, creating an innovative product that the market wants, and delivering it in a way that's meaningful and useful to students.Manufacturing operations lend themselves well to university education: From Kaizen and continuous improvement, to lean thinking, to systems and processes, the tools of manufacturing can help university leaders run a streamlined organization. By implementing these tools, universities can pivot faster, redesign an educational experience students today are looking for, and achieve bigger goals than ever before.To drive organizational change, effective leaders put people first: In any organization with big goals and initiatives, change management is all about getting people on board. While it's great for leaders to embrace and inspire toward change, what's really needed is for everyone in the organization to internalize and own the effort. That happens through listening, meeting people where they're at, investing in people, and remembering that there are more similarities than differences among us.ResourcesTo learn more about Belmont University, visit: www.belmont.eduConnect with Belmont:Facebook  |  Twitter  |  YouTube |  LinkedIn  |  InstagramEpisode page: https://techedpodcast.com/belmont/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Dr. Rich Barnhouse is an education innovator. With experience leading higher education all over the U.S., he understands how to disrupt traditional models, create sustainable change, and embrace cutting-edge technologies that will empower students to be productive in the workforce.We sat down with Rich to talk about some of his strategic initiatives as President of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) - including how to harness the power artificial intelligence in education.This episode is full of insights into the transformative potential of AI in the classroom, in the administrative office and in the workforce.Inside this episode:Education's innovation problem - and how to avoid crises of changeThe biggest technology transformation humankind has ever seenTwo huge AI gaps in the workforce - and how education can fix itWhy companies need associates and baccalaureates with functional AI experienceHow to harness AI to improve the teacher and student experienceThe emerging specialty field in automation that offers huge opportunities for students3 Big Takeaways from this episode:Automatic organic evolution: Because change can be hard to implement in higher education, the tendency is to stand still. This mindset has left higher ed in a crisis of change today. Instead, Rich has instilled a culture of automatic organic evolution at WCTC. It's part of the DNA of the college to consistently innovate how and what is taught - and that enables the college to move alongside industry.Companies are facing AI gaps in two key places: There is a middle level in business where data scientists and masters degreed engineers are developing and deploying AI. Above and below this level there are huge gaps in AI understanding and implementation. Education needs fill these gaps: first, bringing AI education to executives and managers to help them understand how to leverage the technology for business cases, and second, to bring AI experience to people on the shop floor who can become functional and operational experts. AI is transforming higher education not just in the classroom, but at its operational core: With the right AI tools, instructors can automate administrative and operational tasks so they have more bandwidth to focus on students and teaching. In the same way, the administrative side of higher ed can leverage data to improve the student experience, which will attract a greater number of enrollees in future years.ResourcesTo learn more about Waukesha County Technical College, visit: www.wctc.eduConnect with WCTC:Facebook  |  Twitter  |  YouTube |  LinkedInEpisode page:  https://techedpodcast.com/barnhouseWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Sports medicine meets data science in this fascinating episode of The TechEd Podcast!Dr. Matt Provencher is a sports medicine analyst and the founder of Proven Performance Technology. You've probably seen his Injury Analysis on FOX Sports, where he uses cutting-edge data science to analyze NFL injuries and predict how those will impact the rest of the game.With a storied background with the U.S. Navy SEALs, New England Patriots and other professional sports organizations, and now with his team of "Predictors" at Proven Performance Technology, Dr. Provencher has taken our understanding of elite athletic performance to a whole new level.Inside this episode:How an electrical engineering major turned into a data-driven career in sports medicineDeveloping the Special Forces Tactical Athlete Program (TAP) for the Navy SEALsSpeaking the language of coaching - and how to leverage this tactic in your own careerApplying data science to sports medicine with the Patriots and across the NFLHow injury data impacts the world of sports - from equipment, to rules, to fantasy leagues and betting, to choosing which players to draft and tradeHow data science in sports can be translated to manufacturing and industrial sectorsResourcesTo learn more about Dr. Provencher's work, visit: https://www.thepredictors.com/Connect with Dr. Provencher and The Predictors:Twitter  |  Instagram  |  LinkedIn  |  TikTokEpisode page: https://techedpodcast.com/provencher/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Clemson University recently launched the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, a program with undergraduates and graduate students and faculty dedicated to innovating the latest in automotive technology and design.We sat down with the school's Founding Director, Dr. Zoran Filipi, to understand the structure of this school, what students are learning, and the fascinating ways Clemson is partnering with automotive OEMs on cutting-edge research and development.Dr. Filipi is truly an expert and out-of-the-box thinker, and every automotive and engineering program will find great value in the strategies Clemson has deployed.Inside this episode:The strategy behind combining mechanical and automotive engineering programs - and how students & employers benefitThe incredible value of putting grad students through a full product cyclePartnering with automotive OEMs on product developmentAutonomous cars and EVs - the state of the marketAdvice to automotive programs about how to innovate and evolve3 Big Takeaways from this episode:The new school combines the strengths of both programs: Mechanical + Automotive engineering in one school enables students to apply the knowledge they're learning in mechanical engineering and put it to work in automotive applications. Students (both undergraduate and graduate) will be prepared for the rapidly evolving automotive industry, including the shift towards electric vehicles.Deep Orange puts students through a two-year complete product development process: From market study to product design, ideation and prototyping, graduate students build full prototypes of futuristic vehicles - both EV and ICE. Better yet, these projects are done in partnership with automotive OEMs, helping to bring new technologies and designs to market.Autonomous vehicles are on the way, but expect electrification to come first: Autonomous vehicle technology has made great progress, but we're still far away from seeing fully autonomous cars on our everyday commute. However, electrification is at full-scale production levels, including incentives to bring the manufacturing of EVs, batteries and charging stations here in the U.S.ResourcesTo learn more about Clemson's new school, visit: https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-university-forms-new-school-as-globe-switches-to-electric-vehicles/Connect with Clemson University Automotive Engineering:Instagram  |  LinkedIn  |  FacebookEpisode page: https://techedpodcast.com/clemson/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Networking: you either love it or you hate it. But is it really a necessary skill?Joe Sweeney thinks so. In fact, he's built a career around coaching others on the power of networking. Through his insights, entrepreneurs have built successful businesses, individuals have achieved their career goals, and professional athletes have multiplied their reach.We sat down with the New York Times best-selling author, executive coach and speaker to understand networking - what it is, what it isn't, and how educators, students and employers can build their networks and achieve their goals.In this episode:Why so many people hate networking - and the one perspective shift that will change your mindThe four-step process to building relationshipsHow to make asking fun (and how this technique got Bob Costas to come to Milwaukee)What educators should say when asking employers to support their programWhat students need to know before they start networkingAnd much more! Don't forget to check out the resources at the bottom of this page for more from Joe Sweeney.3 Big Takeaways from this episode:The #1 success tool in business? Relationships. Forget what you know about networking (the pressure to give away all your business cards or collect as many as possible...). Joe shares a single perspective shift around what networking truly is. Once you understand the purpose of networking, you'll build stronger, more valuable connections that will bring you success in life and work.The four-step process to networking: You'll have to listen to the episode to hear the four steps, but remember this: the process is simple, but it's not easy. There will certainly be roadblocks and challenges in the way, but Joe shares some examples on how to work through them using the four steps.Educators, ask yourself: what's in it for the employer? When building vital education-industry partnerships, often each party is primarily concerned with their own needs. Instead, approach the partnership by seeking to understand what the other will get out of it. Educators - if you need support from employers, make it clear what they will get in return.ResourcesMore about the Bob Costas and Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame story: https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/1995sportshallTo learn more about Joe Sweeney, visit his website: https://joesweeney.com/Networking Is a Contact Sport (Amazon)Moving the Needle (Amazon)After Further Review (Amazon)A Light Shines Through Us (Amazon)Connect with Joe Sweeney on social media:Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  FacebookWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Energy Institute exists to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean.We sat down with Christopher Guith to get a sense for the global energy landscape - what do business owners need to know about energy policy, and how can education respond to emerging trends and technologies in the energy sector?In this episode:How aspirational policy can hurt more than helpWhy the U.S. needs a diverse energy portfolioMisconceptions around nuclear technology, and what you should know insteadHow national security and national energy are intertwinedEmerging breakthroughs in alternative energy solutions3 Big Takeaways from this episode:The U.S. needs a common sense energy strategy: Global initiatives to for a clean energy future are important, but all too often, aspirational policy gets too far ahead of what technology is able to handle. Christopher calls out these challenges and defines the need for a diverse energy portfolio, especially in the United States. Businesses looking to a more clean energy strategy will benefit from these insights.National energy policy and national security are intertwined: In recent decades, the United States has too-heavily relied on countries like China for energy. We discuss why it's so important to national security that the U.S. develops the capacity to mine and process minerals for next-gen technology, like EV cars and to produce more of our energy domestically.The energy sector is innovating rapidly, but there's still a long way to go: Did you know we're only 50% of the way to having the technology to power a carbon-neutral world? Advancements are being made in areas like hydrogen power and nuclear fusion, technology prices are going down, but there are still numerous challenges to solving the clean energy problem. We dive into some of these challenges and innovations, and what they mean for businesses and consumers alike.ResourcesTo learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Energy Institute, visit their website: https://www.globalenergyinstitute.org/Connect with Jason Goldsmith on social media:Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  Facebook  |  YouTubeEpisode page: https://techedpodcast.com/guith/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

How can you achieve peak performance in the classroom, workplace, and in life? Jason Goldsmith is a performance coach who has helped professional athletes and business leaders become masters in their field. In this episode, he shares some of the top mental performance truths, tools and techniques anyone can use to achieve their goals.Whatever your "sport" is - golf, law, engineering - Jason's advice will help you move beyond mental barriers and get to a place where you can "just play".In this episode:What is mastery, and how can you achieve it?How to get out of the rut of problem-identificationWhy awareness is so important to masteryWhy mindfulness & meditation can keep you focused on your goalsThe power of visualization to achieve peak performanceHow to best coach yourself & others3 Big Takeaways from this episode:Mastery is an aspirational journey: Mastery is more about the journey than the destination, because the destination is out of our control. True mastery requires drive, grit and perseverance. Once you set out on the path, you stay on the path. A good coach will help an individual identify what their aspirational goals are and then set the course toward that goal, always focusing on what can be controlled and not getting hung up on what can't be controlled.Listen to the story you are telling yourself: Peak performance starts with the right mindset. Self-limiting beliefs are one of the biggest inhibitors to peak performance. So be aware of your thoughts and the narrative you've crafted about your abilities: is it true? Is it useful? Do you need to modify it?Get out of the mindset of problem identification. A problem identification mindset is always focused on the problem - often causing one to stress about future events or dwell on past failures. Instead, be aware in the present and identify the positives in your situation.ResourcesTake Charge of You book on Amazon:What if the most powerful coach that could help you reach your own potential was actually...yourself? Harness the power of self-coaching to fast-track success and transform your life and career with this powerful guide from acclaimed CEO David Novak and renowned sports coach Jason Goldsmith.To learn more about Jason and Goldsmith Performance visit his website: https://goldsmithperformance.com/Connect with Jason Goldsmith on social media:Twitter  |  LinkedInEpisode page: https://techedpodcast.com/goldsmith/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Engineering programs today are growing and adapting to the digital transformation that's taking place in the workforce.Michigan State University is a prime example of a school that has listened to its regional employers, tracked technological advances, and is adapting its engineering programs to prepare students for the digital workforce.In this episode, we talk with Dr. Leo Kempel, Dean of MSU's College of Engineering. Big projects are underway at MSU, including the development of the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center and a new Engineering Technology degree.Leo shares incredible insights into how the work of engineers is shifting as digital transformation takes over the workforce - and how education should respond.3 Big Takeaways from this episode:Digital engineering means faster innovation: Digital twins, augmented reality and a digital thread through the design and manufacturing process enables today's engineers to be more creative, more involved and have a tighter design cycle. That means engineers can design, test and deploy new systems faster than ever before, processes can be improved more efficiently, and mass customization at a desirable price-point is now possible.Modern engineering is cross-disciplinary & global: To make industry 4.0 a reality, you need to involve experts from every aspect of the business - design, engineering, production, supply chain, business, marketing, IT and more. The new Engineering and Digital Innovation Center will replicate this kind of cross-disciplinary work. Students from different programs, like engineering, cybersecurity, natural science, business, supply chain management, user experience and arts and computer science, will work on projects together. This experience will give MSU students a huge advantage as they enter a digital, global, and collaborative workforce.Semiconductors are essential to the success of the digital industrial workforce: To power a world driven by smart technology, we need semiconductors and chips. There's been a massive shift of semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, and MSU is taking part in both the research around semiconductor technology and the training of engineers who will work in the semiconductor industry.ResourcesBook mentioned in this episode: Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical TechnologyTo learn more about Michigan State University's College of Engineering, visit their website: https://www.egr.msu.edu/News:New MSU center to invest in innovation and industryDean Kempel on: Building the Industry 4.0 WorkforceConnect with MSU Engineering:Twitter  |  YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  LinkedInEpisode page: We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

In Part 1, we talked with Rocky Collis about his team's groundbreaking app, Mustard, which leverages computer vision and AI to give all kids access to elite-level coaching and custom practice plans. What if we took a step back and looked at the bigger implications this tech has for kids in all sports? And how can this same technology be deployed in a business setting?That's what we discuss in Part 2, where we dive into:Other sports Mustard is moving into (and the professional athletes who are backing the project)How AI can improve all human athletic mechanics and help even non-athletes live a better lifeHow Mustard is providing mindset coaching courses from the world's top performers (Clayton Kershaw, Drew Brees and others)Why athletes make great entrepreneurs and workersThe value of competitiveness in the workplaceEpisode page: https://techedpodcast.com/mustard2/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

What if we could leverage computer vision and AI to give all kids access to the world's best coaching - the same that trained legends like Tom Brady and Nolan Ryan?That's what Rocky Collis, Dr. Tom House and team have done with their innovative app, Mustard. Mustard was designed with the goal of democratizing elite coaching - giving all kids access to customized input on their athletic mechanics so they can remain competitive and play sports longer. In this episode, we're talking with Mustard CEO Rocky Collis about the app's technology, the science of pitching, player mechanics, and how AI can create customized analysis and coaching plans for any individual.Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/mustard/We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn