The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

In this special bonus episode recorded at the recent Illumia Momentum conference, we spoke with Chris Setcos from Illumia to get his perspective on how institutions are grappling with increasingly complex digital infrastructure and tech stacks as well as strategies for successfully integrating these ecosystems. Guest Name: Chris Setcos - SVP of Partnerships at Illumia Guest Social: LinkedIn  Guest Bio: Chris Setcos is Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Mergers & Acquisitions at Illumia, responsible for strategic alliances, ecosystem development, and partnership models that drive long-term enterprise value. With deep expertise across technology, software, payments, and fintech, Chris builds collaborative teams and trusted partner relationships that align external capabilities with enterprise strategy to unlock innovation and scale. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 and Dr. Aviva Legatt from EdGenerative discuss how higher education must urgently and intentionally integrate AI into learning and strategy. Aviva highlights the risks of unstructured AI use, the need to balance AI skills with critical thinking and domain expertise, and the growing pressure on institutions to align with workforce demands. Ultimately, it’s a call for leaders to take proactive steps—rather than avoid or ban AI—to better prepare students for an AI-driven future. Check out Aviva’s awesome resource for AI Use Cases in Higher Education! Guest Name: Dr. Aviva Legatt - Founder & Principal at EdGenerative Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Dr. Aviva Legatt is a nationally recognized education expert who bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical implementation in educational settings. With deep expertise in organizational dynamics and educational technology, she helps institutions navigate the complex landscape of AI adoption while maintaining their core educational mission and values. Her approach combines rigorous academic research with hands-on consulting experience, enabling educational leaders to make informed decisions about AI integration that serve their students and communities. Through her work with EdGenerative, she empowers institutions to move beyond AI anxiety toward confident, ethical implementation that amplifies human potential rather than replacing it. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 special bonus episode recorded at the recent Illumia Momentum conference, we sat down with Zach Tussing from Ellucian about his perspective on the importance of effective ERP integrations and how institutional IT leaders are navigating many different stages of modernization and digital transformation. Guest Name: Zach Tussing, Lead of Technology Partnerships, Ellucian Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Zach Tussing is the Lead of Technology Partnerships at Ellucian, where he drives strategic alliances that expand the company’s ecosystem and accelerate innovation across higher education. With a focus on identifying and scaling high-impact partnerships, Zach works at the intersection of product, strategy, and go-to-market to deliver integrated solutions that enhance institutional outcomes. He brings a blend of technical expertise and business acumen, enabling him to translate emerging technologies into meaningful value for customers and partners alike. Passionate about collaboration and growth, Zach is committed to building durable partnerships that support Ellucian’s mission to power education and drive student success. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 final episode recorded at SXSW EDU, Dustin chats with George Phillip (“GP”) LeBourdais, a fellow FOHE member and Head of Learning at Edvisor.AI. He details the work his team does enabling faculty members to be more effective and efficient with their efforts. GP also shares his perspective on how AI can have positive impacts on achieving greater equity in the classroom. Guest Name: Dr. George Philip LeBourdais, Head of Learning, Edvisor.AI Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Dr. George Phillip (“GP”) LeBourdais is a trained art historian who believes the best learning happens when humanistic inquiry meets technological innovation. His PhD from Stanford taught him to look carefully, to analyze how people see and make meaning. That slow, interpretive work is key to designing how students interact with AI. Currently, GP serves as Head of Learning (Special Advisor) at Edvisor.ai, leading academic strategy for an AI-powered platform transforming how college students engage with course content. GP embeds evidence-based pedagogy into product development and design multi-institutional efficacy studies. His team’s early data shows the largest gains for at-risk students, - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 special episode recorded live on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin speaks with Ana Homayoun, executive functioning expert, author, and founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting and Luminaria Learning. They catch up on things since her interview last year and explore the power of career exploration for young people to help them find postsecondary success. She also teases her forthcoming book, Getting In Is Not Enough: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades, Test Scores and College Admission. Guest Name: Ana Homayoun, Author, Nonprofit Executive, & Independent Academic Advisor Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Ana Homayoun is a noted author, academic advisor, and early career development strategist. Her work focuses on helping students develop executive functioning skills in today's technology and social media world. Her latest book, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions, underscores the fundamental skills needed for academic success, emotional well-being and long-term workforce development. Ana is the founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting, a Silicon Valley-based academic advising firm that helps students, parents and educators with crucial executive function and life-management skills. She is also the founder and executive director of Luminaria Learning Solutions, a non-profit initiative developing the Life Navigator School Advisory Program, an executive function skills curriculum rooted in social and emotional well-being that aims to prepare students for success in and outside of the classroom. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 special episode recorded live on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin chats with Tanner Jackson from ETS. He explains the ways his team integrates AI and why transparency is increasingly important for edtech companies to foster. Tanner also highlights the recently launched Center for Responsible AI that ETS created as a new resource for higher ed leaders. Guest Name: Dr. Tanner Jackson, Head of AI Products, ETS Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Tanner Jackson is the Head of AI Products at ETS, overseeing the development and deployment of AI capabilities across the global enterprise. His work spans two core areas: integrating AI into product and platform development, and building scalable AI solutions that deliver measurable business and/or educational impact.  With over a decade of experience at ETS-including roles in the Research Institute, Language Learning and Assessment Business, and the Office of the CEO-Tanner's work has consistently focused on helping people achieve their potential. A respected voice on AI, Tanner is a sought-after speaker at top industry forums, including the SHRM Talent Annual Conference, Zoom Educator Summit, and ASU+GSV and has been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education and Education Week as a subject matter expert. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 special episode recorded live on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin chats with Greg Smith from Britebound about their recent rebrand and their expanding work helping young learners explore potential careers and the ways to navigate the postsecondary landscape. He highlights how his team’s work impacts higher ed during a time of increased scrutiny about value and relevance. Guest Name: Greg Smith, Vice President of Marketing, Britebound Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: As Vice President of Marketing at Britebound, Greg Smith is responsible for translating annual business objectives into strategic marketing plans and leading the marketing team to concept, create and execute the digital campaigns that impact millions of students each year. Greg brings over 25 years of corporate strategy, brand development and global marketing experience with a career that has spanned the technology, banking and financial services industries. In prior agency and client roles, Greg partnered with executives at companies such as American Express, EMC and Citizens Commercial Bank to envision how their marketing organizations must evolve to embrace the digital world and to transform their go-to-market strategies as the power shifted from companies to consumers. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 episode recorded live on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin spoke with Ashley Beckner from Lemnis about their unique funding model that sits at the intersection of a variety of diverse stakeholders focused on enabling student success. She also provides context on their recent acquisition of InsideTrack and the vision Lemnis has for the future. Guest Name: Ashley Beckner, Managing Director, Lemnis Collective Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Ashley Beckner is managing director of the Lemnis Collective. She brings experience across impact investing, philanthropy, finance and operations to Lemnis. She has spent over a decade as an investor and operator in the education sector.  Most recently, Ashley co-led the US education investment team at Imaginable Futures, a venture of The Omidyar Group. She led the team’s strategy for driving systemic impact in early childhood leveraging investments in early-stage companies, grants, policy and advocacy, strategic communications, and more. She managed a portfolio of 30+ investments, serving as a strategic advisor to her companies and organizations. Ashley has an MBA from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania and is based in Austin, TX. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 special episode recorded live on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin chats with Angelique Albert, CEO of the Native Forward Scholars Fund. She returns to the show after a handful of years to provide updates on her team’s work, the holistic support they provide Native students, and how they’re navigating this turbulent moment in higher ed. Guest Name: Angelique Albert - CEO at Native Forward Scholars Fund Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Angelique Albert is the CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest provider of direct scholarships to Native students in the United States. She is a mission-driven leader with expertise in public service, philanthropy, social justice and ensuring that Native students have the resources and support to fulfill their academic and professional aspirations. Raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Angelique is a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Since assuming leadership in 2017, Angelique has transformed Native Forward into a national force, surpassing $350 million in total scholarships to over 20,000 students from 500 Tribes in all 50 states. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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 special episode recorded live on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin chats with Enyi Okebugwu from Imaginable Futures about his work creating effective support structures for student parents. He explains how states are leaning in here and why this work is becoming increasingly important for institutions to focus on. Guest Name: Enyi Okebugwu - Senior Program Manager at Imaginable Futures Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Enyi Okebugwu is the senior program manager at Imaginable Futures. His work focuses on supporting field building and systems change for student parents in the US through nonprofit investments and partnerships. In addition, he supports the development and implementation of IF’s learning and impact practices. Prior to joining Imaginable Futures, he worked on the investment team at Village Capital, and spent time as an Impact Fellow with New Globe, where he drove the development process for New Globe’s first cohort of primary schools in Nigeria. Enyi began his career by founding a social enterprise, Legendary Tutors, focused on providing high-quality test prep and college admissions consulting to underserved high school students in the south side of Chicago. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://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.