In this episode, Dustin is joined by Tara Gilboa, a former educator and current Executive Director of Colorado's Tech Talent Partnership. Together, they explore the growing need for local workforce development, particularly in tech and cybersecurity, and how Colorado is addressing this challenge with innovative pathways for students. Tara shares insights on the importance of collaboration between educators, employers, and learners, and how this approach can make education more equitable and aligned with real-world job demands.

Guest Name: Tara Gilboa, Executive Director of Tech Talent Partnership

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Tara is the Executive Director of The Tech Talent Partnership, where she strives to increase economic mobility for Coloradans through employer-led pipeline management solutions. She is a former Entrepreneur-in-Residence with the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator and education leader for several public education institutions. Most recently as the Platform Programs Director at M13 Ventures, she supported the former executive team from Digital Ocean to launch playbooks for hiring and recruiting, organizational design, and OKR frameworks. She is committed to supporting Coloradan businesses thrive through best-in-class employer-ready talent and to championing education institutions to deliver streamlined pathways.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

In this dynamic episode, Nicole Baldassarre, Strategic Activator at Beyond Academics, joins Dustin to discuss the intersection of human-centered skills, AI, and higher education transformation. Nicole shares her journey into ed tech, explores the role of empathy and emotional intelligence in today's evolving workforce, and emphasizes the importance of technology as a tool to empower—not replace—human potential. From AI-driven efficiencies to the need for human connection, this conversation dives deep into how institutions can leverage both technology and human skills to stay ahead.

Guest Name: Nicole Baldassarre, Strategic Activator at Beyond Academics

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Nicole Baldassarre is the Strategic Activator at Beyond Academics, leveraging her strengths in seeing patterns where others see complexity to develop human-centered strategies that inspire action across higher ed. Nicole leads with curiosity and authenticity, and is passionate about restoring the lost art of human connection in the networked age. In her free time you can find her hosting gatherings accompanied by her signature cheese and charcuterie boards and/or bothering her fluffy, grumpy-face orange cat, Ziggy.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

This week, Dustin is joined by Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, host of The Rant podcast, and former Chancellor of California Community Colleges. Eloy shares his perspective on the shifting landscape of higher education as it evolves beyond focusing solely on access and completion. Eloy shares his insights on the critical need to rethink higher ed’s role in driving economic mobility, especially for underserved students. He also dives into how higher education can create more opportunities for more students to achieve real-world outcomes in a skills-based economy. Finally, Eloy offers practical advice for higher ed leaders on staying authentic and student-centric in their approach.

Guest Name: Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President & CEO of College Futures Foundation

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Eloy Ortiz Oakley is an experienced and nationally recognized higher education leader and a champion for equity in higher education. He has a clear track record of designing and implementing policy reforms that improve outcomes for students of all backgrounds. Eloy is also an experienced board member and advisor that actively engages in challenging the status quo. He is skilled in visualizing the future and developing strategies that leverage trends, technologies and evolving perceptions in higher education.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

Dustin is joined by David Marchick, Dean of American University's Kogod School of Business, and Angela Virtu, Professorial Lecturer, to discuss how AI is reshaping business education. They share insights into Kogod’s AI curriculum, which aims to equip all students, regardless of their major, with AI literacy. They talk about the importance of adapting to AI’s growing presence and the practical steps Kogod is taking to ensure students remain competitive in an evolving job market.

Guest Names:
David Marchick, Dean at Kogod School of Business at American University
Angela Virtu, Professorial Lecturer at Kogod School of Business at American University

Guest Socials:
David - LinkedIn
Angela - LinkedIn

Guest Bios:
David Marchick serves as Dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University. In this role, he leads the school’s work to support more than 2,000 students and offer more than two dozen undergraduate and graduate degree and certification programs.
Since Marchick took on the role of Dean in August 2022, the Kogod School of Business has unveiled major initiatives in sustainability, AI and entrepreneurship; raised more than the previous 10 years combined; attracted its largest-ever first-year undergraduate class; and almost doubled the number of endowed chairs for the school.

Angela Virtu is a Professorial Lecturer in the IT & Analytics department at American University’s Kogod School of Business, where she teaches courses on technology, data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). As the AI Instructional Faculty Fellow, she leads Kogod’s AI strategy and spearheads faculty and staff training initiatives. Prior to academia, Angela developed AI and machine learning solutions that bridged theoretical innovation with practical, ethical applications, driving organizational integration and measurable business impact.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

In this episode, Dustin Ramsdell sits down with Dr. Raye Mahlberg, Assistant Vice President for Learner Experience at Nightingale College, to discuss the innovative ways the institution is transforming nursing education. From using augmented and virtual reality to providing flexible, fully online programs, Nightingale College is making nursing education more accessible, particularly in underserved rural areas. Dr. Mahlberg shares insights on how these strategies are helping to address the nursing shortage and improving healthcare outcomes in communities across the country.

Guest Name: Dr. Raye Mahlberg, Assistant Vice President for Learner Experience at Nightingale College

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: With over 20 years of experience in higher education leadership, Dr. Raye Mahlberg is a dedicated and innovative professional who strives to create positive and impactful learning experiences for students. As the Assistant Vice President of Learner Experience at Nightingale College, she oversees the wraparound support services for the institution’s nursing learners.
Raye’s core competencies include curriculum development, enrollment management, training and development, presentation skills training, and student development. She enjoys finding creative solutions to problems, and helping others to be the best they can be. Raye’s mission is to empower learners to achieve their educational and career goals, and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and society.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

We’re immensely proud to feature a thought-provoking conversation with Michael Horn on the podcast this week. Michael is a leading authority on education innovation and disruption who has written several books about the sector, such as Choosing College and the forthcoming title, Job Moves. He is also the co-host of the fantastic Future U Podcast. Michael shares his perspectives on the evolving landscape of higher education, the importance of adopting new learning models, and strategies for institutions to stay relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world.

Guest Name: Michael Horn - Author, Speaker, Podcaster and Professor

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Michael Horn is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a non-profit think tank, and teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He cohosts the top education podcasts Future U and Class Disrupted. He is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and writes the Substack newsletter The Future of Education. Michael also serves as an executive editor at Education Next, and his work has been featured in outlets such as TheNew York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Harvard Business Review, and NBC.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Meghan Grace, a dynamic higher education consultant, researcher, and host of the #GenZ Podcast. Meghan shares her expertise on the importance of knowing your people, implementing data-informed strategies, and fostering a collaborative culture in higher education institutions. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in navigating change management and highlights the necessity of clear, stakeholder-informed strategic plans.

Guest Name: Dr. Meghan Grace - Freelance Researcher, Author, Speaker, and Podcaster

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Dr. Meghan Grace is a passionate researcher, consultant, and speaker who thrives on empowering individuals and organizations to tackle problems by developing sustainable solutions. Through research, assessment, strategic planning, and project planning & management, she helps others leverage data to inform their planning and decision-making to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

We’re pleased to have with us this week Phil Hill, a seasoned expert in educational technology and market analysis who writes regularly for his On EdTech newsletter. Phil shares his extensive experience in consulting and analyzing market trends, particularly in the context of the current financial challenges facing higher education and EdTech companies. Phil shares relevant insights about global higher ed from his podcast, Online Education Across the Atlantic. They also discuss the recent bankruptcies and acquisitions in the sector, the ongoing enrollment crisis, and the potential for future innovation and investment in education technology.

Guest Name: Phil Hill - Blogger, Speaker, and Market Analyst at Phil Hill & Associates

Guest Social: LinkedIn

Guest Bio: Phil Hill has been a market analyst and consultant in EdTech for over two decades. He is most notably recognized for publishing the On EdTech blog and newsletter, which began in 2019 after he decided to separate from the e-Literate brand and blaze his own trail. Revered for his honest and upfront take on market trends for online / hybrid education, OPMs, and learning platforms, Phil provides thoughtful and practical advice to his clients. His unique graphics and visuals have been widely used and shared in the education space. Phil is also a husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoys being outdoors, spending time with his Australian Shepard, craft beer, and live music.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.