About the Episode
About the Episode:
In this week’s episode, Dustin with Kaitlin Dumont, the self-proclaimed Mrs. Maisel of EdTech, about the future of higher education. Kaitlin shares insights from her diverse background and delves into the importance of strategic partnerships as well as her perspective on the digital transformation driving the evolving landscape of higher ed. They also discuss the value of intimate, community-driven events like EdTechWeek, professional communities like the Future of Higher Ed group, and the forthcoming integration of education with the workforce.
As a reminder, EdTechWeek tickets are selling fast – register now and use the promo code GEEK2024 for 20% off your ticket to join us in NYC!
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Partnerships in Higher Ed: Institutions must assess which functions to keep in-house and which to strategically outsource for greater efficiency and innovation.
- The Value of Community: Collaborative ecosystems like EdTech Week and the Future of Higher Ed Slack community foster meaningful, cross-sector connections and solutions.
- The Future of Workforce Integration: As the workforce evolves, higher education must align more closely with employer needs, bridging the gap between education and employment.
- Human-Centered Digital Transformation: Effective innovation combines cutting-edge technology with an emphasis on user adoption and human impact.
Episode Summary
The Role of Strategic Partnerships in Higher Ed
Kaitlin emphasized the growing importance of strategic partnerships as a competitive advantage for higher education institutions. As schools grapple with limited resources and rising demands, outsourcing non-core functions to specialized partners can enhance efficiency and free up internal resources to focus on the student experience.
- Vertical Integration vs. Collaboration: Historically, universities managed most functions internally, but the landscape is shifting as institutions increasingly look to external partners for CRM, ERP, and other system implementations.
- Staffing Challenges: With talent migrating to private industry, universities are leveraging partnerships to access expertise they can no longer maintain in-house.
- Core Capabilities: By focusing internal resources on what makes their institution unique, schools can ensure their value proposition stands out.
EdTech Week: A Model for Intimate Collaboration
The discussion spotlighted EdTech Week, an annual event designed to connect diverse stakeholders in education technology. Unlike larger conferences, EdTech Week emphasizes intimate-scale gatherings to foster deep, meaningful conversations.
- Inclusive Participation: EdTech Week encourages involvement from a broad spectrum of attendees, from job seekers to university leaders.
- Dynamic Sessions: Kaitlin highlighted the value of interactive discussions and smaller group formats, which allow for genuine knowledge exchange and connection.
- Personal Impact: Kaitlin shared how her involvement with EdTech Week and the Future of Higher Ed Slack community has fostered lasting professional relationships and fruitful collaborations.
The Future of Work and Learning
As industries evolve, the relationship between higher education and employers must become more integrated to remain relevant.
- Symbiosis Between Work and Learning: Kaitlin predicts that workplaces will increasingly resemble educational institutions, while schools will adopt practices and structures common in professional environments.
- Education as a Benefit: Programs that align learning opportunities with career progression, such as tuition assistance or workforce training initiatives, will define the future of education-employment integration.
- Navigating Workforce Needs: Universities must deepen collaborations with employers to address skills gaps and align academic offerings with industry demands.
Human-Centered Digital Transformation
Digital transformation in higher ed requires a balance between technological innovation and human-focused implementation.
- Technical and Human Teams: Huron’s approach to digital transformation includes separate teams for technical implementation and human-centered adoption, ensuring tools are both functional and accessible.
- Beyond AI Hype: Institutions must avoid adopting AI or other technologies solely because they’re trendy and instead focus on solving real human problems.
- Empowering Stakeholders: Successful transformation hinges on engaging and equipping students, faculty, and staff to use new tools effectively.
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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