With more than 600,000 downloads, The Signal is the podcast for higher education’s innovative leaders. Hosted by Jeff Dillon, The Signal cuts through the noise to bring you the strategic insights needed to reshape how institutions recruit, support, and retain students. Every Friday, I talk to the practitioners and technology builders who are actively defining the next decade of campus life. Why Higher Ed Leaders Listen: In one of the most consequential periods for academia, we move past the hype to focus on Human-Centered Innovation. Our episodes feature deep-dive interviews with guest experts focusing on the "real work" of institutional ev...
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Nov 13, 2026 · 31:04
In this week’s episode, Jeff Dillon sits down with Chris Meador, an AI coach and founder of Yes & Thinking, whose approach to AI adoption starts with people, not prompts. Chris…
Nov 6, 2026 · 31:47
What happens when your website's most important visitor isn't a person—but an AI agent? In this episode, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Kyle Fondren, Executive Director of…
Oct 30, 2026 · 30:08
What does a historian trained in medieval manuscripts know about SEO and generative engine optimization? More than you might think. In this episode, host Jeff Dillon sits down…
Oct 23, 2026 · 34:24
Jeff Dillon welcomes back Eytan Wurman, founder and CEO of CommonTime Pathways—the recruiting platform built on a simple, disruptive idea: creatives deserve the same recruiting…
Oct 16, 2026 · 23:58
In this episode, host Jeff Dillon welcomes Melanie Moran, Vice President and Senior Strategist at Mackey Strategies, who spent nearly two decades at Vanderbilt University—rising…
Oct 9, 2026 · 31:10
What if the reason your enrollment strategy keeps stalling has nothing to do with the plan—and everything to do with the culture? In this episode, host Jeff Dillon sits down with…
Oct 2, 2026 · 31:24
What if the biggest problem in higher ed marketing isn't technology, budget, or even strategy—but the fact that we assume students make rational decisions when they're actually…
Sep 25, 2026 · 31:05
What happens when a veteran TV writer—whose credits include The Wonder Years , Dawson's Creek , and Disney's Tarzan —decides to build a film school inside North America's largest…
Sep 18, 2026 · 24:37
What if the real crisis AI has exposed in higher education isn't student dishonesty, but the fact that we've been treating final papers as evidence of thinking—when AI can now…
Sep 11, 2026 · 31:34
Jeff talks to Raffi DerSimonian, VP and Chief Strategy Officer at ERI, a digital agency that has been building for colleges and universities since 2005. Raffi came up on the…
Sep 4, 2026 · 32:20
Jeff Dillon talks to Jenny Petty, Vice President of Industry Relations and Advisory Services at Simpson Scarborough, who has spent over a decade inside higher ed—most recently as…
Aug 28, 2026 · 31:16
What if the best measure of an insurance company's success isn't how many claims it denies, but how many it pays—and how many of those students re-enroll? In this episode, host…
Aug 21, 2026 · 33:09
In a world drowning in AI hype, how do you separate what's actually useful from what's just shiny? And what happens when the people building AI can't even agree on where it's…
Aug 14, 2026 · 28:28
In this episode—the 100th recording of The Signal—host Jeff Dillon sits down with Wendy Wong, Director of Enterprise Support and Client Engagement at Florida Atlantic University,…
Aug 7, 2026 · 31:39
What happens when an enrollment marketing agency that's been at it for 20 years looks back and realizes their biggest lesson wasn't about campaigns—it was about finding the right…
Jul 31, 2026 · 30:22
What happens when a prospective student asks ChatGPT for the best computer science program in the Midwest—and gets a complete answer without ever clicking on your website? For…
Jul 24, 2026 · 32:46
Every CIO I talk to wants to know how to get AI ready. But according to Russell Long, co-founder and CEO of Authentica Solutions, most institutions are asking the wrong question.…
Jul 17, 2026 · 34:09
Transfer credit is one of higher ed's most persistent headaches. Students lose credits, take longer to graduate, and navigate a labyrinth of institutional policies that often…
Jul 10, 2026 · 32:42
What if a college degree required not just passing classes—but launching a real business? In this episode, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jeff Meade, Founding Director of…
Jul 3, 2026 · 31:23
What if the biggest barrier to enrollment growth isn't your marketing budget—but your program portfolio itself? In this episode, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Elysia Labita,…
Jun 26, 2026 · 33:59
What if the biggest barrier to student success isn't ability—but the belief that effort is even worth it? In this episode, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dave Tucker, founder…
Jun 19, 2026 · 31:37
Your traffic is down. Your inquiries are flattening. But your applications haven't dropped. What's happening? The front door just moved—and most higher ed marketers haven't…
Jun 12, 2026 · 31:34
After nearly 20 years watching colleges pour millions into sameness—the same viewbooks, the same home page videos, the same taglines—Mallory Willsea has a message for higher ed:…
Jun 5, 2026 · 30:36
What happens when a recent college graduate who grew up with smartphones, social media, and the chaos of modern college applications becomes a chief marketing officer? You get a…
May 29, 2026 · 31:49
Every month, nearly half a million people type questions into your university's search bar. They're telling you exactly what they want to know—about deadlines, transfer credits,…
May 22, 2026 · 30:08
What happens when a prestigious art and design school has over a hundred siloed websites, each with its own content management system, hosting arrangement, and visual…
May 15, 2026 · 35:46
What happens when a sitting vice president of enrollment management—who evaluates and buys ed tech every day—decides to build his own solution to a problem he's lived for 15…
May 8, 2026 · 31:20
What happens when a data scientist who built over 100 enterprise AI solutions for Fortune 500 companies decides to walk away from the money and prestige to tackle student success…
May 1, 2026 · 30:27
What happens when a former gubernatorial candidate, healthcare CEO, and state budget director steps into the college president's office? You get a leader who doesn't accept…
Apr 24, 2026 · 28:59
Is higher education using AI to simply do the same things faster, or are we on the cusp of a genuine transformation in how students learn, access support, and build opportunity?…
Apr 17, 2026 · 28:39
In an era where students trust a peer on Instagram more than a university's official website, how can enrollment marketers cut through the noise and build genuine connections?…
Apr 10, 2026 · 29:06
Jaime Hunt is the founder of Solve Higher Ed and host of the popular “Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO” podcast. She unpacks the evolving landscape of higher education marketing.…
Apr 3, 2026 · 27:47
Join Jeff Dillon as he sits down with Devin Pergason, AVP for Student Experience, Marketing & Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College, to dissect the evolving landscape…
Mar 27, 2026 · 6:00
“The Signal” is launching with a vital mission: to cut through the overwhelming noise surrounding technology in higher education and deliver honest conversations about what truly…
Mar 20, 2026 · 31:40
In a higher ed landscape crowded with sameness, how can institutions truly stand out and drive enrollment growth, especially for graduate and professional programs? This week on…
Mar 13, 2026 · 25:14
Jeff Dillon sits down with Shannon Vander Meulen, Co-Founder and CMO of WaitWell, a tech platform transforming how students access campus services—from advising to financial aid.…
Mar 6, 2026 · 25:16
Stephen Laster is the CEO of Panopto and a veteran leader in digital education whose career spans Harvard Business School, McGraw-Hill, D2L, and Ellucian. Stephen shares how his…
Feb 27, 2026 · 21:50
Fiona’s journey is anything but conventional: from clinical audiologist and university instructor to scaling a global edtech startup used by over 30,000 students at institutions…
Feb 20, 2026 · 33:02
Tawnya Means, Founding Partner and Principal at Inspire Higher Ed, talks about how institutions can navigate the rapid shifts in technology without losing the human heart of…
Feb 13, 2026 · 32:17
Charity Stutzman, Senior Director of Higher Education Strategy at Vector Solutions, unpacks the groundbreaking findings from the latest Campus Prevention Network National…
Feb 6, 2026 · 29:23
Ben Tasker, an expert in AI, workforce readiness and skills-based learning, shares his unique journey from higher education to industry, exploring how AI is reshaping learning…
Jan 30, 2026 · 31:38
Jeff Dillon sits down with Michelle Craig, Director of Marketing and Commercial Operations at AppsAnywhere, to explore the seismic shifts happening in higher education as…
Jan 23, 2026 · 24:05
Jen Jenkins, Director of Digital Experience at Western Governors University, brings a unique background that spans theater arts, healthcare content strategy, and higher ed—all…
Jan 16, 2026 · 33:28
In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Sharon Harrison, CMO at Gravyty, to explore the dramatic evolution of AI in higher education. Sharon, who…
Jan 9, 2026 · 24:21
In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Gerry White, an award-winning educator and Dean of Academic Technology at ECPI University whose career defies…
Jan 2, 2026 · 28:50
France Hoang, a former White House Counsel, Army Special Forces veteran, and now the co-founder and CEO of Boodlebox, brings a unique perspective forged by a lifetime of service…
Dec 26, 2025 · 31:29
This week on EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Erin Callihan, AVP of Strategic Marketing at NYU and a powerhouse who blends law, design, and deep tech strategy.…
Dec 19, 2025 · 27:44
Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Christy Heid, a Nursing Simulation Specialist at UbiSim. They tackle a critical issue revealed by UbiSim’s recent report: 65% of hospital leaders…
Dec 12, 2025 · 29:11
In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with digital marketing pioneer Jim Sterne, a professional explainer who has been at the forefront of every major…
Dec 5, 2025 · 29:14
Jeff Dillon and Mariah Tang dive deep into the philosophy that content marketing is more about people than platforms. Mariah explains the critical mindset shift marketers need to…
Nov 28, 2025 · 33:26
From her roots as a struggling student and president of the Cal State Student Association to her current role as a Higher Education Consultant at Canva, Mia Healy shares her…
Nov 21, 2025 · 25:08
In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Faton Sopa, the co-founder and CEO of Manaferra, to unravel how the prospective student journey has been…
Nov 14, 2025 · 29:31
How can universities create a seamless, safe, and connected experience that meets the soaring expectations of today's students? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff…
Nov 7, 2025 · 21:36
Why is coordinating family dinner surprisingly similar to managing complex university processes? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ricardo…
Oct 31, 2025 · 31:20
What does training for one of the world's hardest Ironman races have in common with leading AI transformation in business education? Host Jeff Dillon sits down with Matt Seitz,…
Oct 24, 2025 · 32:59
How can universities overcome their unique challenges to create amazing digital experiences in an AI-driven world? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down…
Oct 17, 2025 · 26:47
What does it take to create digital learning that is truly for everyone ? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dipesh Jain, Vice President of…
Oct 10, 2025 · 29:15
Student interest in studying abroad is at an all-time high, but so are the challenges of cost, safety, and accessibility. In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits…
Oct 3, 2025 · 34:31
How can universities break free from outdated systems and siloed data to create a seamless, modern experience for students and staff? In this episode of Edtech Connect, host Jeff…
Sep 26, 2025 · 28:58
Join host Jeff Dillon for a conversation with Jenny Li Fowler, the Director of Social Media Strategy at MIT. In this episode, Jenny pulls back the curtain on what it's really…
Sep 19, 2025 · 29:21
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Melanie Lindahl, Senior UX Designer at UT Austin and winner of the Red Stapler Award for her groundbreaking…
Sep 12, 2025 · 33:31
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Ethan Braden, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Texas A&M University—and the Content Marketer of…
Sep 5, 2025 · 30:03
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jenny Leigh Morris, a technology strategist at Doctums who bridges the worlds of Fortune 100 innovation and…
Aug 29, 2025 · 25:15
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Emily Chase Coleman, CEO and co-founder of HAI Analytics, to explore how data is reshaping higher education…
Aug 22, 2025 · 31:59
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…
Aug 15, 2025 · 31:42
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…
Aug 8, 2025 · 30:41
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…
Aug 1, 2025 · 30:29
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…
Jul 25, 2025 · 33:27
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…
Jul 18, 2025 · 24:58
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…
Jul 11, 2025 · 30:16
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…
Jul 4, 2025 · 29:07
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…
Jun 27, 2025 · 28:32
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…
Jun 20, 2025 · 31:08
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…
Jun 13, 2025 · 26:28
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…
Jun 6, 2025 · 30:13
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…
May 30, 2025 · 25:33
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…
May 23, 2025 · 30:51
In this episode of Edtech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Alexander "Sasha" Sidorkin, Chief AI Officer at Sacramento State University, to explore the transformative…
May 16, 2025 · 28:38
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Gemma Garcia, Executive Director of Learning Technology at Arizona State University, to explore how ASU is…
May 9, 2025 · 30:13
In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Brian Piper, Director of Content Strategy at the University of Rochester and author of Epic Content Marketing…
May 2, 2025 · 31:53
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jennifer Lonchar, founder of AmbioEdu, to explore how streaming TV is revolutionizing higher ed marketing.…
Apr 25, 2025 · 32:04
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Lee Rainie, Director of Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, to explore the transformative…
Apr 18, 2025 · 29:52
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Jeff Rubenstein , Chief Product Officer at doowii and a seasoned leader in educational technology with…
Apr 11, 2025 · 31:10
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Saugata Chatterjee , an AI and machine learning expert with a background in theoretical physics and corporate…
Apr 4, 2025 · 27:40
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Will Noble , an expert in digital content solutions and SaaS sales, to explore the challenges and…
Mar 28, 2025 · 32:08
In this episode of EdTech Connect , host Jeff Dillon sits down with Georgy Cohen , Vice President of Digital Strategy at OHO Interactive. With nearly two decades of experience in…
Mar 21, 2025 · 33:53
Jeff Dillon sits down with Phil Hill, a prominent figure in the EdTech consulting world. Phil shares his journey from starting out in EdTech consulting nearly 25 years ago to…
Mar 14, 2025 · 27:13
Join us for a conversation with Kimberly Verstandig, Vice President for Fundraising and Senior Strategist at Mackey Strategies, as she shares her wealth of experience in higher…
Mar 7, 2025 · 28:41
In this episode, we sit down with Maya Demishkovich, a seasoned higher education marketing strategist, to explore the rapidly changing world of digital marketing and student…
Feb 28, 2025 · 29:41
In this episode, Jeff Dillon sits down with Cheryl Broom, a leader in higher education marketing, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of marketing strategies within…
Feb 21, 2025 · 31:56
Joel Goodman, founder of Bravery Media, discusses his journey in higher education marketing, the evolution of digital strategies, and the importance of user experience and…
Feb 14, 2025 · 33:34
In this episode, Jeff Dillon interviews Pete Mackey, PhD, founder and CEO of Mackey Strategies, exploring the intersection of strategic communications and technology in higher…
Feb 7, 2025 · 27:27
In this conversation, Eric Smith, Vice President of Technical Services Delivery at Fortify Data, discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in higher education. He shares…
Jan 31, 2025 · 30:07
In this conversation, Dr. Jenae Cohn discusses her extensive experience at the intersection of higher education and technology, focusing on the challenges and opportunities…
Jan 24, 2025 · 33:18
Jeff Saville discusses his journey in workforce development and career services, emphasizing the importance of empowering students through innovative programs and technology. He…
Jan 17, 2025 · 25:25
Teri Abbo-Sutherland, Director of Executive Programs Oakland University, is rewriting the rules of professional development. Her breakthrough insights argue that micro…
Jan 10, 2025 · 32:32
In this episode, Jeff Dillon is joined by Nick Burrell, VP of Strategic Partnerships at ZogoTech, a company specializing in data analytics solutions designed to empower higher…
Jan 3, 2025 · 33:29
In this episode, Jeff Dillon is joined by Josh Koenig, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Pantheon, a WebOps platform transforming how website teams deliver exceptional…
Dec 20, 2024 · 28:19
In this conversation, Justin Menard, CEO of ListEdTech, shares his extensive experience in educational technology and the evolution of data usage in higher education. He…
Dec 13, 2024 · 24:17
In this podcast episode, Jeff Dillon interviews Meredith Bailey, founder and CEO of StreamWork, a platform designed to enhance collaboration in online learning and higher…
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Your podcast? Get the Podli badge for your site
