EdTech Elevated

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, host Gerry Hanley, Chief Academic Officer at Partner in Publishing, sits down with Darren Catalano, CEO and co-founder of HelioCampus, for a conversation about the pressures reshaping higher education and how institutions can use data to make better decisions about their future.

Darren shares his journey from financial economics and industry analytics to higher education leadership at University of Maryland Global Campus and, ultimately, founding HelioCampus to help institutions use data for strategic decision-making. Drawing on his experience both inside higher education and as an EdTech partner, he explains why institutions are facing a fundamental shift from an era of enrollment growth and relatively easy expansion toward a new reality focused on accountability, financial sustainability, and outcomes.

In their conversation, Gerry and Darren unpack the growing importance of understanding the economics of higher education, from enrollment and demographic shifts to program-level performance, cost structures, and the question of whether a college degree delivers sufficient value for students. Drawing on his experience building a "hub and spoke" model at UMGC, he explains why successful institutional transformation requires relationships, shared governance, and tools that help different campus communities make better decisions together.

Whether you're a higher education leader, institutional researcher, EdTech professional, or someone interested in the future of colleges and universities, this episode offers a practical examination of how data, governance, and AI are shaping how institutions understand and manage their missions.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

2:25: Meet Darren Catalano and His Journey Into Higher Education Analytics

3:10: Why HelioCampus Was Built Around Data-Driven Decision Making

6:12: Evaluating Partners in Higher Education

8:02: The Demographic Enrollment Cliff

9:30: Balancing Mission and Margin in a New Era of Higher Ed

11:22: Why Understanding the Economics of Higher Education Matters

13:40: Using Data to Take the Emotion Out of Difficult Decisions

15:41: Accreditation, Accountability, and the New Financial Sustainability Requirements

17:35: Looking Forward: Data, ROI, and Positive Post-Graduation Outcomes

19:39: The Carrot and the Stick: Mission, Accountability, and Institutional Change

21:20: Generative AI and the Next Disruption in Higher Education

23:00: Why Trusted AI Requires Trusted Data

25:45: The Rise of the Chief Data and AI Officer

38:31: Shared Tools, Standards, and the Future of AI in Higher Ed

Resources:

HelioCampus

HelioCampus on LinkedIn

Darren Catalano

Partner in Publishing

Partner in Publishing on LinkedIn

Gerry Hanley

Lisa March

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, host Allison Langley, Senior Marketing Strategist and Manager with Partner in Publishing, sits down with Allison Maudlin, VP of Marketing at Unlimited Instruction, for a conversation about the evolving role of technology, tutoring, and human connection in K-12 education.

Allison shares her journey from classroom teacher to education marketer and explains what drew her to Unlimited Instruction, an organization focused on helping schools address teacher shortages by finding, training, and placing educators, paraprofessionals, specialists, and tutors through alternative pathways.

Together, they explore the changing tutoring landscape and why meeting students where they are requires more than technology alone. The conversation also dives into alternative pathways into teaching, the changing expectations of parents and families, education technology and screen-time concerns, and how AI is prompting both marketers and educators to rethink the way they work.

Finally, Allison shares advice for marketers entering the education space: know your audience, understand their challenges, meet them where they are, and—above all—be useful.

Whether you're an EdTech leader, education marketer, school district decision-maker, or someone interested in the future of tutoring and teacher recruitment, this episode offers a thoughtful look at why the future of education may depend on finding the right balance between technology and humans.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks

1:22: Meet Allison Maudlin and Her Journey Into Education Marketing

3:13: Unlimited Instruction: Humans Helping Humans, Helping Humans

5:43: Alternative Pathways Into Teaching

7:42: Making Tutoring More Accessible and Meeting Students Where They Are

10:25: Parent Choice, Personalized Learning, and the Changing Education Landscape

12:40: Screen-Time Restrictions and Why Balance Matters

14:20: Bringing the Human Element Back to Education and Technology

17:12: Marketing People, Not Software: The Power of Storytelling

20:30: Scaling Human Support for School Districts

22:09: Measuring the Impact of Relationship-Driven Education Marketing

24:02: Allison's Advice for Education Marketers: Know Your Audience and Be Useful

Resources

Unlimited Instruction

Unlimited Instruction (LinkedIn)

Allison Maudlin

Partner in Publishing

Allison Langley

Lisa March

AI is moving quickly into schools, and reactions range from cautious to enthusiastic.

What does it mean to teach AI before it teaches us?

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, host Lisa March, president and founder of Partner in Publishing, sits down with Jeff Riley, Executive Director of Day of AI, to explore how schools can approach artificial intelligence with intention and responsibility.

Jeff shares the mission behind Day of AI, a research-led, movement-minded organization focused on empowering students to become informed creators and thoughtful leaders in an AI-shaped world. Together, Lisa and Jeff discuss what districts are asking for as AI enters classrooms, why trusted guidance matters, and how open communication between educators, administrators, parents, students, and vendors is essential to getting it right.

The conversation covers developing AI policy, addressing privacy and safety concerns, and teaching students to be healthy skeptics who understand both the power and limitations of prediction-based systems.

This episode is essential listening for educators, district leaders, and EdTech partners who want to lead AI education responsibly and keep students at the center of the conversation.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

0:40: Meet Jeff Riley and Day of AI

4:20: Digital Natives & Digital Immigrants

5:40: AI for a Better World

7:30: Learning About AI From a Trusted Source

11:00: Privacy & Safety with AI

12:40: Raising Healthy Skeptics of AI

16:30: Parents Can't Be Out of the Loop

27:30: AI Literacy

29:30: Teaching Critical Thinking First

31:20: Research-Led, Movement-Minded

33:00: Personalizing Instruction with AI

36:50: For Parents and Schools: How to Get Involved with Day of AI

Resources:

Jeff Riley

Day of AI

Day of AI: Curriculum & Resources

Day of AI: Family Resources

Day of AI: For School Leaders

Lisa March

Partner in Publishing

Blog: How to Adopt AI Without Falling Behind

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, host Lisa March, President and Founder of Partner in Publishing, sits down with Kim Canning, Vice President of University Partnerships at Kaplan, for a timely conversation about access, affordability, and what it really means to be student-centered in admissions preparation.

Kim shares how Kaplan's mission of leveling the playing field through access shows up in practice, from breaking down socioeconomic barriers to rethinking how test prep is delivered at scale. The conversation explores Kaplan's All Access License, a model designed to make high-quality admissions prep available to all students, not just those who can afford it.

Together, Lisa and Kim unpack how strong university partnerships are built by listening first: aligning with institutional priorities, supporting employability readiness through skills courses, and extending value beyond enrollment to alumni. Kim also walks through a powerful case study with Hampton University, highlighting how integrated test prep and skills development can help graduates become confident, critical thinkers.

Whether you're an institutional leader, EdTech innovator, or university partner thinking about equity in admissions, this episode offers practical insight into how access-driven design and collaboration can open doors for students at every stage of their academic journey.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

0:40: Meet Kim Canning, VP of University Partnerships at Kaplan

2:23: The DNA of Kaplan: Leveling the Playing Field and Providing Access

6:45: Breaking Socioeconomic Barriers: Making Test Prep Affordable for ALL Students

9:00: Introducing the Kaplan All Access License

12:02: Working with University Partners on Their Priorities

16:47: Fostering Employability Readiness with Skills Courses

17:30: Case Study: Hampton University Graduates Critical Thinkers

21:30: What Does It Mean to Be Student-Centered?

25:30: Endless Ways of Partnering with Schools for Test Preparation

26:57: Supporting Alumni Through University Partnerships

28:30: How Schools Get Started with Kaplan

31:06: Creative Ways Big Institutions Partner with Kaplan

Resources:

Kim Canning

Kaplan

The Kaplan All Access License

Blog: Unlocking Potential: A First-Generation College Student's Journey to Medical School

Blog: Beyond Limits: How One Student Is Redefining Her Future & Pursuing Law School

Blog: Equipping the Next Generation for Success: How Delaware State University Is Driving Better Outcomes

Lisa March

Partner in Publishing

What if the most powerful chemistry lessons were the ones students couldn't see, but could feel in their everyday lives?

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, host Elaine Villanueva Bernal, Ph.D. Chemist of the University of California, Long Beach, is joined by Dr. Ashley Evanoski-Cole, Ph.D. Chemist of Westfield State University, who believes that tiny, invisible interactions can spark big learning breakthroughs.

Together, Elaine and Ashley explore how chemistry comes alive when it's connected to the world students already care about, from the air we breathe and the food we cook to exercise, weather, and even baking. They dive into how tools like REAL CHEM and interactive simulations help students visualize abstract concepts, collaborate more confidently, and move past common barriers like math anxiety.

The conversation also touches on the role of mentorship in chemistry education, the power of group learning, and how thoughtfully designed explorations and checkpoints can help students build both conceptual understanding and confidence. Along the way, Elaine and Ashley share practical examples of how stoichiometry becomes a kitchen lesson, atmospheric chemistry becomes personal, and learning shifts from memorization to meaning.

Whether you're teaching general chemistry, designing courseware, or looking for ways to help students see themselves in STEM, this episode is a reminder that when chemistry feels real, students lean in.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

0:34: Meet Dr. Ashley Evanoski-Cole and Dr. Elaine Villanueva Bernal

2:43: Atmospheric Chemistry: The Invisible Science of the Air

5:15: Teaching General Chemistry with REAL CHEM

7:10: PHET Simulations: Connecting Things We Can't See to Things We Care About

9:10: Teaching Group Activities with REAL CHEM

11:15: Real-Life Chemical Connections to Food, Weather, and Exercise

14:25: Mentorship in Chemistry Education

16:12: Getting Past the Fear of Math in Learning Chemistry

18:41: How Stoichiometry Becomes a Baking Lesson

22:03: Diving Deeper into REAL CHEM's Explorations & Checkpoints

23:45: Q&A Lightning Round: Chemistry Favorites

Resources:

Elaine Villanueva Bernal Biography, Research, and Publications

Elaine Villanueva Bernal LinkedIn

Elaine Villanueva Bernal on Instagram @theconnectedchemist

Ashley Evanoski-Cole Biography, Research, and Publications

Ashley Evanoski-Cole LinkedIn

REAL CHEM

Lisa March

Partner in Publishing

Chemistry can feel like an intimidating subject for college students. So, how do chemistry professors make their courses feel designed for every learner?

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, PIP's president and founder, Lisa March, sits down with Dr. Amy Burkert, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives and chemistry professor of Carnegie Mellon University. Together with the REAL CHEM team, she's helping transform a course historically known for "weeding students out" into one that welcomes students in and lifts them up.

By shaping the next generation of college learners, Dr. Bukert's work unites chemistry with real-world impact. We also explore REAL CHEM, the next-generation digital learning experience she helped design to make chemistry more engaging and effective, bringing learning science to life for students everywhere.

Join us for a conversation about what it really takes to help students see the chemistry in everything, and how innovation in teaching can transform how we understand learning itself.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

0:35: Meet Dr. Amy Burkert

08:10: Collaboration in Chemistry Education

11:30: An Adaptive Approach to Teaching Chemistry

16:50: Empowering Faculty to be Independent in Their Coursework

18:15: The Challenges (and Strengths) of Self-Directed Learning

19:23: Shifting Chem Ed from a Solo Sport to a Community of Practice

21:30: Mapping Principles of Learning Science & Engineering

22:27: The Shared Vision of REAL CHEM and its Partners

25:00: Contagious Excitement: Moments of Pride in Advancing This Work

26:04: Reaching Learners Who Are Left Out (Or Opt Out)

Resources:

Amy Burkert

REAL CHEM

Amy Burkert Research & Publications

Lisa March

Partner in Publishing

Chemistry sticks when students can feel it. So, how do we make the subject truly tangible?

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, PIP's president and founder, Lisa March, sits down with Dr. Gizelle Sherwood, a passionate chemistry educator and innovator at Carnegie Mellon University. With 17 years of teaching experience and her current role as Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemistry, Dr. Sherwood has dedicated her career to making science meaningful, accessible, and connected to the world beyond the classroom.

In shaping the next generation of college learners, Dr. Sherwood's work unites chemistry with real-world impact. We also explore REAL CHEM, the next-generation digital learning experience she helped design to make chemistry more engaging and effective, bringing learning science to life for students everywhere.

Join us for a conversation about what it really takes to help students see the chemistry in everything, and how innovation in teaching can transform how we understand learning itself.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

00:40 Meet Dr. Gizelle Sherwood

02:15 Combining Math and Chemistry

05:01 The Tangibility of Homeopathic Chemistry

05:51 The Power of a Network of Chemists

07:02 Inspiring the Next Generation of Chemists Through Research Work

08:30 Cosmetic & Cooking Chemistry

10:50 REAL CHEM Gets Students Excited About the Sciences

14:57 Representation: Students Need to See Themselves in Chemistry

20:00 Student Success with REAL CHEM

20:50 Behind the Scenes of REAL CHEM Video Production

22:18 Students Today Want Tangibility

23:48 Sharing Stories: Favorite Experiments

25:20 How to Use REAL CHEM in Your Classroom

29:00 The Taurus Platform: Data-Driven Teaching

32:50 Learning Science in a Continual Feedback Loop

Resources:

Gizelle Sherwood

REAL CHEM

Gizelle Sherwood Research & Publications

Lisa March

Partner in Publishing

What if students graduated seeing themselves as future CEOs, not just future employees?

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, Partner in Publishing (PIP) President and Founder Lisa March sits down with Alfredo Mathew III, founder and CEO of SPCC.1 and co-founder of ESO Ventures, to explore how schools can better prepare students to thrive in the real-world economy. From developing an entrepreneurial mindset to reimagining what "career readiness" truly means, Lisa and Alfredo dive into how education can bridge classrooms and capital.

They unpack what it takes to connect Gen Z learners to meaningful work, why the language of business belongs in every classroom, and how teaching the "business of life" could redefine the purpose of education altogether. Alfredo shares how developing an entrepreneurial mindset early on helps students see themselves as creators, innovators, and leaders equipped to drive change and define success on their terms.

Education and entrepreneurship don't have to be separate paths. They can be one journey.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing:

https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

0:32 Meet Alfredo Mathew: Changemaker & Entrepreneurship Advocate

2:34 Mentoring Young People in Ownership

3:57 Work AND College: Creating Economic Opportunities

6:35 Bridging Silicon Valley & Schools

9:05 The Gap Between the Wall Street & the Main Street Economy

11:32 History Class Teaches Entrepreneurial Thinking

15:25 The Educator Mindset: Thinking Strategically

18:54 Education Exists Within the Economy

20:02 The Creator Economy

24:33 Mateo's Story

27:35 How Do Schools Get Involved with Alfredo's Work?

Resources

Manifesting an Economic Engine for Social Good | Alfredo Mathew III | TEDxWest Valley College

Alfredo Mathew III

ESO Ventures

SPCC.1

Lisa March

Partner in Publishing

Both can be true: AI is the new frontier—and in business, humans connect with humans.

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, Partner in Publishing (PIP) President and Founder Lisa March and CEO Kevin O'Sullivan pull back the curtain on what it takes to build a company from the ground up. From finding your niche and getting your business off the ground to helping others do the same (as true partners), they share the insights and anecdotes that have been "the secret to the sauce" (Kevin's all-time favorite phrase).

It's all about human connection. How we balance that with the efficiency of modern-day tech, especially in the age of AI, is a hot-button issue in today's climate, and Lisa and Kevin tackle it head-on. Together, they get real about the human side of growth and how AI has officially joined the sales team, bringing numbers through the roof.

Packed with stories, laughs, and "wait… that actually worked?" moments, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the future of business growth in the evolving world of EdTech.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing:

https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

00:00 Take Your Idea From Concept to Close

4:25 Finding (and Following) Your Niche

7:28 Getting Your Business off the Ground

12:20 Bringing AI Into Sales: It's A Numbers Game

16:25 Taking Calls to Close with Efficiency

18:58 The Impact of AI in Market Research

20:50 Humans Connect with Humans

21:48 The PIP Eras

23:49 LinkedIn is the Biggest Publisher Out There

25:00 AI as the New Frontier

Resources:

Lisa March

Kevin O'Sullivan

Partner in Publishing

In this episode of EdTech Elevated, Partner in Publishing (PIP) President and Founder, Lisa March, sits down with CEO Kevin O'Sullivan for a candid conversation that goes back to where it all began. Together, they reflect on how PIP started with relationships, reputation, and insider knowledge (and inside jokes), and how those early priorities shaped the company's values and growth over the last sixteen years.

Lisa and Kevin share stories from the early days of building the business, the lessons they've learned as partners, and what has kept their collaboration strong through different eras of EdTech. The conversation doesn't stop at the past, though (and neither do the laughs and great stories). They also look ahead to the future of marketing in education, exploring new strategies, trends, and AI-driven technologies that are reshaping the field today.

This episode is part retrospective and part future-oriented, offering listeners both an inside look at the origins of Partner in Publishing and timely insights into where EdTech is heading next.

Sponsored by Partner in Publishing:

https://partnerinpublishing.com/

Bookmarks:

00:00 Introducing the Lisa and K.O. Show, Powered by PIP

5:50 The PIP Difference: A Full-Service Partner

9:14 Customer Support as a Lesson of the Pandemic

11:24 Developing Product Ambassadors and "Real Fans"

14:14 Modernization: Bringing Marketing and Sales Under the Same Roof

14:58 Social Media Marketing vs. Email Marketing

16:52 Developing Great Storytelling Content

19:50 You Can't Just Do One Thing

22:30 Working With Solopreneurs vs. Designated Team

27:01 Building a Culture of Mentorship and Connection

28:39 Everyone is a Publisher