{"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. 81 - Devin Purgason: Who Owns the Student Journey in the Age of AI","slug":"ep-81-devin-purgason-who-owns-the-student-journey-in-the-age-of-ai","published_at":"2026-04-03T08:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065/ep-81-devin-purgason-who-owns-the-student-journey-in-the-age-of-ai","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065","url":"https://edtechconnect.castos.com/episodes/devin-purgason-who-owns-the-student-journey-in-the-age-of-ai-1","audio_url":"https://episodes.castos.com/66cf7b74d67cb0-47099354/2398188/c1e-x6v0kf1m466sn0n48-okpojwp2fn4v-gotknm.mp3","summary":"Join Jeff Dillon as he sits down with Devin Pergason, AVP for Student Experience, Marketing & Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College, to dissect the evolving landscape of higher education. This episode tackles a critical question: why are community colleges currently best positioned to drive student success? Pergason argues that their inherent “student-first” mission – unlike research universities attempting to retrofit a student-centric model – gives them a significant advantage. The conversation centers on the urgency with which institutions must engage with emerging technologies, particularly AI, mirroring the same dedication they bring to the classroom. Pergason emphasizes a shift away from traditional marketing approaches that “market *to* students” towards strategies designed *for* their needs. He highlights how Forsyth Tech built a groundbreaking student care model – integrating support services directly with marketing – creating a unified approach for genuine engagement and lasting impact. Ultimately, this episode explores whether community colleges are truly ‘getting there’ in embracing the technological conversation, and what it takes to ensure students receive the support they need to thrive. Key Takeaways: Community College Advantage: Pergason argues that their existing mission – prioritizing student success – makes them uniquely positioned for innovation. Student-First Marketing: A critical discussion on moving beyond traditional marketing tactics and focusing on what truly matters to students. Integrated Systems are Key: The importance of combining student care services with marketing within a unified organizational structure. Urgency in Technology Adoption: The need for community colleges to approach technology – particularly AI – with the same…","meta_description":"Join Jeff Dillon as he sits down with Devin Pergason, AVP for Student Experience, Marketing & Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College, to dissect…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1667,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-signal-7024065/episodes/ep-81-devin-purgason-who-owns-the-student-journey-in-the-age-of-ai/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-81-devin-purgason-who-owns-the-student-journey-in-the-age-of-ai.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}