Josie And The Podcast

This episode marks the last panel in the podcast’s classroom edition series. The classroom edition features panels I moderated for my Florida State University graduate-level course, Technology in Higher Ed. We’re closing out with a deep dive into what digital leadership looks like in higher education from perspectives all across campus. This week’s panelists Juhi Bhatt, Joy Hoffman, Douglas Eck, and Nathan Victoria cover everything from advice on digital reputations the realities and risks and rewards of a digital presence. Find all the show notes at josieahlquist.com/podcast and follow the podcast on Twitter @JosieATPodcast and host Dr. Josie Ahlquist @josieahlquist.

For this episode of my classroom edition series, I’ve invited three student affairs professionals in senior-level positions to give their perspective on digital leadership in higher education. Note: I moderated this panel (and the others in the classroom edition) for my Florida State University graduate-level course, Technology in Higher Ed. Tonantzin Oseguera, Damien Peña, and Peter A. Konwerski are our three panelists, and they break down what it’s like to be in an executive position in higher education, their social media approaches, and how campuses can and should implement digital leadership training. Find all the show notes at josieahlquist.com/podcast and follow the podcast on Twitter @JosieATPodcast and host Dr. Josie Ahlquist @josieahlquist.

Ever wondered what life is like for the folks on the other side of the EdTech exchange? This week’s panelists are three professionals working on the vendor side of edtech. Join guests Kayley Robsham, Chris Trudell, and Dustin Ramsdell for their advice on exploring careers in educational technology, the challenges they faced shifting from student affairs to edtech,  and how to evaluate vendors. This episode is part of a classroom edition series to the podcast, featuring panels I moderated for my Florida State University graduate-level course, Technology in Higher Ed.

This episode is part of a classroom edition series to the podcast, featuring panels I moderated for my Florida State University graduate-level course, Technology in Higher Ed. Sometimes phrases like “personal branding” and “online presence” feel like buzzwords, which is why we’re dissecting them in this week’s panel. Guests Laura Pasquini, Katie Linder, and Ed Cabellon talk about their approaches to digital identity, give their advice for maintaining a positive digital reputation, and even touch on privacy concerns related to an online presence.  

This episode is part of a classroom edition series to the podcast, featuring panels I moderated for my Florida State University graduate-level course, Technology in Higher Ed. Information technology (IT) is the backbone of any tech solution, which is why we’re talking IT in higher education in this third installment of Classroom Edition. IT pros Joe Sabado and Paul Schantz discuss the role their department plays in their universities, how to approach new technology solutions, and tech project management best practices.

This episode is part of a classroom edition series to the podcast, featuring panels I moderated for my Florida State University graduate level course, Technology in Higher Ed. This second installment is talking digital storytelling and social media strategy in higher education and beyond. Guests Lesley D’Souza, Dr. Liz Gross, and Matt Duncan give advice on how higher education can make social media more effective, tools for digital storytelling and engagement, and how to combine qualitative and quantitative social media data to paint the full picture.

This episode is part of a new classroom edition series to the podcast, featuring panels I moderated for my Florida State University graduate level course, Technology in Higher Ed. In this panel, I’m geeking out with three amazing scholars about student engagement and success through the lens of technology, from social media to hardware and software. Guests Dr. Paul Eaton, Dr. Sable Manson, and Dr. Adam Gismondi share their research and perspectives on tech in higher education, explore how educators and students can use and apply insights, and realities of living in a highly wired higher education community.

What if there was an educator that taught you how to challenge and deconstruct leadership frameworks or theory over memorizing or accepting them as truth? But what if this same teacher was effortlessly hilariously, authentic, and is what he calls “Unapologetically nerdy/apologetically awkward”? This very leadership scholar, educator, and author is featured on this episode, Dr. John Dugan. We discuss the state of leadership education and how technology, especially social media can enhance the classroom. John also shares his personal digital leadership approach that allows him to amplify other voices and calls for an ethical approach to tools like Twitter.

This episode features an award-winning social justice researcher who specializes in students with disabilities – particularly autism. Dr. Edlyn Pena believes technology is changing the lives of people with disabilities and her research is pushing these possibilities even further. This is a very personal topic for her – as she is a fierce advocate and proud mama-bear of her son Diego who has autism. But you’ll hear how even in third grade, Diego is breaking assumptions of what is possible such as his first published book that hit records on Amazon, called Anatomy of Autism. You’ll learn more about what is autism, the tech tools the Pena family uses for communication and the long-term commitment Dr. Pena has in changing the autism game so her son and others with disabilities can have purpose-filled lives.

Previous student affairs educator/pot stirrer turned professional seed planter/leadership speaker and personal coach – James Robilotta packs up a punch on the podcast today. Literally. James warns he’ll get you laughing and then punch you in the feels. Yes, feelings, the real ones. Questions about your life that will make your head spin, while uncontrollably giggling. He also calls out the constant comparison we hold ourselves to on social media - as we climb our own mountain of success. He’ll either change the way your approach meeting people on airplanes or pray you never meet him on one. All these acts are because James believes in the power of our stories – even the imperfect parts. He’ll share his own insecurities and lead you through his flaws, as he did in his book Leading Imperfectly. Because your story is good enough.  

There is more than hardware, software, and programming to Information Technology (IT). On paper, Joe Sabado is the Executive Director and Associate Chief Information Officer at UC Santa Barbara, but he refers to himself as an advocate for student success using technology, as an educator, and a mentor. Joe Sabado shares his purpose and mission in life that studies technology, lifts up first generation and marginalized students, and surrounds everything with an attitude of gratitude. Joe will share the opportunities and challenges in higher education IT, his new role as the chair of the NASPA Technology Knowledge Community and why he is still active on Pokemon Go. You’ll learn more about his family, Instagram foodie pics, uplifting tweets, and how he measures his life by always asking how he can help others.  

What are the core components of a compelling story? What examples in student affairs can we look to for engaging storytelling practices using data and assessment? Look no further than Lesley D’Souza and Ryerson Student Affairs in Toronto, Canada. This self-proclaimed assessment nerd has built a division-wide assessment cycle at Ryerson that fuels the Storytelling team she managers found at RyersonSA.com and #RyersonSA. Lesley shares the ingredients to a good story, which features students, emotions, and data – composed to build community, recruit higher quality students/staff/faculty and even advocate for more resources from campus decision makers. We also talk about the Twitter chat #SAcdn that Lesley manages, which aims to build a functional networked community of Canadian student affairs professionals.  

If I only described Olga Kay as a YouTuber turned Entrepreneur that would not give the breadth and beauty to her story. From her humble beginnings in Russia to joining the circus and moving to the US – to present day as the founder and CEO of MooshWalks.  In this episode, she serves up sass, advice, and inspiration in what she calls learning by doing – no matter if you are an entrepreneur or work in education – just start and figure it out as you go. We’ll learn more about her vision of bringing socks to life at MooshWalks and how she uses social tools like Musical.ly to connect with customers.  

Meet the Bollywood Bond girl of higher education Dr. Sumun Pendakur – or at least in this episode we laugh she could be. She aims to meld the political, personal, family, and professional – challenging listeners to stake a claim in this world and put power, voice, and a purpose especially for marginalized communities. As the Associate Dean of Institutional Diversity at Harvey Mudd College, her words match her deeds every day on and off-campus. Scroll through her Facebook or Twitter you’ll find the same – and maybe even feel more convicted to action that you did before. Sumi is a role model in digital leadership, calling out systems of oppression and injustice. Sometimes this is even through entertainment, as we discussed the hit movie Get Out. She accomplishes all this with an ethos of love, laughter, and genuine authenticity.    

There have been lots of research and discussion on how college students use social media – but what about graduate students? In this episode, I featured Cidnye Weimer a second-year graduate student in the College Student Personnel program at Ohio University. She adds another level to the to the graduate students on social, considering she is in the middle of a job search. She shares how she shifted social media usage from undergrad into her master’s program, how she uses social tools in her job search and advice for other grads/job seekers. In light of women’s history month, we also recognize the #LadyBosses that shaped her journey. Finally, Cidnye shares about the Digital Leadership Network, a collaborative group of educational professionals exploring leadership and technology.  

Mickey Meyer is a leader in the digital media, crowned by The Hollywood Reporter the “Don Draper of the Internet.” As a co-founder of JASH a multi-tiered studio with partners Michael Cera, Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Sarah Silverman and Reggie Watts – who are creating endless engaging content, building community with comedians and even previously connected YouTubers to the White House. We explore news sources and social media, how digital media can be used as a tool outside the classroom for learning, ALL the cool things that JASH is up to and how being a father is changing how he leads. Listen in and you’ll get a sense of why Mickey was listed in the 2014 Forbes’ list of “30 under 30.”

The 2017 kick-off episode is the perfect blend of fun, reflection, and resources that a new year needs. My guest Amma Marfo is a queen of content – from books and blogs to podcasts and newsletters. As a speaker, author and consultant in higher education she knows the creativity process means taking risk and projects failing are actually just part of the process. The priority she shares is creating relatable and real content, that includes the silly stuff.  Amma is becoming well known for her work around supporting introverts, so we get to explore more about what it means to be an introvert versus an extrovert.  She also can be found fostering online communities including the Summer Virtual Connection Circle, which comes to life as a Facebook group – not an easy task to moderate but like our podcast interview, with her wit and humor, Amma accomplishes so seamlessly.  

Often called a Digital Dale Carnegie and The Tony Robbins of Tech, Erik Qualman is a #1 Best Selling Author and Motivational Keynote Speaker that has spoken in 44 countries – and on the podcast - he offers both motivation and tactical tips as a leader in the digital age. We cover content from his most recent book, How to Sell on LinkedIn: 30 Tips in 30 Days as well as one of my favorite that inspired my own research, Digital Leader: 5 Habits Simple Keys for Success and Influence. In our conversation, we also discover how we were both walk-on college athletes, and share the hard work it took on and off the court. Erik and I also discuss the attention on college athletes’ social media platforms. Throughout the podcast, we explore skills for digital leaders that include posting it forward, finding the balance between on and offline and actively producing your digital reputation.