The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

Dustin Ramsdell
  • 4.7 (34)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

  1. 14H AGO

    Episode #321: The Importance of Fostering Global Citizenship for Today’s Learners

    In this special episode recorded live on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin sits down with Shaun Carver, Executive Director of the International House at UC Berkeley as well as President of the International House Association. He shares his experience creating opportunities for his students from all over the world to connect with one another and why it is more important now than ever. He also explains how recent federal government actions on visas have created uniquely difficult situations for his students. Guest Name: Dr. Shaun Carver - Executive Director & CEO of the International House at UC Berkeley Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Shaun Carver is a global education leader and nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience advancing institutions at the intersection of international engagement, academic innovation, and mission-driven impact. He has proven success leading complex organizations, stewarding institutional transformations, and expanding global networks. Shaun is currently serving as Executive Director and CEO of the International House at UC Berkeley, and President of the revitalized International House Association—a global movement originally supported by the Rockefeller family. - - - -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.

    29 min

  2. MAR 11

    Episode #320: Building Allied Health Talent at Scale Without Student Debt

    What does “free tuition” actually mean — and why isn’t it enough? In this episode, Dustin sits down with Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health and host of the WorkforceRx podcast, to unpack how her organization is tackling the healthcare workforce shortage by helping adults earn debt-free credentials in allied health fields. From redesigning incentives around completion (not just enrollment) to supporting adult learners with real-life constraints, this conversation challenges traditional higher ed funding models and offers a bold blueprint for workforce-aligned education. The takeaway? Free tuition alone doesn’t drive success. Smart design, accountability, and intentional support do. Guest Name: Van Ton-Quinlivan - CEO at Futuro Health Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Van Ton-Quinlivan is a nationally recognized workforce development leader with a career spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. As CEO of Futuro Health, she’s building the nation’s largest network of allied healthcare workers. In 2022, she was appointed by Governor Newsom to help shape California’s healthcare workforce education and training. Van is the author and podcast host of WorkforceRx, promoting agile, multicultural solutions for employers, educators, and workers.  Featured in major media and a sought-after keynote speaker, she’s been named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare (2024) and among the 100 Most Influential Higher Education Leaders (2025). She serves on several national boards and holds an MBA and MA in Education Policy from Stanford University. Born in Vietnam and raised in Hawaii, Van now lives in California. A new empty nester, she enjoys morning coffee walks with her husband, and recently took up taiko drumming. - - - -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.

    32 min

  3. MAR 4

    Episode #319: How to Use AI in Admissions Without Losing the Human Touch

    In this podcast swap episode, Dustin sits down with Ashish Fernando, Founder and CEO at EDMO as well as the host of the EDU Unlocked podcast, to unpack how AI is reshaping admissions and enrollment. From fixing broken transfer credit processes to building AI systems that prioritize both speed and student experience, Ashish shares what he’s learned from years of conversations with presidents and CIOs. The big idea? AI shouldn’t replace humans in higher ed — it should remove friction so institutions can deliver a better, more affordable experience for students. Guest Name: Ashish Fernando - Founder & CEO at EDMO Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Ashish Fernando is the Founder and CEO of EDMO and iSchoolConnect, companies dedicated to revolutionising student admissions through artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions. Mr Ashish obtained a Master’s degree in business administration at Bentley University in Massachusetts, USA, having achieved a first Master’s, in biotechnology, at Sathyabama University in India. At EDMO, his mission is to empower enrolment and admissions teams to make a profound impact with more students, guide students to align their educational choices with career aspirations and bridge the gap between education and the workforce for real-world 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.

    34 min

  4. FEB 25

    Episode #318: The Future of Digital Learning Is Integrated

    In this forward-looking conversation, Dustin sits down with Andy Morgan, Chief Partnerships Officer at 2U, to unpack what digital education looks like in 2026—and where it’s heading next. From the maturation of online learning to mounting regulatory pressure and the rapid acceleration of AI, Andy outlines the three major forces reshaping higher ed strategy today. The big takeaway? Moving a program online isn’t innovation anymore. Institutions that thrive will build integrated, learner-first strategies that blend modality, rethink marketing, and use AI to enhance—not replace—human connection. Guest Name: Andy Morgan, Chief Partnerships Officer, 2U Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Andy Morgan is 2U’s Chief Partnerships Officer overseeing all aspects of 2U’s partner relationships, including strategy, growth, and performance, as well as 2U’s enterprise business.  A long-time leader at 2U, Morgan has held a variety of strategic roles critical to the company’s growth and expansion, including Head of Corporate Development and, most recently, Interim Head of the Alternative Credential Segment. With over 15 years of experience in edtech, Morgan brings a wealth of industry knowledge that has been instrumental in molding 2U into one of the world's leading edtech companies. Prior to joining 2U in 2018, Morgan spent seven years at Pearson managing merger and acquisitions and global business transformation across Pearson’s media and education businesses. Earlier in his career, Morgan worked in the London office of Ernst & Young in several transaction advisory and consulting roles serving private equity clients. Morgan lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife and two children. He holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Warwick. - - - -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.

    39 min

  5. FEB 18

    Episode #317: Redesigning Digital Infrastructure for Gen Alpha and Beyond

    In this episode, Dustin chats with Michelle Craig, Director of Marketing at AppsAnywhere, about how institutions can better support today’s digitally fluent, mobile-first students. They explore the critical need for flexibility in how students access learning tools and why digital equity isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a must. From device agnosticism to smarter infrastructure investments, this conversation gives IT leaders and enrollment pros alike actionable ways to align tech strategy with student realities. Guest Name: Michelle Craig - Director of Marketing at AppsAnywhere Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Michelle Craig is the Senior Director of Marketing and Commercial Operations at AppsAnywhere. With a focus on innovative go-to-market strategies and cross-functional leadership, she brings a results-oriented approach to connecting AppsAnywhere’s solutions which help universities simplify software access for over three million students across 300 institutions worldwide. She brings two decades of EdTech experience from senior roles at Blackboard, QS Unisolution, JobTeaser, and Solutionpath. - - - -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.

    24 min

  6. FEB 11

    Episode #316: From Chaos to Clarity - AI’s Role in Higher Ed Operations

    What if the path to transforming higher ed isn't about radical reinvention—but about finally using the tools we already have? In this episode, Dustin chats with Kelly Rogan, COO of Ellucian, about how AI and data can revolutionize student experiences, institutional operations, and leadership decisions—if we’re brave enough to modernize. Drawing from her background at Microsoft and her deep dive into higher ed, Kelly unpacks how institutions can move from resistance to action, without losing the human touch. Guest Name: Kelly Rogan - Chief Operating Officer at Ellucian Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: As Chief Operating Officer, Kelly Rogan drives acceleration and enhancement of Ellucian’s SaaS delivery strategies and customer experience, leading the Global Professional Services, Managed Services, Services Strategy and Innovation, and Customer Success and Support organizations. Kelly has more than 20 years of impressive experience in driving cloud transformation in the technology industry, a deep understanding of transformational change, and a proven ability to scale organizations effectively. - - - -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.

    25 min

  7. FEB 4

    Episode #315: Higher Ed, Free Speech, and the Future of Democracy

    In this thought-provoking episode, political philosopher and Penn GSE professor Dr. Sigal Ben-Porath joins host Dustin to unpack one of higher ed’s most pressing—and polarizing—topics: the future of free speech and academic freedom on campus. Drawing from her books Free Speech on Campus and Cancel Wars, Dr. Ben-Porath makes the case for a more inclusive vision of free expression in higher education, while warning against rising government overreach in curricula. She also highlights the important work happening on this topic at the SNF Paideia Program, where she is Faculty Director. Together, they explore how colleges can stay true to their democratic mission even as they navigate growing political pressure and cultural division. Guest Name: Dr. Sigal Ben-Porath - Professor & Faculty Director at University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Dr. Ben-Porath has been teaching at Penn GSE since 2004. She is an associate member of the political science department and the philosophy department at Penn. She also currently serves as the faculty director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Paideia Program. She served as a special assistant to the university president, and as chair of the faculty advisory board to Penn Press, and as executive committee member of the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy. In 2010 she was a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton, in 2012–2013 she was affiliated with the Safra Center for Ethics at Tel Aviv University, and in 2020–2021 she was a fellow in residence at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard. - - - -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.

    29 min

  8. JAN 28

    Episode #314: Why Faculty Are Your Secret Marketing Weaponf

    In this week’s episode, Dustin sits down with Brian Hartnack, Founder and CEO of Archer Education, for a rich conversation about the evolution of digital marketing and enrollment management in higher ed. Brian shares the origin story behind Archer, his thoughts on the shifting landscape of online education, and what institutions should really be doing right now to stay competitive in an AI-powered world. This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a roadmap for modern marketing leaders in higher education. Guest Name: Brian Hartnack, Founder & CEO, Archer Education Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Brian Hartnack is the CEO and co-founder of Archer Education, a leader in higher education marketing and enrollment growth. With more than 20 years of experience in online education, Brian has spent his career helping institutions navigate the evolving demands of online and adult education. He is passionate about developing practical, innovative solutions that expand access, improve enrollment outcomes, and support long-term institutional capacity. Brian believes that thoughtfully designed online learning plays a critical role in making higher education more accessible, affordable, and engaging for today’s learners. - - - -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.

    27 min
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4.7
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

Information

  • Creator
    Dustin Ramsdell
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    383
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Enrollify
  • Show Website
    The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

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