In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Graduate Residence Hall Coordinator Mckenzie Howard at Eastern Kentucky University will share what's proven to be best practices to provide ongoing care, taking the time to debrief, and creating a culture that prioritizes well-being after critical incidents for student staff. Howard developed a "Comprehensive Care Plan" that she and other co-workers have used throughout the academic year to maintain the standard of care that has been set for her department. Let's discuss!

ResEdChat Ep 163: Supporting Student Staff Well-Being with McKenzie Howard

What do Montenegro, Gen Z protests, and open educational resources have in common? According to Julia Sherwin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasherwin/], everything. In this episode, Dustin Ramsdell sits down with Julia—Executive Director of the Global Education Initiative [https://globalpost.com/education/] at Global Post Media [https://globalpost.com]—to explore why global literacy isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore. They unpack how free access to high-quality international journalism can transform classrooms, inspire student activism, and better prepare learners for a truly interconnected world.

This conversation is a must-listen for faculty who want to level up their teaching, institutions looking to champion open resources, and anyone passionate about empowering the next generation of globally competent citizens.

Guest Name: Julia Sherwin, Executive Director of the Global Education Initiative, GlobalPost Media

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

Guest Bio: Julia Sherwin is a communications professional and storyteller at heart, with experience across journalism, public relations and higher education. She is a former Philadelphia-area radio host, where she developed two highly engaging interview-style shows that each ran for five years. Julia was also an adjunct instructor in Temple University's Department of Journalism. Today, she is a PR consultant and the executive director of GlobalPost's Global Education Initiative. She loves connecting with like-minded professionals, students and educators, so please feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasherwin/].


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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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode #312: Empowering Students to Understand and Influence the World

In this episode of Roompact’s ResEdChat, Crystal is joined by her mentee, Leya Deickman, Associate Director of Residence Life at William & Mary, for an honest conversation about mentorship in housing and residence life. Together, they reflect on timing, expectations, boundaries, and accountability, encouraging listeners to think about how mentorship might support their own growth and leadership.

ResEdChat Ep 162: What Mentorship Can Look Like in Housing with Leya Deickman

In this premiere episode of the 2026 season, Dustin welcomes back Taran Lent [https://www.linkedin.com/in/taranlent/], now CTO of the soon to be rebranded Illumia [https://www.transactcampus.com/company/news-and-press/2025/12/03/transact---cbord-names-greg-brown-as-ceo--announces-rebrand-to-illumia] (formerly Transact + CBORD [https://www.transactcampus.com/transact-and-cbord]), for a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in higher ed. They dig into the rationale behind the rebrand, the creation of the Higher Ed Innovation Index [https://www.transactcampus.com/resources/research/innovation-index] report, and how institutions can sustainably modernize their operations while staying student-centric.

From embracing AI to fostering digital upskilling, Taran offers grounded advice from the frontlines of transformation—advice shaped by both internal change and direct collaboration with campuses nationwide.

Listen to Taran’s previous episode on the podcast here [https://www.enrollify.org/episodes/bonus-the-future-of-edtech-biometrics-ai-and-the-cloud]!

Guest Name: Taran Lent - CTO at Transact + CBORD

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

Guest Bio: Taran Lent has been building and operating payment technology companies his entire professional career. He is an accomplished entrepreneurial leader with experience in start-up, growth and public organizations. His specialty is forming and motivating high-performance teams to focus and execute on major new product ideas. Taran currently serves as CTO at Transact + CBORD.


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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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode #311: How Institutions Can Actually Win at Digital Transformation

A post-break reset for RAs focused on rebuilding momentum, re-establishing expectations, and reconnecting with residents after winter break, with Assistant Director Chasten Conway. This episode covers strategies for addressing burnout, re-engaging residents, and setting a strong tone for the semester ahead.

RA*Chat Ep 161: The Spring Reset: Re-Energizing Your Community After Break

In this first episode of the year, guest host Dustin Ramsdell speaks with Katie Munshaw to wrap up our episodes featuring the 2025 blogging team. They discuss how to lead with vulnerability and what makes it especially important when working in the residence halls. Katie shares reflections from her own life that have reinforced these lessons as well as encouragement for how others can find the right balance of how to do the same. Guest: Katie Munshaw (she/her) - Residence Director at Roosevelt University Host: Dustin Ramsdell, Independent Higher EdTech Content Creator

ResEdChat Ep 160: Advice for Leading with Vulnerability with Katie Munshaw

In this final episode of the year, guest host Dustin Ramsdell speaks with Tamarah Humphreys about making lateral moves in your career. She details the reasons why someone might make these sideways pivots, and what to expect when they might occur. Tamarah shares reflections of her own experience making these transitions, and gives advice for how best to navigate them. Guest: Tamarah Humphreys (she/her) - Community Director at University of St. Thomas Host: Dustin Ramsdell, Independent Higher EdTech Content Creator

ResEdChat Ep 159: Preparing for a Lateral Job Transition with Tamarah Humphreys

For this week's episode of ResEdChat, guest host Dustin Ramsdell chats with Alexis Karakas about her experience helping her student staff members understand the relevant skills they gain during their time serving the department, no matter what industry they pursue after graduation. Alexis also details her approach to this work, and what makes it so important. Guest: Alexis Karakas (she/her), Residential Living Coordinator, University of California - Irvine Host: Dustin Ramsdell, Independent Higher EdTech Content Creator

ResEdChat Ep 158: Helping RAs Develop Career Readiness with Alexis Karakas

In this final episode of the year, Dustin talked with Ruth Bauer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwhite1023/], President at InsideTrack [https://www.insidetrack.org], who shared how the organization’s new Coaching Lab is expanding access to coaching far beyond traditional college students. Ruth reflects on 12+ years of building human-centered, tech-supported student success systems and explores how flexible, scalable coaching can support everyone from GED earners to returning adult learners.

Guest Name: Ruth Bauer, President, InsideTrack

Guest Social: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwhite1023/]

Guest Bio: Ruth Bauer is a purpose-driven leader, executive, and lifelong learner who is currently serving as the President of InsideTrack, a student success coaching nonprofit that has served over 3.6 million learners since 2001.

Over the past two decades, she has devoted her career to education and personal development at every level -- from early childhood education to higher education and corporate learning and development. As a proud first-generation college student and public school mom, Ruth has seen the transformative potential of expanding educational opportunity in my own life, which sparked a lifelong passion for working at the intersection of education, social impact, and leadership.


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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 AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com [https://451.elmt.link/49ocwR8].


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode #310: How InsideTrack Is Expanding What Success Coaching Can Be

In this week's episode, guest host Dustin Ramsdell spoke with Madison Vasich, a current Roompact blogger from the University of Montana to get her reflections and advice on starting as a new professional staff member straight from completing her undergraduate degree. Madison also shares her experience moving to a new area for your first professional job and how best to acclimate to a campus environment.

ResEdChat Ep 157: Advice for Success in Early Career Positions with Madison Vasich

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.

The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

Dustin Ramsdell's Show

Roompact's ResEdChat is a variety show of presentations, interviews, and webinars on issues of importance to college and university residence life professionals. Learn about new trends in the field of residential education, innovations in student housing, and hear from some of the experts in our field. Join the conversation at #ResEdChat.

Dustin Ramsdell

Shows