{"podcast":{"title":"The Signal","slug":"the-signal-7024065","podcast_index_feed_id":7024065,"rss_url":"https://feeds.castos.com/4xqr8","website_url":"https://edtechconnect.castos.com","image_url":"https://episodes.castos.com/66cf7b74d67cb0-47099354/images/podcast/covers/c1a-mp079-qd154xrxu74q-t9z0us.jpg","author":"Jeff Dillon","episode_count":96,"summary":"With more than 450,000 downloads, The Signal is the definitive podcast for higher education’s transformation leaders. Hosted by Jeff Dillon, The Signal cuts through the noise of the \"status quo\" to bring you the strategic intelligence needed to reshape how institutions recruit, support, and retain students. Every Friday, we sit down with the practitioners and technology builders who are actively defining the next decade of campus life. Why Higher Ed Leaders Listen: In one of the most consequential periods for academia, we move past the hype to focus on Human-Centered Innovation. Our episodes feature deep-dive interviews with guest experts focusing on the \"real work\" of institutional evolution. Core Topics & AI Strategy: * Artificial Intelligence: Practical AI adoption, governance, and the \"Human in the Loop\" mindset. * Enrollment Marketing: Modern recruitment strategies and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). * Student Success: Data-driven retention, mental health, and digital engagement. * Institutional Transformation: Navigating digital transformation with a focus on workforce readiness and AVPs reimagining student care. Whether you are a C-suite leader, IT Director, or Facult…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-17T20:20:41.808526+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065"},"episode":{"title":"Ep. 72 - Michelle Craig: What Colleges Need to Know Before Gen Alpha Arrives","slug":"ep-72-michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives","published_at":"2026-01-30T09:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065/ep-72-michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065","url":"https://edtechconnect.castos.com/episodes/michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives","audio_url":"https://episodes.castos.com/66cf7b74d67cb0-47099354/2318235/c1e-7o408f9dnz2hd2dnp-ww7z0k0jfonp-o950so.mp3","summary":"Jeff Dillon sits down with Michelle Craig, Director of Marketing and Commercial Operations at AppsAnywhere, to explore the seismic shifts happening in higher education as Generation Alpha prepares to enter college. With two decades of experience at companies like Blackboard, QS Unisolution, and Job Teaser, Michelle shares insights from her groundbreaking research into Gen Alpha—students born between 2010 and 2025. They discuss how this \"Generation AI\" is already using tools like ChatGPT, why 56% expect hybrid learning to be the norm, and the critical challenges institutions face around equity, access, and digital transformation. From rethinking IT strategy to marketing in the EdTech space, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone preparing for the future of student success. Key Takeaways Generation Alpha is “Generation AI” – The first Gen Alpha students will enter higher ed in 2028. Born alongside the iPad and Siri, they are early adopters of AI, with 73% already using or planning to use AI tools. However, they are also acutely aware of tech's downsides, with 72% worried about online safety and data security. Hybrid Learning is the New Baseline – 56% of Gen Alpha believes higher education should be offered in a hybrid format. They expect flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere, driven by personal circumstances like work schedules and the normalization of remote environments. Tech Equity is a Defining Challenge – 96% of Gen Alpha expects institutions to provide the devices and software needed to succeed. Equity isn't just an ideal—it's an operational necessity. Institutions must centralize IT, use data to optimize resources, and ensure access is agnostic of device or location. Institutions Must Set Clear AI Guidelines – With AI use already common in K-12, colleges n…","meta_description":"Jeff Dillon sits down with Michelle Craig, Director of Marketing and Commercial Operations at AppsAnywhere, to explore the seismic shifts happening in hig…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1898,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-signal-7024065/episodes/ep-72-michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065/ep-72-michelle-craig-what-colleges-need-to-know-before-gen-alpha-arrives.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}