The Signal

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 46 - Katie Condon: Beyond the Funnel, how EMU is Rethinking Student Success Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Katie Condon, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University, to unpack the urgent challenges and innovative strategies shaping higher ed’s future. With over a decade of experience spanning West Virginia University and EMU, Katie offers a candid look at how regional publics can compete amid shrinking demographics, financial aid upheavals, and rising student demands for ROI.

From her viral 4,000-handwritten-note campaign (yes, even the rowing team pitched in) to rethinking transfer student pathways, Katie shares how she balances data-driven decisions with human-centric approaches. Discover why “many” and “a lot” are her least favorite words, how AI could revolutionize financial aid transparency, and why teaching freshman communication classes made her a better leader. Tune in for actionable insights on turning enrollment crises into opportunities—without losing your authenticity.

Regional vs. Flagship Realities

Smaller schools face higher stakes with fewer resources: “At a flagship, risks feel small. At a regional, every risk could be existential.”

Data ≠ Panic

Avoid reactive decisions: “One negative food review out of 2,000 doesn’t mean overhaul the menu.” Context matters more than raw numbers.

Transparency Wins

Students demand clarity: “They’re asking, ‘What will my degree cost the day I start?’” EMU’s career-focused messaging highlights short-term ROI (e.g., young alumni on Wall Street).

AI’s Next Frontier: Financial Aid

Personalized video walkthroughs of aid packages (via tools like Notebook LM) could bridge gaps for first-gen students—but data security is non-negotiable.

The Power of “All Are Welcome”

EMU’s campus-wide note-card campaign (even athletes wrote 700+ cards) boosted belonging by making recruitment everyone’s job.

Transfer Students Need Segmentation

Articulation agreements are outdated: “Today’s transfers might have dual enrollment, a failed semester elsewhere, or 100 scattered credits—they’re not a monolith.”

Leadership Hack: Teach Freshmen

Katie’s 7 years teaching intro comms revealed how recruitment impacts classroom success—and vice versa. “Emailing an A student praise works like a yield campaign.”

Advice for New Leaders

“Ask ‘why’ relentlessly early on. Later, questions seem suspicious.” Curiosity builds trust and uncovers institutional blind spots.

Listen Now to learn how to turn enrollment challenges into student-centered victories! ✨

Find Katie Condon here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie--condon/

Eastern Michigan University

http://emu.edu/

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 45 - Eytan Wurman: What If We Recruited Musicians Like We Do Athletes? Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eytan Wurman, founder of Common Time Pathways, to explore the untapped potential of music in college admissions. A former music teacher turned entrepreneur, Eytan reveals how his platform is bridging the gap between student musicians and $5 billion in overlooked scholarships—more than athletic scholarships combined.

From debunking myths about music careers (“You don’t have to be Yo-Yo Ma to succeed”) to leveraging AI for music education (without replacing human artistry), Eytan shares how Common Time Pathways is creating athlete-style recruitment pipelines for musicians. Discover why colleges are prioritizing students who retain music as part of their identity, how harmonic resonance connects cultures, and why the future of education needs more creativity—not less—in an AI-dominated world.

Music Scholarships Outpace Athletics

Over $5B in performing arts scholarships are awarded annually—more than D1/D2 athletic scholarships—but people are aware of this due to lack of awareness and networking opportunities.

10,000 Hours

Professional musicians aren’t born; they’re made through persistence. Like doctors or engineers, mastery comes from practice, not innate talent.

Why Music is Higher Ed’s Secret Retention Tool

Post-COVID, musicians returned to campus fastest because ensembles gave them identity and community—key to combating student burnout.

AI Can’t Replace Human Artistry (Yet)

Tools like Songscription.ai automate notation, but live music’s emotional power remains irreplaceable. “AI won’t make us cry like a human playing Beethoven.”

The Networking Gap

Athletes are recruited at age 5; musicians are told “figure it out.” Common Time Pathways connects students directly with professors and recruiters as early as 13.

Cultural Shift Needed

Counselors often lack tools to guide musical students. Changing the narrative from “music is nice” to “music is economically viable” is critical.

Global Harmony

Music transcends language and culture. Eytan’s work with international educators aims to redefine conservatory pipelines beyond Western classical traditions.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

“Talk to everyone—even your third-grade teacher.” Building a business hinges on relentless networking and seizing small connection opportunities.

Listen Now to learn how CommonTime Pathways is turning musicians into higher ed’s most valuable recruits!

Find Eytan Wurman here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eytanwurman/

CommonTime Pathways

https://www.ctpathways.com/

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 44 - Chase Williams: How Pathify Is Rewiring Campus Tech Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Chase Williams, CEO and co-founder of Pathify, to explore how modern digital engagement platforms are transforming the fragmented student experience. Born out of Chase’s own frustrations as a student at Monash University, Pathify has grown into a global solution serving nearly 250 institutions by consolidating communication, tasks, and resources into a single, intuitive hub.

Chase shares how Pathify’s middleware integration layer bridges siloed systems (from SIS to LMS to financial aid), why reducing "digital treasure hunts" boosts student success (like Pacific University’s 85% drop in financial holds), and how AI agents could soon automate tasks—if higher ed can untangle its data. Fresh off a $25 million investment, he also reveals Pathify’s expansion plans, the challenges of scaling a fully remote global team, and his hard-won advice for edtech founders: Persistence is the ultimate competitive advantage.

From "Link Farms" to Engagement Hubs

Traditional portals are outdated "link farms" that force students to navigate siloed systems. Pathify flips this by centralizing workflows (e.g., bill payments, advising) and personalizing content based on roles, interests, and behaviors—mirroring consumer apps like Spotify or YouTube.

Integration is the Secret Sauce

Pathify’s middleware layer transforms fragmented data (e.g., PeopleSoft APIs, iCal feeds) into a unified front-end experience. Example: Pacific University consolidated 29 systems into 5, slashing financial holds by 85% with targeted nudges.

AI’s Promise (and Pitfalls) in Higher Ed

AI agents could automate tasks (e.g., course enrollment, advisor bookings), but hallucination risks compound with complex, siloed data. Pathify’s deep integration layer positions it to lead here—when the data is ready.

Community Surprises

Despite commoditized tools (WhatsApp, GroupMe), Pathify’s institution-run communities drive engagement (e.g., spiking attendance at volleyball games via event groups)—proving students crave official digital spaces.

Global Growth, Remote Culture

Pathify’s fully remote team nurtures culture through quarterly meetups, cross-team events (like devs at EDUCAUSE), and a "marathon mindset" for scaling. Lesson: Operate remotely, strategize in person.

Vendor Evaluation: Skip the Slick Demo

Chase’s advice to higher ed leaders: Backchannel references. LinkedIn connections reveal more than any demo.

Founder Wisdom: Persistence Pays

Success is a marathon. Pathify’s decade-long journey—now with $25M funding—proves steady, focused growth beats "rocket ship" hype.

Listen Now to learn how smarter tech consolidation can turn institutional "digital overload" into seamless student success!

Find Chase Williams here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewilliamspath/

Pathify

https://pathify.com/

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 43 - Dr. Cabrini Pak Breaks Down the Future of AI in Academia Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Cabrini Pak—professor, interdisciplinary scholar, and systems thinker—to explore how cutting-edge concepts like stigmergy (a cybernetic coordination mechanism) and AI can transform higher education. With degrees in biology, theology, business, and cultural studies, Dr. Pak bridges gaps between disciplines, offering fresh insights into everything from classroom innovation to institutional efficiency.

Discover how she’s testing AI tools like GPT and Copilot with students, why tracking error rates is critical for ethical AI adoption, and how "agentic AI" could revolutionize advising and campus operations. She also shares lessons from her corporate career, including how higher ed can adopt a "living lab" mindset to accelerate innovation. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on breaking down silos, designing smarter workflows, and turning "constipated dinosaurs" into agile, AI-enabled institutions.

Key Takeaways:

Stigmergy: Borrowing from Nature to Solve Coordination Problems

Inspired by social insects (e.g., ants, bees), stigmergy uses action-trace feedback loops to improve collaboration. Dr. Pak applies this to classroom projects and consulting engagements, helping students "swarm" around problems effectively.

AI as a "Fancy Hammer"

AI is a tool, not a replacement. Dr. Pak’s experiments (e.g., Zoom’s AI assistant, GPT for forensic accounting) reveal its limitations (e.g., misgendering speakers, flawed summaries) and teach students critical evaluation.

Agentic AI is Already Here

Virtual TAs, advising bots, and automated workflows (e.g., course planning) are emerging on campuses. But trust remains a hurdle—human oversight and "undo buttons" are essential for high-stakes tasks.

Error Rates Matter

Testing AI error rates exposes biases (e.g., facial recognition failures) and improves training data. Higher ed must prioritize transparency, especially in areas like advising or data management.

Bots for the Boring Stuff

Automating tedious tasks (e.g., fixing dead links, updating web content) frees staff for meaningful work. Think "Roomba for websites"—but with human checks.

Private Sector Lessons: The "Living Lab" Mindset

Universities should emulate corporate agility by turning campuses into testing grounds for innovation (e.g., MIT’s sustainability labs). Scarcity demands circular, not linear, knowledge economies.

The Underrated AI Use Case: Tacit Knowledge Mining

AI could unearth siloed insights buried in local drives and shared folders, connecting dots across departments to solve systemic problems.

Magic Wand Fix: From "Constipated Dinosaurs" to Agile Service Providers

Dr. Pak’s dream AI solution? A system that anticipates needs, streamlines bureaucracy, and empowers staff—transforming higher ed into a responsive, adaptive ecosystem.

Listen Now to rethink how AI, interdisciplinary thinking, and cybernetic principles can reshape higher ed!

Find Dr Cabrini Pak Ph.D here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cabrinipak/

The Catholic University of America

https://www.catholic.edu/

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 42 - Ashley Budd: Beyond the Inbox, Rethinking Alumni Engagement Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ashley Budd, Director of Digital Marketing at Cornell University, to explore the evolving landscape of university marketing and alumni engagement.

With over a decade of experience at Cornell, Ashley shares insights into how digital innovation has transformed alumni outreach, the surprising power of email in fundraising, and the delicate balance between personalization and relevance. From her new book Mailed It to Cornell’s bold advocacy campaigns, Ashley offers actionable strategies for higher ed professionals looking to modernize their approach.

Tune in for a conversation packed with practical advice, surprising lessons, and a glimpse into the future of higher ed marketing.

Key Takeaways:

Digital Alumni Engagement is the Future

Cornell’s early investment in digital teams (e.g., social media, email specialists) set a precedent for meeting alumni where they are—online.
Alumni engagement now requires a hybrid approach, blending digital and in-person strategies to cater to millennials and Gen Z.

Email is a Powerhouse Channel

Email often outperforms other channels in fundraising and engagement when done strategically.
Avoid hyper-personalization; focus on relevance and timing for broader segments.

Direct Mail Isn’t Dead—It’s Evolving

Physical mail can feel special in an era of digital noise, but data accuracy (e.g., correct salutations) is critical to avoid alienating recipients.
Reserve premium mail (e.g., alumni magazines) for high-value audiences due to rising production costs.

AI’s Role in Fundraising

AI can help identify giving opportunities and simplify complex donor outreach, but human judgment is still essential for authentic connections.

Advocacy Campaigns Require Agility

Cornell’s rapid-response advocacy campaign (launched in under two weeks) demonstrates how universities can mobilize alumni during crises.

Collaboration Over Perfection

To push innovation forward in higher ed, present ideas with evidence, include skeptics in discussions, and let neutral parties drive consensus.

Toolkits > Tech Stacks

The biggest barrier to effective marketing isn’t creativity—it’s workflows and approval processes. Teams need playbooks to streamline execution.

Featured Resource: Ashley’s book Mailed It (emailbook.co) and her free custom GPT for writing effective emails.

Listen Now to learn how to future-proof your institution’s marketing and engagement strategies!

Find Ashley Budd here:

Website

https://ashleybudd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleybudd/

Cornell University

http://cornell.edu/

Find Mailed It here:

https://emailbook.co/buy-the-book

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 41 - Sana Remekie: Orchestrating the Future - What Higher Ed Can Learn from Composable Architecture Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Sana Remekie, CEO of Conscia and a pioneer in composable digital experiences, to explore how universities can break free from legacy systems and embrace AI-driven agility. From her roots in enterprise search architecture to building Conscia’s "DXGraph" for unified data, Sana reveals why higher ed must adopt omni-channel strategies—or risk becoming invisible to AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT.

Discover how digital experience orchestration bridges siloed CMS platforms, why personalization goes beyond "Hello, [Name]," and how agentic AI will redefine student interactions—both on and off your website

The Multi-to-Multi Problem: Universities juggle legacy systems, composable tools, and countless touchpoints—orchestration layers unify them without costly migrations.
AI’s Offsite Threat: If ChatGPT can’t crawl your structured content, prospective students may never find you.
Beyond the Website: Conversational interfaces (like onsite chatbots) are now mandatory—users expect ChatGPT-style interactions everywhere.
Personalization ≠ Just Names: Real-time intent detection (via LLMs) lets schools dynamically reshape content for admissions seekers, researchers, or donors.
Start Small, Abstract Legacy: Use batch data feeds to build APIs over clunky systems—no "boil the ocean" required.
Agentic AI is Non-Negotiable: Third-party AI (ChatGPT) and onsite chatbots will dominate how Gen Z engages with brands—including universities.

Listen now to future-proof your institution’s digital strategy—before AI reshapes the enrollment landscape.

Find Sana Remekie here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sana-remekie/

Conscia

https://www.conscia.ai/

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 40 - Corey Reed: From Hotels to Horned Frogs: Lessons in Scalable Web Management Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon chats with Corey Reed, Director of Web Management at TCU, about bridging the gap between marketing and IT in higher ed’s digital landscape.

From his early days designing Flash websites (RIP) to leading TCU’s search optimization and accessibility efforts, Corey shares how his hospitality tech background translates to campus—and why AI-powered analytics are revolutionizing content strategy.

Discover how TCU tackles "content sprawl," balances innovation with legacy systems, and prepares for a future where generative AI reshapes student search behavior.

Key Takeaways

From Flash to Future: Corey’s graphic design roots taught him to adapt—now he’s applying that flexibility to AI’s rapid evolution in higher ed.
Marketing-Led Web Teams: Why embedding web leadership in marketing (not IT) accelerates decision-making and aligns with institutional goals.
AI as an Analytics Powerhouse: Tools like AI-enhanced search analytics help small teams "do more with less" by spotting trends faster.
Content Sprawl Solutions: Weekly crawlers + workshops keep TCU’s 10K+ pages fresh, accessible, and student-focused.
The "Future You" Mindset: Building today’s tech stack to make future Corey’s job easier (thank you, past Corey!).
Accessibility as a Process: WCAG 2.2 readiness and remediation groups ensure compliance isn’t a one-time project.

Listen now for deep insights into balancing tradition and transformation—where AI meets accessibility and every pixel has purpose.

Find Corey Reed here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyreed/

Texas Christian University

https://tcu.edu/

EdTech Connect

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 39 - Dr. Bao Johri: Student Success by Design, Insights from a CSU CIO Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Bao Johri, CIO at Fresno State and 2025 Top Women Leader in Technology, to explore how universities can harness AI as a force for equity and transformation.

From launching Fresno State’s campus-wide AI initiative (with 60+ faculty collaborators) to mentoring the next generation of IT leaders, Bao shares how her research on Hmong American women informs her approach to inclusive tech leadership.

Discover how Fresno State is navigating AI governance, empowering first-gen students with tools like Grammarly, and preparing for the fall 2025 CIO’s AI Conversation Webinar Series—a platform to normalize AI in teaching and operations.

Key Takeaways

AI as a Strategic Partner: Fresno State’s AI initiative, co-led by faculty, has shifted from curiosity to demand—with 250+ attendees at their AI Immersion Day.
Governance with Guardrails: Faculty-driven committees established ethical guidelines for AI use, enabling responsible adoption (e.g., ChatGPT provisioning).
Student Success Beyond Metrics: Technology must remove barriers—like providing laptops or writing tools—to help first-gen students feel they belong.
Inclusive Leadership: Bao’s dissertation on Hmong women leaders shapes her mentorship, emphasizing cultural wealth and intergenerational support.
Budgeting for Impact: Prioritize projects tied to core goals (compliance, student success) through collaborative, data-informed decision-making.
The Human-AI Balance: “Tech supports your journey, but people help you through it”—Bao’s advice to students navigating AI and beyond.

Listen now for a lesson in leading AI initiatives with heart—where technology meets inclusion and transformation.

Find Dr Bao Johri here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bao-johri-396a0546/

Fresno State

https://www.fresnostate.edu/

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 38 - Jill Whitaker: Keeping 100 Editors in Sync Running a University Website Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jill Whitaker, Director of Web Services at Southern Utah University, to explore the evolving landscape of higher ed website management.

With 25 years of experience, Jill shares candid insights on balancing short-term fixes with long-term strategy (inspired by her half-marathon coaching!), wrangling 100+ content editors, and championing accessibility through empathy-driven tactics.

Discover how SUU’s centralized approach keeps their site student-focused, why "Don’t Make Me Think" remains a timeless mantra, and what AI’s rise means for the future of university web teams.

Key Takeaways

The Marathon Mindset: Website governance mirrors distance running—balance immediate tasks with long-term vision to avoid burnout or shortsighted decisions.
Student-Centric Design: SUU’s homepage prioritizes recruitment/retention, with internal content redirected to portals—a battle-tested strategy.
Accessibility as Empathy: Tools like Siteimprove help, but real change comes from humanizing compliance (e.g., revealing colleagues who rely on screen readers).
Federated Governance: A Google Group for 100+ CMS users replaces formal committees, fostering peer support and accountability.
AI’s Double-Edged Sword: Excited for code debugging but wary of zero-click searches scraping outdated content.
Future-Proof Teams: Web teams of 2027 will blend marketing savvy with technical literacy—no more "coders in the dark."

Listen now for a masterclass in keeping university websites human-centered—no matter how tech evolves.

Find Jill Whitaker here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillow/

SSU

https://suu.edu/

Recommended Reading:

Don’t Make Me think – Steve Krug

https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Me-Think-Usability/dp/0321344758

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

Ep. 37 - Jennie Wong: How AI Will Redefine Learning in the Next Decade May 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon chats with Jennie Wong, Global Director of Education at Slalom, about how universities can harness AI and data to drive strategic value. Jennie shares her innovative "car metaphor" framework for AI implementation, reveals surprising GenAI use cases, and explains why federated data models are the future for higher ed.

From overcoming institutional overwhelm to reimagining student engagement with e-commerce tactics, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders navigating the AI revolution.

Key Takeaways

The "Car Metaphor" Framework: AI is the engine, but you also need steering (functional expertise), integration (systems), and fuel (data) to reach strategic goals.
Start Small, Scale Fast: Focus on high-impact, low-complexity projects (e.g., A/B testing AI-enhanced fundraising emails) to demonstrate quick wins.
Federated Data Strategy: Centralize only what’s necessary (e.g., cloud contracts) and empower departments with domain-specific data ownership.
E-Commerce Lessons for Higher Ed: Apply tactics like "comeback campaigns" for stopout students and reduce application abandonment with behavioral design.
ROI Nuances in Higher Ed: Measure year-one success via efficiency gains (e.g., administrative workflows) and year-three via mission outcomes (e.g., persistence rates).
Agentic AI Future: Every campus role will blend human judgment with AI assistance—escalating complex/emotional tasks to people.

Chapter Headings with Time Stamps

(00:01) - Introduction: Meet Jennie Wong - From Organizational Communication to AI Strategy

(04:40) - Slalom’s Triple-Digit Growth: Personas and Partner Alignment

(06:30) - The "Car Metaphor": AI as an Engine, Not a Silver Bullet

(09:13) - Biggest Struggles: Simplifying Choices with Strategic Value Maps

(11:18) - Surprising GenAI Wins: Doubling Fundraising at UCLA

(13:16) - Data Strategy: Federated Models and Conversational AI

(15:38) - E-Commerce Tactics: Paradox of Choice and Comeback Campaigns

(18:39) - Measuring ROI: Efficiency vs. Mission Impact

(21:07) - Future of Campus Jobs: Humans + AI Collaboration

(22:47) - Jennie’s Inspiration: Learning from Entertainment and VR (ASU’s Dreamscape)

Listen now to rethink AI strategy—and turn data into measurable impact.