About This Episode
In this episode, Ashish Fernando sits down with Dustin Ramsdell to unpack the shifting dynamics shaping higher education today. From the looming enrollment cliff to the expanding role of online programs for traditional-age students, Dustin shares insights on how institutions are adapting to demographic and economic pressures.
The conversation explores how colleges are approaching AI with cautious optimism, evaluating real ROI while balancing innovation with institutional culture. They also discuss the evolving impact of scholarships, why digital marketing and SEO investments are driving stronger enrollment outcomes, and how institutions can build more authentic connections with prospective students.
Host & Guest
Dustin Ramsdell
GuestDustin Ramsdell is a Higher EdTech content creator, influencer, and podcast host dedicated to driving meaningful conversations that support student success. He is the creator and host of The Higher Ed Geek Podcast, where he spotlights innovative technology, emerging practices, and thought leadership across higher education.
With more than a decade of professional experience in higher education, Dustin has held roles spanning student support, marketing, and client success. His work bridges storytelling and strategy, amplifying the voices of leaders and practitioners who are shaping the future of education through technology.
Passionate about people and the possibilities technology unlocks, Dustin brings curiosity, authenticity, and humor to his work. A lifelong gamer and sustainability advocate, he lives in Delaware with his wife, Jenn, and their daughter, Ellie.
Key Highlights:
1. Host & Creator, The Higher Ed Geek Podcast
2. 10+ years of experience in higher education (student support, marketing, client success)
3. Higher EdTech influencer driving conversations around innovation and student success
4. Advocate for technology-enabled transformation in education
5. Speaker, content strategist, and community builder
Ashish Fernando Founder & CEO, EDMO
HostAshish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives
Show Notes
- 1 0:00 – Traditional-age students driving online course growth
- 2 0:35 – Welcome to Edu Unlocked & introducing Dustin Ramsdell
- 3 5:17 – Why higher ed is complex—but worth the work
- 4 9:44 – The enrollment cliff, urgency, and cautious innovation
- 5 13:00 – Rising costs, ROI, and rethinking rigid degree models
- 6 17:18 – Choosing the right institution beyond rankings
- 7 22:19 – Online learning, adult learners, and modality shifts
- 8 27:44 – Hybrid reality: maximizing in-person and online value
- 9 29:31 – Marketing vs. real institutional change
- 10 34:02 – AI hype, risk aversion, and adoption fears
- 11 36:45 – Why working in higher ed is uniquely fulfilling
- 12 41:00 – Closing thoughts & where to find The Higher Ed Geek
Key Quotes
“More traditional-age students are taking online courses—not to replace campus, but to maximize it.”
“Progress isn’t natural law—it’s committed people doing the work every single day.”
“You could use these tools to sell socks—or you could use them to help students change their lives.”
Resources
Supercharge Your University CRM