Episodes

  • The Biggest Disconnect on Campus? What Students Want vs. What Colleges Think They Want
    Aug 22 2025

    In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon talks to Jarrett Smith, Senior VP of Strategy at Echo Delta and co-author of the groundbreaking Designing for Decisions report. Fresh from his eduWeb conference presentation, Jarrett dives into the eye-opening findings from their survey of over 1,000 prospective students, revealing what students actually want from college websites—and where institutions are missing the mark.

    From the overwhelming demand for cost transparency to the surprising similarities across student segments, Jarrett challenges common assumptions and shares actionable fixes for enrollment and marketing teams.

    Tune in to learn why payment plans are a hidden gem, how to avoid "institutionally centric" pitfalls, and why less personalization might be more effective than you think.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Cost Transparency is King:
    • Total cost of attendance emerged as the #1 priority across all student segments (traditional, non-traditional, graduate, and international).
    • Only 17% of students said they can always find what they need on college websites, with 55% admitting they’ve abandoned a site due to frustration.
    • Fix: Make cost information unmissable—avoid burying it under financial aid links or forcing students to manually calculate totals.
    Students Want Clarity, Not Jargon:
    • Institutional language (e.g., "bursar," "baccalaureate") and org-structure navigation create barriers.
    • Fix: Audit content for student-friendly terms and prioritize intuitive wayfinding (e.g., Missouri S&T’s program-specific cost breakdowns).
    Overestimated vs. Underestimated Priorities:
    • Overestimated: Program rankings, application deadlines, and "prestige" content.
    • Underestimated: Payment plans (a "hidden gem"), acceptance rates (critical for traditional undergrads), and student satisfaction metrics.
    Segment Similarities > Differences:
    • Despite assumptions, most student groups prioritize the same core tasks (e.g., cost, academic fit).
    • Exception: Traditional undergrads care significantly more about debt stats and confidence-building content (e.g., grad success stories).
    Simple Fixes for Immediate Impact:
    • Wayfinding: Ensure cost and program info is easy to find (e.g., UND.edu’s "Find Your Program Cost" form).
    • Content Hierarchy: Replace institutional jargon with student-centric language.
    • Research Shortcuts: Watching 5 students navigate your site reveals more than waiting for "perfect" data.
    AI’s Role in Future Research:
    • Synthetic user research (AI-generated personas) shows promise but isn’t yet reliable due to cultural biases in training data.
    • Heuristic analysis (e.g., usability audits) may benefit from AI—but human insight remains irreplaceable.

    Dig deeper: Download the full Designing for Decisions report at https://echodelta.co/designing-for-decisions/ and rethink how your website serves today’s students!

    Find Jarrett Smith here:

    LinkedIn

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

    Echo Delta

    https://echodelta.co/

    And find EdTech Connect here:

    Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - What Students Really Want From Their Campus Websites
    • (00:02:04) - The Need for User Research on Website Design
    • (00:03:35) - Interviewing 1,000 Prospective Students
    • (00:05:35) - The College Website Sprawl
    • (00:09:57) - Top Tasks: How to Personalize the Student Survey
    • (00:12:00) - A Word from Our Sponsor
    • (00:13:15) - Total Cost of Attendance
    • (00:17:28) - 3 Ways to Enhance Student Financial Aid
    • (00:21:10) - Surprising Differences between What Higher Ed Pros Think Students Want and What
    • (00:22:44) - What Do Traditional Students Care About Most?
    • (00:24:47) - What's your advice to schools paralyzed by internal debates over content hierarchy
    • (00:27:11) - What's one simple fix any school could make to its financial aid
    • (00:28:11) - Beyond Synthetic Research: Future of AI in the Learning Industry
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    32 mins
  • Making Small Colleges Love Their Student Information Systems
    Aug 15 2025

    Host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jennifer Beyer, VP of Product at Thesis, to explore the evolving landscape of student information systems (SIS) and the unique challenges faced by small to mid-sized colleges. With over two decades of experience spanning campus administration and EdTech leadership, Jennifer shares her mission to simplify higher education processes through cloud-based solutions.

    From her beginnings as a first-generation student and campus tour guide to her current role driving product strategy, Jennifer offers insights into how institutions can reduce friction, leverage technology, and prioritize the student experience. Tune in to learn how Thesis Elements is redefining the SIS space and why smaller schools are leading the charge in innovation.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Access and Student-Centric Design:
    • Jennifer emphasizes the importance of creating technology that helps students find the right fit and enables staff to focus on meaningful work. Her firsthand experience as a first-generation student informs her approach to solving institutional challenges at scale.
    The Shift to Cloud-Based SIS:
    • Smaller institutions are moving faster to adopt cloud solutions for scalability, security, and resource efficiency. Thesis Elements focuses on delivering purpose-built, modern SIS solutions that can be implemented in about a year—a fraction of the time required by legacy systems.
    Frictionless Processes:
    • Jennifer highlights the need for integrations, automation, and usability to reduce administrative burdens. For example, streamlining tasks like mass registrations or billing for student housing can significantly improve efficiency for understaffed offices.
    Lessons from Campus to EdTech:
    • Transitioning from frontline roles in admissions and student success to EdTech taught Jennifer the value of understanding user journeys. She advocates for "purpose-driven design" and engaging directly with campus teams to build solutions that address real pain points.
    The Future of Higher Ed Tech:
    • AI and partnerships with niche solutions present opportunities to enhance personalization and operational efficiency. However, Jennifer stresses the importance of balancing innovation with security and usability to avoid "shiny object" pitfalls.
    Leadership Philosophy:
    • Jennifer’s leadership style centers on curiosity, empowerment, and aligning technology with institutional mission. She believes in getting out of her team’s way to let them solve problems creatively while staying focused on serving smaller colleges effectively.
    Meaningful Change Takes Time:
    • For institutions driving transformation, Jennifer advises staying true to core goals and avoiding distractions. Incremental improvements—like reducing clicks in a workflow—can have an outsized impact on daily operations.

    Listen to the full episode for more insights on how EdTech is reshaping higher education administration!

    Find Jennifer Beyer here:

    LinkedIn

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

    Thesis

    https://www.thesiscloud.com/elements

    And find EdTech Connect here:

    Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - How AI is changing the way we learn about students
    • (00:00:44) - Jennifer Beyer on Higher Ed Tech Connect Podcast
    • (00:02:36) - How Ed Tech is reshaping the student experience
    • (00:03:45) - In the Elevator With First-Generation Students
    • (00:05:18) - CIO Network: The End-User Experience of Software
    • (00:07:22) - EdTech Connect: Making higher education processes friction
    • (00:10:11) - Small Colleges and Mid-Size Universities
    • (00:12:40) - Thesis Elements' Product Development Process
    • (00:18:17) - Post-Admissions: The Need for Personalization
    • (00:20:37) - Jeff Smith: The Process of Building a Product Team
    • (00:23:45) - President of Dean's School: Combining Business and Education
    • (00:26:19) - AI and its impact on higher ed administration
    • (00:27:18) - The move to the cloud and higher ed tech
    • (00:28:29) - What's Driving Meaningful Change in Higher Ed?
    • (00:29:36) - How to Write a Great Website for Students
    • (00:30:56) - EdTech Connect
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • The Creative Mind Behind Higher Ed’s Mobile Future
    Aug 8 2025

    In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eric Kim, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Modo Labs, to explore how mobile technology has reshaped higher ed—and where it’s headed next. From Modo’s origins at MIT (inspired by Kabuki stagehands!) to its global impact today, Eric shares how universities can break down silos, leverage AI, and design experiences students actually love.

    Hear how early adopters like Sacramento State pioneered mobile registration and food insecurity alerts, why personalization is no longer optional, and how TikTok-era expectations are forcing a rethink of campus apps. Eric also reveals why higher ed’s collaborative spirit hooked him for life, the surprising industries borrowing from campus tech, and his bold vision for AI-powered “conversational” interfaces.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. The “Kurogo” Philosophy
    • Modo’s original name and ethos come from Kabuki theater’s unseen stagehands—making the impossible seamless for users.
    Mobile’s Unfinished Revolution
    • Early wins (like Sac State’s parking heat maps) solved real pain points, but many schools still duct-tape siloed systems instead of unifying experiences.
    Personalization is Non-Negotiable
    • Students expect apps to adapt like TikTok: “They assume systems know everything—so they demand value in return.”
    AI’s Campus Potential
    • Modo’s AI chatbot drove 235% app usage spikes at Arkansas Pulaski by answering questions in natural language.
    What Higher Ed Can Learn from Banks
    • Major financial firms copied campus apps for employee experience—proof universities pioneered workplace tech.
    Hackathons = Hidden Insights
    • Student-built Modo tools (food truck trackers, mental health aids) reveal unmet needs.
    Digital Governance Paradox
    • Jeff’s confession: “Sometimes progress happens before policies catch up.”
    Advice for Leaders
    • “Measure engagement with life, not clicks. Did your app help someone’s day?”

    Listen Now for a masterclass in designing campus tech that students actually use!

    Find Eric Kim here:

    LinkedIn

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

    Modo Labs

    https://modolabs.com/

    And find EdTech Connect here:

    Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - What's the value of the App?
    • (00:00:35) - Interview: Eric Kim
    • (00:01:50) - Moto Labs: The Way of Mobile
    • (00:03:34) - In the Elevator With Facebook's Andrew Yu
    • (00:04:11) - Moto: Make Mobile Awesome for Everyone
    • (00:07:29) - What Can Tech Companies Learn From Serving Other Industries?
    • (00:08:56) - The Common Mistake in the Digital Experience
    • (00:10:08) - Moto Learning: The Creative Uses of the Platform
    • (00:13:30) - How to Build a Connected Future
    • (00:15:27) - University Apps for Personalization
    • (00:19:54) - What trends are you watching closely
    • (00:21:35) - What's Keeps You Connected to Higher Ed?
    • (00:25:07) - How to Design for Students, Faculty and Staff
    • (00:26:49) - How Moda is enabling multi-platform IT
    • (00:28:32) - How to Upgrade Your Digital Campus Experience
    • (00:29:54) - EdTech Connect
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Beyond the Funnel: How EMU is Rethinking Student Success
    Aug 1 2025

    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.

    1. 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:

    LinkedIn

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

    Eastern Michigan University

    http://emu.edu/

    And find EdTech Connect here:

    Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Meet Katie Condon
    • (00:01:59) - Enrollment Management: Small Institutions vs. Bigger Schools
    • (00:05:07) - Enrollment Management: Data-driven Decisions
    • (00:08:11) - What's one initiative you're most proud of?
    • (00:10:36) - Financial aid strategies evolve to meet shifting student demographics
    • (00:14:29) - Demographic cliff affecting schools
    • (00:18:06) - How to Personalize Student Enrollment with AI
    • (00:20:51) - How to Save Time by Reading Large Research Reports
    • (00:21:55) - Have Student Ambassadors Changed Your Leadership?
    • (00:26:26) - What's one area in enrollment or student success that feels broken?
    • (00:28:20) - Onboarding to a Vice President's Role
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • What If We Recruited Musicians Like We Do Athletes?
    Jul 25 2025

    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.

    1. 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:

    LinkedIn

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

    CommonTime Pathways

    https://www.ctpathways.com/

    And find EdTech Connect here:

    Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - EdTech Connect: The Need for Musicians
    • (00:01:13) - Introducing Eitan Wurman
    • (00:02:17) - Common Time Pathways: How to Get a Scholarship
    • (00:09:12) - Music's Key to More Human Society
    • (00:11:33) - What Is It About Music That Makes People So Empathetic?
    • (00:14:17) - There's 10,000 Hours of Mastery
    • (00:15:26) - Is it nearly impossible to have a career in Music?
    • (00:20:03) - Are college and career counseling practices failing to identify our kids?
    • (00:22:00) - Common Time Pathways: How to Get a Music Scholarship
    • (00:25:40) - What Does Success Look Like for Musicians?
    • (00:27:45) - How Is Music Tech Affecting the Community?
    • (00:29:47) - How to Start a Business With a Passion
    • (00:31:50) - Eitan on EdTech Connect
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Smart Consolidation: How Pathify Is Rewiring Campus Tech
    Jul 18 2025

    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.

    1. 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:

    LinkedIn

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

    Pathify

    https://pathify.com/

    And find EdTech Connect here:

    Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - EdTech Connect: Chase Williams
    • (00:02:00) - The University of Melbourne's Student Portal
    • (00:06:46) - How Student Engagement Hub is Preventing Digital Overload
    • (00:08:44) - How Colleges are transforming Student Engagement with Pathfi
    • (00:10:38) - What's been the most surprising piece of feedback from students using Path
    • (00:12:25) - How to Integrate With SIS, LMSS and VCSS
    • (00:15:51) - Top Higher Ed Tech Executives Discuss New Tech
    • (00:18:58) - How Do You Build a Remote Company Culture?
    • (00:20:47) - What early lessons have you learned from building Pathify?
    • (00:22:12) - WSJDLive: Vendor Partnerships for Higher Ed
    • (00:23:02) - What's the biggest lesson from your journey with Pathify?
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    25 mins
  • Dr. Cabrini Pak Breaks Down the Future of AI in Academia
    Jul 11 2025
    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 ProblemsInspired 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: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cabrinipak/ The Catholic University of America https://www.catholic.edu/ And find EdTech Connect here: Web: https://edtechconnect.com/ Chapters (00:00:00) - EdTech Connect: The Living Lab(00:00:45) - Meet Cabrini Pack, Professor of Business at The Catholic University(00:02:18) - Interdisciplinary perspectives in business, theology, and science(00:04:53) - Stigmergy in IT: Learning the Collective(00:06:59) - Top Executives on AI and the Learning Process(00:09:50) - The fight for AI in the classroom(00:12:47) - WSJD Live: Agentic AI for Higher Ed(00:14:08) - What's the Evolvement of Agentic AI?(00:16:51) - What's the Real Opportunity of Bots on Campus Websites?(00:19:40) - What are the Error Rates for AI-enabled Applications?(00:23:15) - Are Student Admissions Bots Good for Advice?(00:24:57) - What Could Higher Ed Learn From the Private Sector?(00:26:17) - What is the most underrated use case for AI in a university setting(00:27:27) - What would one AI- solution for every university?(00:29:31) - EdTech Connect
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    30 mins
  • Beyond the Inbox: How Ashley Budd is Rethinking Alumni Engagement
    Jul 4 2025

    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:

    1. 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/

    LinkedIn

    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/

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Ashley Budd on Higher Ed Marketing
    • (00:01:30) - Senior Vice President for Advancement at Cornell University Discusses Alumni
    • (00:04:47) - Do your colleagues feel like they're from the future?
    • (00:05:39) - Mailed It: The Social Media Strategy Book
    • (00:09:28) - Donor Experience in Direct Mail
    • (00:14:16) - What advice would you give to university fundraising communications
    • (00:19:54) - Personalization in U.S. email
    • (00:22:52) - Tell the Story of Higher Ed
    • (00:24:40) - An Alumni Advocacy Campaign
    • (00:26:53) - If You Had a Magic Wand
    • (00:28:22) - EdTech Connect
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    29 mins