In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Michael Curtin, Innovation Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty in Informatics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Michael’s path is anything but ordinary — moving between the worlds of video game development and academia, he’s built a rare perspective on how to bridge creativity, technology, and education.

Together, Zach and Michael explore how the skills that make great game designers — experimentation, iteration, and imagination — are exactly what higher education needs to navigate the AI era.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How Michael’s work in video games naturally led him to AI innovation
• Why universities need “translators” who can bridge technical and non-technical communities
• The expectation problem — why people think AI should act like every other program
• What makes ChatGPT 3.5 a turning point for higher education
• How AI can serve as a “thought partner” for rapid ideation and creative exploration
• The importance of managing hype while embracing potential

Michael’s story shows that the future of education isn’t just about adopting new tools — it’s about rethinking how we connect creativity, communication, and technology across disciplines.

What happens when you hand powerful AI tools to a curious 7th grader?
 You get insights that most adults overlook.

In this special episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Dawson Brown, a 7th-grade student from Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman, Montana. Dawson shares his unique perspective on AI in education—and trust us, he’s got a lot to teach us.

Topics covered:

• ✅ Why Dawson prefers BoodleBox over other AI platforms (and what he thinks about Snapchat AI 👎)
• 🎓 How he uses AI to get ahead in math class
• 🧠 His bold claim: “AI has made me smarter”
• 🤝 Why teachers aren’t talking about AI—and why they should
• ⚖️ Dawson’s call for moderation and using AI as a learning tool, not a cheat code

This is the kind of conversation that will make you rethink how early AI literacy should start—and who should be leading it.

Whether you're an educator, a parent, or just someone interested in how the next generation is learning, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach Kinzler sits down with Matt Biggins, Managing Director of the Wolverine Fund at Utah Valley University and a dynamic force in student-run venture capital.

From decathlete to venture capitalist, Matt’s unorthodox journey shapes a unique perspective on AI, education, and the future of work. Together, Zach and Matt explore:

• How Matt uses ChatGPT as a thought partner—not a crutch
• Why today's education systems aren't preparing students for AI-integrated careers
• What soft skills will matter most in the AI age
• The paradox of democratized knowledge vs. shallow understanding
• Real talk on AI’s impact on job applications, productivity, and creativity

Matt’s advice? Use AI to sharpen your thinking, not skip it. And double down on the human skills machines can’t replace.

Whether you're a student, educator, or professional navigating this AI-driven shift, this episode will leave you inspired to think deeper, learn smarter, and stay human.

This special edition of the Smarter Campus Podcast flips the mic.

In this crossover episode, Sean Amaso—student creative, AI skeptic, and host of the brand-new podcast The Other Side—takes the interviewer seat for his show’s very first episode... and his first guest is none other than Smarter Campus host, Zach Kinzler.

Together, Sean and Zach dive deep into:

• Why balance—not blind adoption—matters when using AI
• The true role of human agency in the age of generative tech
• What we can learn from the past (like the story of ELIZA)
• Whether there’s such a thing as “ethical” or “responsible” AI
• Why Zach believes AI is a skill—not a shortcut
• And how both shows aim to reshape how we talk about technology in education

This isn’t your usual tech hype. It’s honest. It’s critical. It’s thoughtful. And it’s the start of a new kind of AI conversation.

Welcome to The Other Side.

In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Austin French, Director of Career Pathways and Employer Engagement at the University of Maine Farmington and co-host of the More Than the Outdoors podcast.

Austin brings a fresh and relatable perspective to AI integration—not as an expert, but as a “casual user” who had to master AI tools out of necessity. Drawing from his background in outdoor recreation and workforce development, he offers an actionable blueprint for educators and professionals looking to harness AI without feeling overwhelmed.

Key Highlights:

• AI for Efficiency: How Austin used AI to streamline his multiple roles, demonstrating that you don’t have to be an expert to get results.
• Outdoor Meets AI: Why integrating technology into outdoor education matters and how it can increase access and affordability.
• The 3 C’s Framework: Austin’s roadmap for success—be curious, become competent, and be confident.
• Career Growth Mindset: Why staying “at the top of the mountain” requires continual learning and adaptation.
• Student Readiness: How AI can prepare students for the professional world without replacing critical thinking or curiosity.

This episode is perfect for educators, workforce leaders, and anyone interested in starting their AI journey with practical, low-barrier steps that create big results.

In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, I sit down with Chris Agnew — ed-tech entrepreneur, experiential learning evangelist, and the driving force behind Stanford’s Generative AI for Education Hub.

Chris shares his unconventional journey into AI, from wilderness expeditions and lab schools to leading Teton Science Schools and working in venture-backed edtech during the release of ChatGPT. His background informs a vision for AI in education that is less industrial and more experiential, personalized, and student-centered.

We dive into:

• The mission of Stanford’s Generative AI for Education Hub — to be a trusted, research-driven resource for school leaders
• Why privacy, security, and pedagogy matter more than hype in AI adoption
• How research partnerships with districts are uncovering what effective AI use looks like in practice
• Chris’s vision for transforming education away from factory models and toward more human-centered, hands-on learning

This episode captures a pivotal moment in AI adoption: one where the right balance between innovation and responsibility could redefine education for the next generation.

In Episode 27 of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach Kinzler is joined by Princeton University student Samantha Reeves for a deep dive into the evolution of AI on campus—from cautious curiosity to thoughtful critique.

🔥 In this episode, we explore:

• Samantha’s journey from a freshman seminar on digital truth to becoming an active voice in AI ethics
• Why students are eager for formal guidance on AI usage—but aren’t getting it yet
• How faculty responses to AI vary widely, with some using it for coding instruction while others still avoid it entirely
• Princeton’s growing focus on ethical AI and the tension between innovation and integrity
• What it means to prepare students for an AI-driven world without sacrificing critical thinking

🎧 Whether you're a student, faculty member, or educational leader, this conversation offers a raw and thoughtful look at how one of the world’s top universities is navigating AI's impact on academic life.

In Episode 26 of The Smarter Campus Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Anzar Khaliq, Chief Learning Officer and an outspoken advocate for reimagining education—entirely from scratch.

With a background that blends physics, improvisational theatre, radio hosting, and educational leadership, Dr. Khaliq shares powerful insights into what teaching should look like in the age of AI.

What We Discuss:

• Why earning a doctorate doesn’t mean you know how to teach
• How AI can rebuild learning models—not just upgrade them
• Practical ways to use AI for onboarding, assessments, and collaborative faculty dialogue
• What it means to shift from delivering information to fostering curiosity
• The importance of community, improvisation, and embracing discomfort in teaching

Dr. Khaliq’s message is clear: education must evolve faster than it is—and AI is the catalyst to rethink not just how we teach, but why.

In Episode 25 of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with award-winning educator and AI literacy pioneer Tina Austin to explore what it means to navigate, not master, the age of AI in education.

In this episode:

• Tina shares her journey from biomedical AI research to teaching humanities
• How she created the “Unblooom Method” to reimagine Bloom’s Taxonomy for AI-integrated learning
• Strategies for helping hesitant faculty ease into AI adoption
• Her belief that curiosity—not control—is key to preparing students for the future
• Practical advice on designing AI-augmented curriculum that students love

Tina’s thoughtful, nuanced approach to AI in education is a must-listen for anyone shaping the classroom of tomorrow.

In Episode 24 of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler is joined by EdTech founder and former educator Gary Hensley to explore how AI can solve real problems in education—and what’s holding us back.

Key highlights from the episode:

• Gary’s journey from assistant principal to three-time EdTech founder
• How early AI tools were used to predict and prevent student dropouts
• What the launch of ChatGPT means for access, creativity, and teaching
• Why schools aren’t changing fast enough—and how educators can lead the way
• Hard-won lessons from startup life: team building, financial literacy, and just getting started

This is a powerful conversation for anyone passionate about building real solutions for real problems in education.