EdTech Connect

Show Notes

In this conversation, Joel Goodman, founder of Bravery Media, discusses his journey in higher education marketing, the evolution of digital strategies, and the importance of user experience and content in driving enrollment.

He emphasizes the need for higher ed institutions to understand the value of their websites and the role of AI in enhancing marketing efforts. Joel also highlights the challenges faced by higher ed websites, including performance issues and the need for a content audit. The discussion concludes with insights on the future of AI in higher ed and the importance of focusing on prospective students' needs.

Insights & Takeaways

• Joel Goodman has over 15 years of experience in higher ed marketing.
• Bravery Media focuses on human-centric designs to improve digital experiences.
• The evolution of higher ed has been gradual, with many challenges persisting.
• Leadership in higher ed is beginning to recognize the value of websites.
• Content strategy often leans too heavily on branding rather than information.
• Fast-loading websites significantly impact conversion rates.
• AI tools are often overhyped and not always effective in higher ed.
• The human touch in admissions is a key differentiator for institutions.
• Higher ed websites often serve as dumping grounds for information.
• A full content audit is essential for improving user experience.

Conversation Rundown

00:00 Introduction to Joel Goodman and Bravery Media

02:44 Joel's Journey in Higher Ed Marketing

05:31 The Evolution of Higher Ed and Digital Strategies

07:17 Understanding the Value of Content and Websites

10:21 Challenges of Higher Ed Websites and Performance

13:45 Search, SEO and AI Tools

18:07 AI's Role in Higher Ed Marketing

20:25 The Future of AI in Higher Ed

29:03 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts

Dig Deeper

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelgoodman/

Bravery Media on EdTech Connect
https://edtechconnect.com/service/bravery-media/41/
Bravery Media website
https://bravery.co/

And find EdTech Connect here:

https://edtechconnect.com/

• Halda aims to revolutionize engagement for enrollment marketers in higher education.
• AI can significantly enhance the effectiveness of enrollment marketing strategies.
• Personalization is key to improving user experience and conversion rates.
• Understanding user behavior on websites is crucial for effective marketing.
• Data privacy is a major concern, and only first-party data should be used for personalization.
• Measuring success in enrollment marketing requires a focus on real ROI and student feedback.
• The future of higher education will rely heavily on technology and AI integration.
• Institutions must adapt to changing market dynamics and student expectations.
• Effective content management is essential for successful enrollment marketing.
• Enrollment marketers should embrace AI and experiment with its applications.

• "Your website is a prioritization problem."
• "93% of students say this was helpful."
• "If the student wins, everyone wins."
• "You need a luxury experience in higher ed."
• "We only use data that has been given to us."
• "Don't be afraid of AI; embrace it."

BIO

Dallin Palmer is the Co-Founder of HALDA, Inc., an AI-powered platform revolutionizing engagement for enrollment marketers in higher education. With a background in sales and service design at companies like Podium and Chegg, Dallin specializes in innovative, data-driven solutions that drive personalization and automation in marketing.

LINKS
Halda.AI

In this episode, Jeff Dillon is joined by Josh Koenig, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Pantheon, a WebOps platform transforming how website teams deliver exceptional digital experiences.

With over two decades of experience in web development and online engagement, Josh shares his incredible journey—from his early days building political campaign platforms like DeanSpace for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential run to co-founding Chapter Three and ultimately Pantheon.

Josh dives into how Pantheon grew to become a leading WebOps platform, particularly excelling in the higher education sector, and explains how the company’s “productization” of consulting expertise addressed key challenges in web development collaboration and scalability. We discuss how his transition from Head of Product to Chief Strategy Officer allows him to focus on big-picture strategies that align with industry trends and customer needs.

He also reflects on how web development has evolved over the years, offering key insights into the future of WebOps in higher education and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, Josh’s lessons on leadership, innovation, and navigating complex digital ecosystems are sure to inspire.

Guest Profile

• Josh Koenig Position: Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Pantheon
• Over 20 years in web development
• Founder of DeanSpace (Howard Dean 2004 campaign)
• Co-founder of Chapter Three
• WebOps innovation leader

• Transformation of web development consulting into product
• WebOps platform specialization in higher education
• Evolution of digital experience platforms
• Transition from product leadership to strategic leadership

• Web development landscape constantly evolving
• Higher education requires specialized digital solutions
• Consulting expertise can be productized
• Technology collaboration needs innovative approaches

• Pantheon's approach to solving web development challenges
• Scaling web technologies for complex institutional needs
• Bridging gap between consulting and product development
• Future-proofing digital experience platforms

00:00 - Introduction to Josh Koenig

03:00 - Consulting to Product Transformation

07:13 - Higher Education Web Platform Challenges

12:26 - Digital Experience Platforms Overview

16:09 - From Political Campaigns to Startup World

19:35 - Defining "Productization"

24:40 - WebOps Outsourcing Benefits

29:24 - Career Advice for Web Professionals

• WebOps is revolutionizing digital experiences
• Strategic adaptability is crucial in tech leadership
• Specialized platforms can solve complex digital challenges
• Continuous learning is essential in web development

• Pantheon Website: www.pantheon.io
• Josh Koenig LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkoenig/
• Pantheon on EdTech Connect: https://edtechconnect.com/software/digital-experience-accessibility/pantheon/1394/

Helen Norris, CIO at Chapman University, discusses her journey to becoming a CIO and the evolving role of CIOs in higher education. She emphasizes the importance of integration and change advocacy in the current complex IT environment.

Norris also explores the potential of AI in various areas, such as advising, research, and administrative tasks. She highlights the need for explainability and privacy in AI implementation. Additionally, she discusses the challenges of managing content and data in higher education websites.

Takeaways

• The role of CIOs in higher education has evolved from being service providers to being integrators and change advocates.
• AI has the potential to enhance various areas in higher education, such as advising, research, and administrative tasks.
• The strategic value of legacy systems should be considered before deciding to replace them, and integrating new tools with these systems can be a more practical solution.
• AI implementation should prioritize explainability and privacy to ensure ethical and effective use.
• Managing content and data in higher education websites can be challenging due to the proliferation of information and the presence of stale and duplicate content.

Sound Bites

"Now it's about, oh, all these systems are there. And what I need to do is bring them together, make sure they're secure, make sure they're used well, make sure that we're always scanning that environment and seeing what we need to change."

"Putting new tools in front of legacy systems to enhance their capabilities and provide better outcomes for students and faculty."

"Ensuring explainability in AI decision-making, especially in high-stakes areas like advising."

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Background of Helen Norris

04:43: The Changing Role of CIOs in Higher Education

08:26: Balancing Process and Outcome in Decision-Making

12:56: Managing Change and Legacy Systems

16:21: The Potential of AI in Higher Education

19:40: Use Cases of AI in Higher Education

21:53: Academic Advisory Guidelines and Policies

22:10: Priorities at Chapman University

24:15: The Importance of IT Strategic Planning

25:08: Challenges of Content Management in Higher Education Websites

27:27: Advice for Upcoming IT Leaders in Higher Education

• Search is critical for shaping user experience online.
• Building scalable search infrastructure is challenging for many organizations.
• Higher education search focuses on guiding users to relevant information.
• Continuous learning and innovation are essential to stay ahead in search technology.
• Resilience is key in overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.
• Empowering teams fosters ownership and enhances productivity.
• Customer feedback is vital for shaping product development.
• AI can personalize and enhance search experiences significantly.
• Data accessibility is crucial for effective search solutions.
• Search engines should allow users to deprioritize outdated content.