AV/IT Amplifier

Ryan Gray

Higher education institutions rely on audio-visual (AV) and information technology (IT) solutions as a key backbone for modern teaching and learning. The AV/IT industry plays a critical role in providing these solutions, and it is important to highlight the latest trends, innovations, and perspectives in this sector. The podcast “The AV/IT Amplifier” aims to fill this gap by featuring interviews with people from Higher Education Institutions and the AV/IT Industry who have an idea, concept, perspective, event or product that would be helpful or interesting to the target audience of higher education technology managers. The host of the podcast is Ryan Gray, Assistant Director of IT at Yavapai College. “The AV/IT Amplifier” podcast will have a bi-monthly schedule with two recordings per month, each being split in half to provide for weekly episodes. Each episode will be targeted for 30 minutes to be about the length of an average commute. The first half of each recording will focus on the primary topic for that guest, while the second half will be a profile of the person. The podcast will not only focus on technical topics but also on non-technical ones such as effective people management, pedagogy, community building, building a personal brand, career planning, professional development and other similar topics for our audience. The split episode format allows for a dive into the topic and the opportunity to get to know the person and perhaps draw the connections between why that topic is so important to that guest.

  1. 131: Work Together To Make Some Difference with Tom Segers

    6H AGO

    131: Work Together To Make Some Difference with Tom Segers

    Recorded live at the HETMA booth on the show floor of ISE 2026, Ryan sits down with Belgium based higher ed AV leader Tom Segers from Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. They talk about what it looks like to support AV at scale with a tiny central team across multiple campuses, and why global community matters when higher education needs a louder voice in an industry that often defaults to corporate assumptions.  Tom also shares a Europe specific lens that will feel immediately relevant to US listeners: multilingual collaboration, privacy expectations for students on camera, and why audio quality becomes the make or break layer in hybrid learning. The conversation lands on the practical reality we all live in, construction timelines and technology timelines never line up, so staying connected and learning from peers is not a nice to have, it is survival.  Topics Discussed • Running AV services for 20,000 students with a three person expert team • Multi campus support challenges, travel time, local support structures • Finding HETMA through EDUCAUSE connections and building community infrastructure • Why higher ed needs collective leverage with manufacturers • English as the shared language at global AV events • Talking to R and D on the show floor, why it matters more than sales conversations • Hybrid and connected classroom momentum since the pandemic • Student privacy expectations in Europe and what that changes operationally • Audio as the most important, most expensive layer in hybrid rooms • Funding models and lifecycle planning for refresh and replacement Connect with Tom Segers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-segers-19b89676/  Thomas More: https://thomasmore.be/en  Connect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

    29 min
  2. 130: Catch You On The Flipside with Issac Abbs

    JAN 28

    130: Catch You On The Flipside with Issac Abbs

    Isaac Abbs returns for week two and the conversation leans hard into the human side of senior leadership: how an introvert survives a job that demands constant presence, how you build buy in like a coach building a locker room, and how you create real moments of recognition when your team is the one taking the calls and absorbing the heat. Along the way, Isaac shares what he has learned about getting comfortable being uncomfortable, why delivery matters more than content when you are on stage, and why storytelling is the skill that makes the message land.  It is also a Tucson flavored episode in the best way: Isaac’s path from California to Maine to the University of Arizona, a love letter to Fourth Avenue, and an extremely specific answer to the best sandwich question that will make every Tucson listener nod instantly. The wrap up lands with a leadership gut punch that comes up again and again on this show: the question people almost never ask leaders, even though it might be the one that matters most.  Topics Discussed Introversion in extroverted leadership roles, and building the muscle to show up anyway Practice as the real unlock for public speaking and high visibility leadership Coaching mindset in IT leadership: vision, mission, trust, and buy in Defining wins in IT when the impact is often on everyone else, not you Creating intentional celebration rhythms: strategic plan reviews, win stories, and acknowledging the grind Customer service as a frontline reality, and why recognition needs to be specific and frequent Changing perspective on AI: from caution to strategic momentum, and the risk of falling behind Tucson culture check: Fourth Avenue, Bison Witches, and the U of A tournament memory lane The underrated power of storytelling in leadership communication The question leaders wish people asked more often: How are you doing, and meaning it Connect with Isaac Abbs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaac-abbs Connect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

    28 min
  3. 129: Trust Drips In and Pours Out with Isaac Abbs

    JAN 21

    129: Trust Drips In and Pours Out with Isaac Abbs

    Ryan Gray is joined by Isaac Abbs, Chief Information Officer at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Isaac walks through what the CIO role really demands in higher ed—leadership, clarity, and the ability to solve problems at a level that changes outcomes for the institution. He reflects on his career path (public sector to higher ed and back), why the CIO role appealed to him early, and what it means to lead technology in a way that helps people get somewhere they didn’t think was possible. From there, the conversation gets practical: the modern CIO job as a “people business,” the need for visibility and relentless communication, and how trust is built through responsiveness and relationships. They also dig into AV strategy and room experience—right-sizing classroom tech, avoiding “technology for technology’s sake,” and pushing for spaces that don’t require a manual. Zoom Rooms, simpler conference room experiences, and AV-over-IP as a path toward consistency and usability all come up as part of Isaac’s roadmap for making the experience smoother for faculty and staff. Topics Discussed What Pima Community College looks like (scale, campuses, student profile)Why Isaac aimed for the CIO role earlyCareer “boomerang” moves and returning with broader perspectiveWhat the CIO role actually is day-to-day (and what people misunderstand)Balancing executive demands with family life and burnout riskCIO leadership as “people-first,” not tech-firstBeing visible to earn a seat at decision tablesCommunication as strategy: transparency, newsletters, responsiveness“Easy button” room expectations and right-sizing classroom techZoom Rooms + AV-over-IP as simplification and standardization leversConnect with Isaac Abbs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaac-abbs Connect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

    31 min
  4. 128: If You Think Nobody Cares, You're Wrong with Thomas Eastlack

    JAN 14

    128: If You Think Nobody Cares, You're Wrong with Thomas Eastlack

    Week two with Thomas goes deeper into the inner mechanics of growth: how confidence gets built (and rebuilt) in real time, how “needing people” can be both a strength and a signal, and what it looks like to stop outsourcing your own decisions. Ryan and Thomas talk candidly about learning to move forward without requiring constant external reassurance—and how that shift changes the way you show up in work and life. The conversation also hits the human layer underneath the job titles: believing there’s good in the world, the cost of giving too much without replenishing yourself, and the kind of question people rarely ask—because it requires them to actually be ready for the answer. Along the way: a great metaphor about “overflow vs. emptying your cup,” mentorship, ITSM curiosity, and a surprisingly specific Subway order. Topics Discussed Introvert vs. extrovert energy (and what happens when you’re alone too long)How Thomas is building confidence in decisions under stress“What are you waiting for?” — self-talk and external validationWhether people are fundamentally good (and how to live that belief)Protecting yourself from over-giving: overflow vs. depletionEnvy vs. material jealousy: wanting traits, not stuffWhat strong leaders actually have (spoiler: not all the answers)ITSM learning: tools, automation, and simplifying messy processesThe question people should ask more often: “How are you… really?”How to connect with Thomas + his sign-off phrase Connect with Thomas Email – Thomas.Eastlack@yc.edu LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-eastlack/ Connect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

    31 min
  5. 127: Don't Lose Yourself with Thomas Eastlack

    JAN 7

    127: Don't Lose Yourself with Thomas Eastlack

    After a stretch of inconsistency, Ryan kicks off 2026 with a simple promise: the show is back, and the conversations are the fuel. In this in-person episode, he sits down with Thomas Eastlack, a familiar face at Yavapai College who recently moved from the IT service desk into a newly created role supporting HR technology. Thomas unpacks the shift from reactive “break/fix” work to proactive systems thinking—ticketing workflows, website iteration cycles, chatbot training, and the early push toward cloud-first habits. But the heart of the conversation is service: empathy, trust, and the mindset that keeps support work human even when the calls are repetitive. It’s also a candid look at imposter feelings, decision-making pressure, and what it means to grow into being “the expert” while staying grounded in who you are. Topics DiscussedMoving from service desk technician to HR IT lead analystReactive support vs proactive process and systems improvementLaunching an HR ticketing system for routing, automation, and accountabilityWebsite refresh realities: iterations, stakeholders, and “meeting in the middle”Training and maintaining a website chatbot and early AI exposureShifting departments while staying collaborative with central ITEmpathy as a practical support skill (tone, language, and de-escalation)Avoiding burnout and jadedness when the same problems repeatHiring for attitude and service mindset over day-one operational knowledgeGrowth, purpose, and why Yavapai College is a place people stay Connect with Thomas Email – Thomas.Eastlack@yc.edu LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-eastlack/ Connect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

    34 min
  6. 125: RTM Higher Education Fall 2025

    11/12/2025

    125: RTM Higher Education Fall 2025

    Recorded on-site in Austin, this cross-conversation episode (in partnership with RTM Business Group’s Inside Innovation) brings together fast takes from the Fall Higher Education CIO Congress. We open with RTM’s Mica Spanos on how listening to practitioners—and getting them into the same room—drives a program that’s useful in a world that never quite calms down. Cole McFarren (University of Arizona Global Campus) shares the online-only perspective: the surprising value of “out-of-scope” sessions and the energy that comes from meeting peers face-to-face. Then Scott Smith (Director of Digital & Instructional Innovation) talks about blending IT with pedagogy, why “ready for prime time” matters, and the power of making technologists sit in classes (and instructional folks shadow techs). Dr. Angela Camaille (Delgado Community College) dives into professional development, authenticity, and the leadership strength of saying “I don’t know.” We close with Jess Awtrey  (SVP, Boodleox) on AI infrastructure built for higher ed, governance in the “wild-west” phase, and Coach Mode as scaffolding for AI literacy. Topics Discussed Why smaller, selective convenings (like RTM) produce higher-signal conversationsProgramming by listening: building agendas around real campus problemsOnline-only realities: what transfers (and what doesn’t) from brick-and-mortar“Ready for prime time”: how one failed demo collapses adoptionCross-shadowing: tech staff in classrooms, instructional staff with techniciansProfessional development as table stakes, not a nice-to-haveAuthentic leadership: psychological safety and the value of “I don’t know”Community college lens: pedagogy for everyone, not just the already-preparedAI infrastructure vs. a single tool: governance, privacy, equitable accessCoach Mode and AI literacy: meeting users where they are and leveling them up • Mica Spanos — LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mica-spanos-b980a81b0/ • Cole McFarrin — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-mcfarren-7913b074/ • Scott Smith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottssmith/ • Dr. Angela Camaille— LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-camaille-6823969a/ • Jess Awtrey  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-awtrey-4ba9a95/ Connect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

    38 min
  7. 124: Gray Matter Moment: Leadership Odyssey

    10/15/2025

    124: Gray Matter Moment: Leadership Odyssey

    Sometimes leadership doesn’t begin with a grand vision—it begins with a text. In this introspective Gray Matter Moment, Ryan Gray records from the shores of Puerto Peñasco during his family’s annual October trip and reflects on a recent experience that brought personal vulnerability into the spotlight. He had been invited to co-lead a session at Yavapai College’s “Students of Leadership” retreat, an intensive three-day mountaintop experience for emerging student leaders. The theme? The phoenix. What unfolded was a powerful exploration of the relationships that shape a leader’s story—those closest to you in your venture, and the larger network that comprises your odyssey. Feeling the weight of proving the concept, Ryan sent a late-night video request to his own leadership network, asking if they would say, simply, “I’m part of Ryan’s Leadership Odyssey.” The overwhelming response became a video that turned a presentation into a shared affirmation—and a retreat highlight. This episode walks listeners through that experience, offering a reminder: the people you surround yourself with define your trajectory. Leadership isn’t solitary—it’s a journey guided by others. Topics DiscussedRecording from the Sea of Cortez during a family tripBroken wrist update and life-work balanceIntroduction to the Yavapai College “Students of Leadership” programPreparing (and co-presenting) a leadership session with Dean Stacey HiltonThe symbolism of the phoenix, and collective nouns: venture and odysseyHow venture reflects your close-knit leadership circleHow odyssey represents the broader network that shapes your journeyThe last-minute decision to text Ryan’s own leadership networkDozens of affirming video replies and their emotional impactShowing students the power of curating your leadership odysseyConnect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

    23 min
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Higher education institutions rely on audio-visual (AV) and information technology (IT) solutions as a key backbone for modern teaching and learning. The AV/IT industry plays a critical role in providing these solutions, and it is important to highlight the latest trends, innovations, and perspectives in this sector. The podcast “The AV/IT Amplifier” aims to fill this gap by featuring interviews with people from Higher Education Institutions and the AV/IT Industry who have an idea, concept, perspective, event or product that would be helpful or interesting to the target audience of higher education technology managers. The host of the podcast is Ryan Gray, Assistant Director of IT at Yavapai College. “The AV/IT Amplifier” podcast will have a bi-monthly schedule with two recordings per month, each being split in half to provide for weekly episodes. Each episode will be targeted for 30 minutes to be about the length of an average commute. The first half of each recording will focus on the primary topic for that guest, while the second half will be a profile of the person. The podcast will not only focus on technical topics but also on non-technical ones such as effective people management, pedagogy, community building, building a personal brand, career planning, professional development and other similar topics for our audience. The split episode format allows for a dive into the topic and the opportunity to get to know the person and perhaps draw the connections between why that topic is so important to that guest.