In this week’s episode, Dustin chats with Jennifer Lonchar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlonchar], co-founder of AmbioEDU [https://ambioedu.com/] and higher ed marketing veteran, about the future of enrollment marketing—spoiler alert: it's already in your living room. Jennifer breaks down why performance TV (think streaming ads with measurable ROI) isn’t just the “next big thing”—it’s the now big thing. From her early days at Carnegie to launching AmbioEDU, she shares how she’s building smarter, AI-backed streaming strategies that finally make TV work for higher ed. Plus, a sneak peek into what makes the eduWeb Summit [https://www.eduwebsummit.com/] different and why it’s a must-attend this year.

Guest Name: Jennifer Lonchar, Co-Founder, AmbioEdu

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlonchar/]

Guest Bio: Jennifer Lonchar brings almost two decades of expertise in higher education to her leadership of AmbioEdu, having worked in various roles focused on strategic enrollment and marketing. For over 13 years she worked for Carnegie, and was instrumental in bringing digital marketing to higher education. Her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector has made her a sought-after leader in developing innovative solutions for enrollment and student engagement. 

Driven by a passion for enhancing the student experience and optimizing recruitment strategies, Jennifer co-founded AmbioEdu in 2023. This venture reflects her commitment to transforming higher education marketing through advanced technologies, including Performance TV and integrated digital solutions. AmbioEdu, under her leadership, harnesses cutting-edge tools to help universities connect with prospective students more effectively and efficiently, setting new standards in the field.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #282: Rethinking Your Enrollment Marketing Strategy with Performance TV Ads

In this episode recorded live from Transact 360 [https://www.transactcampus.com/company/transact-360], Dustin sits down with Mike Maxsenti [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesequr/], SVP of Product at Genea [https://www.getgenea.com/], to explore how higher ed is embracing digital transformation—specifically in the world of campus security. They unpack how mobile credentials, cloud-based access systems, and IoT sensors are changing what it means to create a safe, smart, and student-friendly campus.

From eliminating tailgating to managing dynamic commuter access, this conversation goes beyond buzzwords and surfaces actionable ideas for campus leaders ready to upgrade their infrastructure and student experience.

Guest Name: Mike Maxsenti, SVP of Product, Genea

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesequr/]

Guest Bio: Mike Maxsenti is the Senior Vice President of Product at Genea, where he leads the product organization. As the co-founder of Sequr Access Control, acquired by Genea in 2019, Maxsenti leverages his expertise to drive customer-centric innovation, helping enterprise companies and commercial properties enhance security, efficiency, and user experience.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #281: How Digital Credentials Are Reshaping Campus Security

In this week’s episode, Dustin sits down with Kathleen deLaski [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-delaski-1089012b/] — author of Who Needs College Anymore? [https://www.whoneedscollegeanymore.org/] — to explore why the traditional four-year degree is no longer the only path to career success. Kathleen shares insights from her research on alternative learning models, highlights innovative colleges embracing change, and lays out a vision for an experience-first approach to higher ed. They tackle everything from AI’s impact on entry-level jobs to the urgent need for affordability and new credentialing systems.

Guest Name: Kathleen deLaski - Founder & Board Chair at Education Design Lab

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-delaski-1089012b/]

Guest Bio: Kathleen deLaski is an education and workforce designer, as well as an author. She founded the Education Design Lab in 2013 to help colleges begin the journey to reimagine higher education toward the future of work. Her nonprofit has helped 1,200 colleges, orgs and economic regions design shorter, more affordable pathways for learners to achieve their economic goals. Stepping down after a decade as CEO of the Lab, Kathleen serves as board chair there and on the board of Credential Engine. She spends time as a senior advisor to the Project on Workforce at Harvard University and teaches human-centered design and higher ed reform as an adjunct professor in the Honors College at George Mason University, where she also served as an appointee to the Board of Visitors. Kathleen has long played a dual role as a philanthropist, managing the deLaski Family Foundation, which has been a 25-year grant maker in education reform, well-being, sustainable agriculture, and the arts.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #280: The Experience-First College Model Every Leader Should Know

In this special bonus episode, Dustin sits down with Dr. Chris Lewis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherlewis/], Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan-Flint, to unpack how creating strategic content like podcasts can serve as a dynamic enrollment and marketing tool in higher ed. Chris shares his multi-decade journey through higher education, his love for storytelling, and how he’s turned personal content-creation skills into professional wins. With the eduWeb Summit [https://www.eduwebsummit.com/] just around the corner, Chris also offers a preview of his upcoming talk and some candid truths about what it really takes to make podcasting work for institutions.

Guest Name: Dr. Christopher Lewis, Director of Graduate Programs, University of Michigan-Flint

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherlewis/]

Guest Bio: Dr. Lewis currently serves as the Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan- Flint, where he has successfully increased enrollment, revitalized graduate admissions policies, and enhanced student engagement through innovative initiatives, including the creation of the Victors in Grad School and Law School Insider podcasts. His leadership extends beyond administration — he is a thought leader committed to elevating the graduate student experience. Dr. Lewis has held pivotal roles at institutions such as Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc, and Grand Valley State University. His expertise spans student services, enrollment management, strategic planning, and digital engagement—always with a focus on student success, equity, and access.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

BONUS: Anticipating the eduWeb Summit & How Strategic Storytelling Can Move the Enrollment Needle

In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU [https://www.sxswedu.com/], Dustin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell] speaks with Ana Homayoun [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-homayoun-4783863/], executive functioning expert, author, and founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting and Luminaria Learning. Ana has spent 25 years helping students develop the organization, planning, and adaptability skills they need to thrive in school, work, and life. She explains why higher ed institutions must start teaching executive functioning skills, how this can boost retention and student well-being, and why these abilities are just as critical as technical knowledge for career success.

Guest Name: Ana Homayoun - Author, Nonprofit Executive, & Independent Academic Advisor

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-homayoun-4783863/]

Guest Bio: Ana Homayoun is a noted author, academic advisor, and early career development strategist. Her work focuses on helping students develop executive functioning skills in today's technology and social media world. Her latest book, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions [https://anahomayoun.com/erasing-the-finish-line/], underscores the fundamental skills needed for academic success, emotional well-being and long-term workforce development. 

Ana is the founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting [http://www.greenivyed.com/], a Silicon Valley-based academic advising firm that helps students, parents and educators with crucial executive function and life-management skills. She is also the founder and executive director of Luminaria Learning Solutions [http://www.luminarialearning.org/], a non-profit initiative developing the Life Navigator School Advisory Program, an executive function skills curriculum rooted in social and emotional well-being that aims to prepare students for success in and outside of the classroom.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #279: The Secret to Student Success - Why Executive Functioning Skills Matter

In this episode, Dustin Ramsdell sits down with Scott Anderberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottanderberg/], CEO at Moodle [https://moodle.org/], for a deep conversation on why open source matters more than ever in higher education. Scott shares how Moodle’s global reach, customizable architecture, and vibrant community are shaping more inclusive, creative, and scalable learning experiences. Plus, the duo gets real about AI’s potential—not as a threat, but as a tool to help educators and learners thrive.

Guest Name: Scott Anderberg, CEO, Moodle

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottanderberg/]

Guest Bio: Scott Anderberg has dedicated his career to supporting universities around the world to develop and deliver better educational experiences online. 

He started this journey in the USA at the eCollege help desk, directly supporting educators and students in their teaching and learning activities and was instrumental in their product, sales and account management functions. Following the acquisition of eCollege by Pearson, Scott spent 15 years in roles spanning from market development across EMEA to establishing and launching Pearson’s Online Program Management business in Australia and leading Pearson’s Online Learning Services business in markets outside of North America.

Scott joined Moodle in February 2024 to replace Moodle Founder Martin Dougiamas, who after 24 years as CEO, announced his transition to Head of Research. Scott is incredibly excited to be joining the Moodle community to continue to enable Moodle's impact for educators and students around the world.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #278: Open Source, Global Access, and the Power of the Moodle Community

In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU [https://www.sxswedu.com/], Dustin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell] speaks with Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryolandawatsonspiva/], President of Complete College America [https://completecollege.org/] (CCA), a national advocacy organization dedicated to helping more students access, persist, and graduate from college on time. Yolanda shares CCA’s systems-level approach to student success, the importance of transfer-friendly policies, and how institutions must shift from being college-ready to student-ready. She also discusses CCA’s Council on Equitable AI [https://completecollege.org/complete-college-america-council-on-equitable-ai/] and how AI can support, rather than hinder, student success. If you're passionate about higher ed reform, retention, and equity, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Guest Name: Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva - President at Complete College America

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryolandawatsonspiva/]

Guest Bio: Dr. Watson Spiva’s 25+ year career in postsecondary education spans a range of executive leadership, general management, federal government, public affairs, operations and academic officer positions. Dr. Watson Spiva serves as the President of Complete College America (CCA). Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, CCA is a bold national advocate for dramatically increasing college completion rates and closing equity gaps by working with states, systems, institutions, and partners to scale highly effective structural reforms and promote policies that improve student success. CCA has become a national leader in the movement to dramatically increase the percentage of individuals earning a postsecondary credential. Complete College America is organized as an Alliance of 53 (and growing) states, territories, and higher education consortia where executives have committed to ambitious goals of increasing college completion rates, tracking progress toward their goals and implementing a set of evidence-based practices or “Game Changers” that have proven to dramatically increase college completion rates.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #277: The Road to 100% College Completion - A Bold Vision for Higher Ed

In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU [https://www.sxswedu.com/], Dustin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell] speaks with Diego Arambula [https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-arambula/], Vice President of Educational Transformation at the Carnegie Foundation [https://www.carnegiefoundation.org/]. Diego discusses how higher education must evolve to remain a powerful engine for economic opportunity — especially for students who are furthest from it. He unpacks the need to rethink degree structures, the role of digital transformation, and how institutions can better prepare students for career success. Tune in to hear how the Carnegie Foundation is leading efforts to reshape college classifications and workforce connections for the next generation of learners.

Guest Name: Diego Arambula - Vice President of Educational Transformation, Carnegie Foundation

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-arambula/]

Guest Bio: Diego Arambula is vice president for educational transformation at the Carnegie Foundation. As vice president, Diego leads ambitious, actionable strategies and builds partnerships with educators, policy makers, parents, employers and community based organizations to advance Carnegie’s mission. 

Diego exercises his passion for transformational change in education through his positions on multiple boards. In 2020, he was appointed to an 8-year term as trustee for the California State University System, the largest and most diverse postsecondary system in the nation. At CSU, he serves as chair of the Education Policy Committee. He also serves as board chair of Summit Public Schools and the Central Valley Community Foundation. He received his bachelor’s (A.B.) in government from Harvard University and a master’s in education from Stanford University.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #276: The Next 50 Years of Higher Ed - What Leaders Need to Know

In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU [https://www.sxswedu.com/], Dustin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell] speaks with Halley Hoot [https://www.linkedin.com/in/halley-campbell-hoot-38623b40/] from Summer Discovery [https://www.summerdiscovery.com/]. Halley shares how her team partners with top universities to offer transformative summer learning experiences for students as young as first grade through high school. She discusses how these programs not only expose students to college-level academics but also help them develop critical life skills and career clarity. Tune in to hear how experiential learning, AI-driven courses, and global education trends are shaping the future of pre-college programs.

Guest Name: Halley Hoot, Director of Domestic Recruitment & Customer Success at Summer Discovery

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/halley-campbell-hoot-38623b40/]

Guest Bio: Halley Hoot is the Director of Domestic Recruitment & Customer Success at Summer Discovery where she leads a team of professionals who are dedicated to providing superior pre-college programs for middle and high school students. Halley aids in developing students for the 21st century and teaching transferable skills coveted by employers and university admissions teams.

In addition Halley is also passionate about supporting the development of gifted, academically talented, and creative students through Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG). At SIG, she helps with summer programs emphasizing developing the whole person and using a STEAM+ curriculum, to let students explore their interests and passions. Halley holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Fashion Merchandising from LIM College.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Episode #275: The Power of Pre-College Programs - Why Summer Learning Matters

What does it look like when faculty lead the charge in building AI-powered learning tools—without losing their human-centered roots? In this live episode from the AI Show at the ASU+GSV Summit [https://www.asugsvsummit.com/show], Dustin speaks with UCLA professor Dr. Zrinka Stahuljak and PhD candidate Elizabeth Landers about their work developing a first-of-its-kind AI-assisted, human-guided textbook for a large general education class.

But this isn’t about replacing faculty—it’s about freeing them up. Freeing up time for deeper conversations. For more feedback. For actual teaching. You’ll hear how they partnered with Kudu [https://kudu.com/] to build an integrated learning experience that enhances accessibility, strengthens writing instruction, and makes space for meaningful, student-centered engagement.


- - - -

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

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network [https://podcasts.enrollify.org/]. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

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 [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Live at the AI Show: Building the Next-Gen AI-Enhanced College Textbook at UCLA

This show will be exploring all of the nuances of higher education with a focus
on innovative technology and practices from professionals all across the
country. Hosted by Dustin Ramsdell.

Dustin Ramsdell

Shows