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Live from DisruptED with Marc Austin and Reamer Bushardt
In this bonus episode recorded live at the Collegis Education DisruptED summit in Phoenix, we spoke with Marc Austin and Reamer Bushardt to explore how partnerships between higher education institutions and employers can drive more relevant, workforce-aligned learning experiences. Through examples from healthcare and university initiatives, the conversation highlights how co-designed programs, continuous feedback loops, and shared goals can better prepare students for real-world careers.
The discussion emphasizes that successful partnerships require trust, aligned values, and ongoing collaboration—not just transactional agreements. Ultimately, when done well, these partnerships create meaningful pathways for students, improve career outcomes, and strengthen the connection between education and the evolving needs of the workforce.
Guest Names:
Dr. Marc Austin, Vice Provost & Managing Director, Montclair Unbound
Reamer Bushardt, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs, MGH Institute of Health Professions
Guest Socials:
Marc's LinkedIn
Reamer's LinkedIn
Guest Bios:
Dr. Marc Austin serves as the Vice Provost and Managing Director for Montclair Unbound, Montclair State University’s unit dedicated to extending the reach of the university through online and blended forms of education. Previously, he was the Associate Provost and Dean of Augusta University Online. Dr. Austin has spent the past two decades launching new, innovative approaches to online, executive and adult learning programs. Dr. Austin has also been a featured speaker for WCET, The Chronicle of Higher Education, ASU/GSV and others. He holds a PhD from Columbia University, a MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Reamer L. Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, DFAAPA serves as Professor, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, which was founded by the Massachusetts General Hospital and is the only degree granting member of Mass General Brigham. As Provost, he is the Institute’s chief academic officer with responsibility for all academic programs, research programs, faculty, and students. Dr. Bushardt is a seasoned educator, researcher, clinician, and administrator with experience in rural, community-based practice and faculty service within four academic health centers. He is licensed as a PA and pharmacist, specializing in the care of older adults and management of inappropriate polypharmacy and drug injury. As a PA, he has spent more than twenty-three years in primary care practice.
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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
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!
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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By Dustin Ramsdell
4.8
3333 ratings
In this bonus episode recorded live at the Collegis Education DisruptED summit in Phoenix, we spoke with Marc Austin and Reamer Bushardt to explore how partnerships between higher education institutions and employers can drive more relevant, workforce-aligned learning experiences. Through examples from healthcare and university initiatives, the conversation highlights how co-designed programs, continuous feedback loops, and shared goals can better prepare students for real-world careers.
The discussion emphasizes that successful partnerships require trust, aligned values, and ongoing collaboration—not just transactional agreements. Ultimately, when done well, these partnerships create meaningful pathways for students, improve career outcomes, and strengthen the connection between education and the evolving needs of the workforce.
Guest Names:
Dr. Marc Austin, Vice Provost & Managing Director, Montclair Unbound
Reamer Bushardt, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs, MGH Institute of Health Professions
Guest Socials:
Marc's LinkedIn
Reamer's LinkedIn
Guest Bios:
Dr. Marc Austin serves as the Vice Provost and Managing Director for Montclair Unbound, Montclair State University’s unit dedicated to extending the reach of the university through online and blended forms of education. Previously, he was the Associate Provost and Dean of Augusta University Online. Dr. Austin has spent the past two decades launching new, innovative approaches to online, executive and adult learning programs. Dr. Austin has also been a featured speaker for WCET, The Chronicle of Higher Education, ASU/GSV and others. He holds a PhD from Columbia University, a MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Reamer L. Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, DFAAPA serves as Professor, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, which was founded by the Massachusetts General Hospital and is the only degree granting member of Mass General Brigham. As Provost, he is the Institute’s chief academic officer with responsibility for all academic programs, research programs, faculty, and students. Dr. Bushardt is a seasoned educator, researcher, clinician, and administrator with experience in rural, community-based practice and faculty service within four academic health centers. He is licensed as a PA and pharmacist, specializing in the care of older adults and management of inappropriate polypharmacy and drug injury. As a PA, he has spent more than twenty-three years in primary care practice.
- - - -
Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
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!
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.