Campus Technology Insider

At the Fall 2026 Tech Tactics in Education conference, keynote speaker Derek Garrison, principal at Heritage High School in Vancouver, WA, reminded us that educators are entering the age of AI from very different starting lines — curious, cautious, resistant, overwhelmed, or already experimenting. For leaders, the challenge is helping people move from where they actually are. In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, we present the recording of Garrison's keynote address. He shares how he launched a small AI pilot group grounded in a Kaizen (incremental improvement) mindset, supported by a small grant, and structured around monthly "stories from the road."

00:00 Welcome and Setup

01:09 Keynote Begins

02:07 77 Starting Lines

03:01 Robot Race Metaphor

07:28 Complex Change Matrix

11:07 Mapping Teacher Mindsets

13:39 Kaizen Motorcycle Club

14:53 Stories from the Road

17:09 Mad Libs and PD Design

20:12 Big Three Connection

24:56 Protected Risk Leadership

27:34 Vision and Pivoting

29:22 Shared Language Handles

31:47 Closing Thanks

32:55 Podcast Sign Off

Resource links:

• Tech Tactics in Education
• Sean McDonald on the Campus Technology Insider podcast
• John Baker on the Campus Technology Insider podcast
• Julia Freeland Fisher on the Campus Technology Insider podcast

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 34 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Rhea Kelly, editor-in-chief of Campus Technology, chats with Rob Coyle, product manager for digital credentials at 1EdTech, about his organization's recent reports on the digital credential ecosystem, including employer data needs and technical transport workflows into hiring systems. Coyle defines digital credentials as standardized, metadata-rich packages that make learning and employment data trusted, verifiable, and interoperable, distinguishing them from micro-credentials. He describes K–12 use cases for staff development and early workforce pipelines, and highlights barriers to adoption such as limited awareness, inconsistent data placement, and challenges moving credential data into HR and applicant tracking systems. The discussion covers AI's dual impact: helping analyze curriculum and define pathways while also increasing résumé noise, making verifiable credentials more valuable. Coyle urges higher education IT leaders to lead cross-stakeholder planning, start small with pilots, credential co-curricular learning, and avoid assumptions about how learners will use credentials over time.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:37 What 1EdTech Does

01:38 Digital Credentials Explained

05:29 K12 Workforce Pipeline

07:03 Inside the New Reports

08:04 Employer Data Needs

11:05 Credential Transport Workflows

12:19 Barriers to Adoption

14:49 Consistency and Standards

17:08 AI Changes Hiring Signals

21:30 AI Skills And Literacy

23:33 IT Leaders Lead Strategy

28:09 Quick Wins for Learners

30:26 Design for Lifelong Use

31:47 Closing and Where to Listen

Resource links:

• 1EdTech's digital credentials reports
• Who's at Your Table? Building a Campus Coalition for LER Success
• 1EdTech Digital Credentials Procurement Considerations
• More on 1EdTech's digital credentials work

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 32 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Rhea Kelly, editor-in-chief of Campus Technology, interviews Adam Dowrie, associate director of organization and planning at California State University, Sacramento, about how AI is affecting student housing operations. Dowery describes shifting enrollment patterns and Sacramento State's upcoming live-on requirement starting fall 2026, which is prompting real-time planning for capacity and demand. He explains how Sacramento State is using AI to improve writing quality in e-mails and notes, surface student information quickly, reduce time spent navigating the system, and potentially automate tasks like check-ins, check-outs, packages, and visitor connections. Adoption is optional, success is currently focused on staff comfort and efficiency, and the goal is freeing time for more student-facing work.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:30 Adam's Role at Sac State

01:48 Housing Challenges and Live-On Policy

04:16 AI Tools in Housing Ops

07:40 StarRez and AI Rollout

09:22 Workflow Changes with AI

12:08 AI Analytics and Forecasting

14:06 Change Management and Adoption

16:24 Measuring Success and Student Impact

19:34 Final Advice and Wrap Up

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 22 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider Podcast, we present the keynote from Jay James, cybersecurity operations manager at Auburn University, delivered at the May 2026 Tech Tactics in Education Conference. James argues that a widening gap in AI literacy is leaving students and workers unprepared as AI adoption accelerates, citing data on low training rates, rapid growth in AI-required roles, and major economic and cybersecurity impacts. He illustrates how Auburn's student-staffed Security Operations Center builds real AI-embedded experience through authentic tools, mentorship, failure tolerance, and consequential outcomes, highlighting a student project that improved phishing visibility and influenced leadership decisions. James outlines institutional readiness levels and calls for starting with practical use cases, building faculty development, and creating sustained industry feedback loops to produce AI-ready graduates.

00:00 Podcast Introduction

01:00 Keynote Roadmap

02:18 George Story Setup

04:22 Why Readiness Matters

06:12 Workforce Data Reality

10:12 AI Fluency Surge

14:55 Opportunity and Equity

17:10 Cybersecurity Skills Gap

20:22 Auburn SOC Model

22:32 George Phishing Dashboard

24:54 Five Ingredients for Success

29:08 Scaling Beyond Cybersecurity

30:58 Policy and National Strategy

33:24 Campus AI Versus Teaching

35:54 Readiness Levels Framework

37:37 Four Move Playbook

41:46 Closing Call to Action

46:00 Podcast Outro

Resource links:

• Tech Tactics in Education

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 47 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider podcast, Rhea Kelly, editor-in-chief of Campus Technology, speaks with Tirumala Rao Chimpiri, senior programmer analyst for enterprise applications & integrations at Stony Brook University, about CAIP-HE, a platform-agnostic reference framework for connecting insight, decision-making, and execution across enterprise environments. Chimpiri explains that organizations often invest in ERP, analytics, automation, integration, personalization, and AI, yet still struggle to turn insights into timely, coordinated action because these capabilities remain siloed and decision ownership and workflows are unclear. CAIP-HE focuses on four interdependent dimensions — cognitive automation, advanced analytics, integration and interoperability, and personalization — and is positioned as a leadership lens rather than a product or methodology. He recommends starting with a few high-impact scenarios, mapping the end-to-end flow from insight to execution, and addressing gaps through clearer governance, ownership, integration, and workflow design, noting that AI alone does not resolve decision flow or accountability.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:30 Tirumala Background and Motivation

02:23 What CAIP-HE Means

05:38 The Insight to Action Gap

07:06 How to Apply CAIP-HE

08:58 Why AI Alone Is Not Enough

10:44 Governance and Decision Rights

12:34 Common Modernization Mistakes

14:22 Key Takeaways for CIOs

15:54 Closing and Where to Listen

Resource links:

• CAIP-HE framework
• Why ERP and AI Initiatives Stall at the Execution Layer: A CIO Perspective

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 17 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider Podcast, Campus Technology Editor-in-Chief Rhea Kelly hosts Ed Skoudis, president of the SANS Technology Institute, to discuss how AI is reshaping cybersecurity and what it means for higher education. Skoudis says AI is now driving all five top emerging attack trends highlighted in SANS's RSAC keynote: increased zero-day exploits, expanded supply-chain risk, growing complexity in operational technology attacks, risks of irresponsible AI use in digital forensics and incident response, and the need to use AI defensively to keep pace with attackers' speed. He explains why higher ed is harder to defend due to diverse, open, cutting-edge environments and constrained budgets, and he recommends accelerated patching, AI-assisted incident response, rapid decision-making teams, frequent tabletop exercises, threat intelligence monitoring, and flexible AI workflows that can swap models as tools change.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:29 Ed Skoudis Background

01:00 Steampunk Office Tour

02:24 Antiques Meet IoT

03:25 AI Drives Attack Trends

05:01 Higher Ed Under Fire

05:49 Five AI Shaped Attacks

09:51 Lessons from Finance

12:05 Speeding Up Response

15:32 Training for AI Defense

18:00 AI Toolkit and Model Flexibility

22:01 Budget Priorities Patching First

25:39 Crystal Ball Rough Years Ahead

29:53 Zero Vulnerabilities Vision

31:22 Prepare with AI Strategy

34:16 Closing and Where to Listen

Resource links:

• SANS Technology Institute
• SANS Institute's Top 5 Most Dangerous New Attack Techniques
• SANS free cybersecurity resources
• Internet Storm Center

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 35 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider Podcast, Campus Technology Editor-in-Chief Rhea Kelly interviews Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, about how generative AI is reshaping student success work and increasing the need for cross-institution collaboration. Burns describes the UIA's role supporting 19 large public research universities as a shared R&D lab for higher ed, emphasizing open, scalable practices that improve student outcomes. She outlines key AI challenges for institutions, including governance gaps, privacy and data risks, intellectual property, contract liability, safety concerns, and limited capacity to evaluate rapidly evolving vendor agreements. Burns highlights ASU's AI initiatives and explains UIA's AI Decision Framework, outlining critical questions to ask before signing enterprise AI agreements. She also discusses institutional readiness, AI literacy, and principles for scaling innovations through adaptation, cross-functional teams, clear targets, and ongoing evaluation.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:32 UIA Mission and Model

01:49 Generative AI Changes

05:07 Promising Campus Use Cases

07:22 Top Risks and Governance

09:23 ASU Early Mover Lessons

11:11 AI Vendor Decision Framework

15:28 Procurement Questions That Matter

18:54 Community Over Perfection

21:42 AI Readiness and Culture

25:53 Scaling with Guardrails

31:56 Closing Thoughts and Wrap Up

Resource links:

• University Innovation Alliance AI Decision Framework
• EDSAFE AI Alliance
• Educause report: The Impact of AI on Work in Higher Education
• University Innovation Alliance Scaling Innovation Toolkit

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 34 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider Podcast, Rhea Kelly, Editor-in-Chief of Campus Technology, dives into leadership in higher education IT with Sean McDonald, president of MOR Associates. They discuss defining leadership, the major challenges for leaders today, including complexity and prioritization, and how AI is shaping the future of higher ed. Sean shares his insights on creating a culture of shared governance, fostering diverse perspectives, and the importance of strategic thinking.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:26 Sean McDonald's Background and Work

01:11 Defining Leadership in Higher Education

03:17 Challenges for Leaders in Higher Education

03:54 Complexity and Focus in Higher Ed IT

06:51 Strategic Thinking and Leadership

10:11 Shared Governance and Change Management

13:40 Impact of AI on Leadership

16:53 Overcoming Leadership Challenges

22:26 Practical Leadership Tips and Coaching

25:09 Final Advice for Aspiring Leaders

27:10 Conclusion and Podcast Sign-off

Resource links:

• MOR Associates
• Five Forces model

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 28 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rhea Kelly sits down with Sidney Fernandes, CIO, and VP of Digital Experiences at the University of South Florida. They discuss the impact of agentic AI in higher education, focusing on USF's initiatives to make technology and workflows user-friendly. Topics include the formation of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, strategies for integrating AI to improve student and faculty experiences, and the importance of security, compliance, and data governance in AI deployment. In addition, they explore how USF leverages student ambassadors to scale AI literacy and solutions across its campuses.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:30 Sydney Fernandez's Background and Role at USF

01:10 USF's Technology Strategy: Making It Easy

02:44 Digital Experiences at USF

05:33 AI Initiatives and Early Goals

13:32 Scaling AI with Student Ambassadors

23:44 Challenges and Lessons Learned

26:08 Future of AI at USF

29:19 Conclusion and Farewell

Resource links:

• GenAI at USF
• Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 30 minutes

Transcript

In this episode of the Campus Technology Insider Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rhea Kelly sits down with Jenay Robert, Senior Researcher at Educause, to discuss the 2025 Horizon Action Plan focusing on building skills and literacy for using generative AI in higher education. They delve into the process behind Educause's annual Horizon reports, the actionable advice stemming from these reports, and the preferred future that educators and institutions should be aiming for. They also explore the goals for higher education over the next decade, the shift from AI policy to practical training, and the specific actions that different levels within institutions can take to integrate AI effectively. Jenay also teases her upcoming research project on AI's impact on day-to-day work in higher education.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:42 Understanding the Educause Action Plans

02:40 Focus on Generative AI Skills and Literacy

05:51 Preferred Future for Higher Education

10:40 Actionable Steps for Institutions

17:01 Next Steps and Future Research

20:10 Conclusion and Farewell

Resource links:

• Educause 2025 Horizon Action Plan: Building Skills and Literacy for Teaching with GenAI
• Educause Horizon Reports
• 2025 Educause AI Landscape Study
• Institute for the Future

Music: Mixkit

Duration: 21 minutes

Transcript