Cooperatively Speaking

E&I Cooperative Services
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
Cooperatively Speaking

Welcome to Cooperatively Speaking®, a podcast by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, nonprofit procurement cooperative focused exclusively on education. Each episode, we discuss the topics most important to procurement and end-users at schools and universities. Find out more at www.eandi.org/podcast.

  1. 12H AGO

    From Pen Testing to Protection: Ball State’s Cybersecurity Journey

    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-clock protection, and what makes a vendor-university relationship truly work. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your institution’s cybersecurity posture, this conversation delivers insight, strategy, and lessons learned from the front lines. Guests: Tobey Coffman, Executive Director of Information Security and Chief Information Security Officer, Ball State University & Ron Pelletier, Founder & Chief Customer Officer, Pondurance Host: Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services  Relevant Links: E&I's Pondurance Contract Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    34 min

  2. JUN 24

    Pregnancy Protections on Campus: Title IX, Title VII, the ADA, the PFWA, and Student-Athletes Protections

    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, what the compliance mechanisms are for those laws, the unique challenges of pregnant student-athletes, and practical advice for universities. The episode highlights how laws that apply to pregnancy on campus are unique as well as what constitutes a "pregnancy-related condition," and how institutions can ensure compliance. The conversation also explores how the Biden administration’s approach to Title IX enforcement on pregnancy differs from that of the Trump era. E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services Guests: James Nussbaum, Partner at CCHA & Jodie Ferise, Partner at CCHA Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    23 min

  3. JUN 10

    Artificial Intelligence and the Battle for Data Privacy

    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 compliant with regulations like FERPA. As a seasoned expert in education technology, Chris shares insights on cutting through the noise of overhyped AI solutions, streamlining tech stacks, and building ethically sound systems that truly serve students. Whether you're just beginning your AI journey or looking to sharpen your data privacy strategy, this episode offers timely, practical guidance on the future of AI in higher ed. E&I Host: Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services Guest: Chris Uthe, Chief Product Officer, BlackBeltHelp Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    20 min

  4. JUN 5

    Title: Race, Gender, and Justice: The Crossroads of Title IX and Title VI

    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-time challenges institutions now face regarding admissions, athletics, sexual misconduct, and diversity.  As Title IX and Title VI increasingly intersect, the boundaries between them are becoming less clear, making compliance even more complicated. One of the most controversial shifts is the administration’s strict, binary definition of sex, which removes federal protections for transgender students. Institutions that allow transgender women to participate in women’s sports or use women’s facilities are already facing new federal investigations. The return of the 2020 Title IX regulations adds another layer of complexity, strengthening protections for students accused of misconduct while limiting schools’ responsibilities for off-campus incidents. The administration is also widening its scrutiny of colleges, beyond just the Ivy League.  For higher ed leaders, these developments are forcing urgent reassessments of campus policies and civil rights compliance strategies in a rapidly changing landscape. Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    22 min

  5. MAY 7

    The Psychology of Color: How it Affects Students and Their Learning

    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 covered. Michelle discusses how colors can be welcoming and encouraging in certain areas, and how using different types of colors for other areas creates serenity and positive results for students. She covers how lighting and color contribute to education wellness, safety, and security, and how The Pittsburgh Paints Company’s dedicated teams can help our members with this. Relevant Links: E&I Pittsburgh Paints Company Contract The Pittsburgh Paints Company Website  Continuing Education for Professionals Color Psychology for Education: How Does Color Enhance the Learning Environment? How Colors Impact Children’s Behavior and Learning | Color Meanings The Effects of Color on the Moods of College Students - Sevinc Kurt, Kelechi Kingsley Osueke Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    34 min

  6. MAY 2

    Safeguarding K-12 Finances: Payment Fraud Prevention in the Digital Age

    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 onboarding and cross-functional collaboration.  Learn how to spot vulnerabilities, implement low-effort fraud prevention strategies, and take advantage of E&I’s trusted partnership with PaymentWorks to simplify and secure your processes. Whether you’re facing fraud now or want to stay one step ahead, this episode is packed with practical guidance you won’t want to miss.  Tune in now to get ahead of payment fraud and protect what matters most—your district’s financial health.  Make sure to visit E&I Cooperative's EdPro Hub, a vibrant digital space where educators can connect, collaborate, and grow. Contributors will benefit from peer-to-peer knowledge transfer, dynamic chat, discussion groups, virtual workshops, events, and a searchable knowledge base. These features are all designed to foster a dynamic and inclusive community where education procurement professionals can thrive. Visit today: https://community.eandi.org/s/. Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    23 min

  7. APR 7

    Brand Under Fire: A New Playbook for Crisis Management on Campus in the Digital Age

    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 essential principles for institutions to authentically and transparently manage crises with speed and agility.  Additionally, Jeff explains how Legend Labs assists schools in conducting vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential crisis points. This podcast discusses campus crisis issues and strategies for addressing  the challenges that keep college presidents up at night. Relevant Links: E&I Legend Labs ContractLegend Labs WebsiteCooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    17 min

  8. APR 7

    Windows 10 Going End of Life: Time to Upgrade Students & Faculty to Windows 11

    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 from cyber threats. Erol also discusses the new features around Copilot, which helps students stay organized and optimizes the power of their laptop. Windows 11 offers additional upgrades including asset tagging, so enterprise customers can easily disable a device if a laptop goes missing. Erol even discusses how schools sometimes  "over buy" in laptops they think they need, and how B&H can be a consulting partner to help  find the optimal device for your students and faculty, instead of the most expensive device.  Relevant Links: E&& B&H ContractB&H Website E&I Podcast | Procuring Apple Products at B&H: The New Certified Apple Reseller for Higher Education"Unboxing" Apple Products on Campus, and Why an Apple Reseller Certified for Higher Ed May Save Time and Money Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast. Contact Us Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Cooperatively Speaking®, a podcast by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, nonprofit procurement cooperative focused exclusively on education. Each episode, we discuss the topics most important to procurement and end-users at schools and universities. Find out more at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    E&I Cooperative Services
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 E&I Cooperative Services
  • Show Website
    Cooperatively Speaking

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