The Higher Ed Geek Podcast

In this episode, Dustin chats with Sabih Bin Wasi, Founder and CEO of Stellic, about rethinking course registration, degree planning, and the broader student experience. What started as a tool to help Sabih navigate his own college journey as a first-gen student has evolved into a platform used by over a million students worldwide. Together, they unpack why registration is more than a transactional task—it’s a pivotal point that shapes academic, personal, and professional futures. Whether you’re a registrar, advisor, or enrollment leader, this conversation will challenge you to question outdated systems and consider how better tech (and mindset shifts) can improve both the student and institutional experience.

What if your student success team had AI-powered tools that could prep meeting notes, flag at-risk students in real time, and prove the ROI of your campus programs—all without needing “perfect” data? In this episode, Civitas Learning CEO Will Ballard breaks down how their platform makes this possible. From demystifying data integration to showcasing real-world use cases of predictive and generative AI, Will shares a refreshingly honest and technical take on what higher ed institutions can (and should) be doing right now to increase student retention and graduation outcomes.

Shai Reshef, founder of University of the People, joins Dustin to share how his radically accessible, tuition-free, accredited online university is scaling globally and rewriting the rules of what college can be. From refugee learners in conflict zones to first-generation students from all over the world, University of the People is serving 170,000+ students with a bold vision: higher ed should be affordable, flexible, and job-relevant. This episode is a masterclass in educational innovation, AI integration, and mission-driven leadership.

In this bonus episode, Dustin caught up with Annie Chechitelli, Chief Product Officer at Turnitin. After recording earlier this year at SXSW EDU, they reconnected to unpack the biggest myths and realities around AI in higher ed. Building upon her recent blog post as well as the prior conversation Dustin had with Annie’s colleague, Eric Wang, this conversation dives into the evolving role of AI tools—like generative writing assistants and detection software—and how institutions and instructors can embrace transparency, not panic. Annie shares sharp insights on what AI literacy really means, why “zero AI” policies may backfire, and how faculty can empower students without sacrificing trust or learning outcomes.

In this final bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin chatted with Jenny Maxwell, Head of Grammarly for Education at Superhuman (formerly Grammarly), fresh off the announcement of their exciting rebrand. This timely conversation dives into the evolution of AI writing tools in higher education and how intentional product design is key to ethical, effective use. Jenny breaks down the power of their new “Authorship” tool, the growing demand for transparency in student work, and how AI can actually foster better teaching and learning—when it’s done right.