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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:
- 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 Modo Labs is enabling multi-platform IT
- (00:28:32) - How to Upgrade Your Digital Campus Experience
- (00:29:54) - EdTech Connect
