Higher Ed AV Podcast

What is a compliment sandwich? What is the best method for giving feedback and growing your team dynamics? Lex Peters, CX Design and Support Analyst at the University of Southern California and Creative Director of Higher Ed AV, joins the show to discuss and drops a solid hour of golden advice for every manager and team member. Lex also points out the difference between how women and men are given and receive feedback. Lex concludes with her vision for the future of Higher Ed AV... Oh, and plugs her side hustle.Connect with Lex Peters on Twitter at @NiceOneLex and on LinkedIn. Check out her website at https://www.niceonelexcreatives.com and her NOL Creatives column at https://higheredav.com. Learn more about the University of Southern California at https://www.usc.edu.

COVID forever changed the way we work and how we do conferences. The move to virtual in 2020 created a unique opportunity for conference organizers Raul Burriel (Oregon State University), Kae Novak (Front Range Community College), and Kristin Rivedal (Colorado Community College System), to join forces for a "Mega Conference." Listen as we discuss the 2021 Virtual Conference of NW/MET, eLearning Consortium of Colorado, and NW eLearn, coming April 7-9, 2021.Learn more about the event at: Register for this year's conference at: http://www.elearningcolorado.org/conference.html. https://elcc.corsizio.com/c/5ff7910a7eb2d1dbcd23829a. Learn more about the Northwest Managers of Educational Technology (NW/MET), eLearning Consortium of Colorado, and the Northwest eLearning Community, at their websites. And be sure to connect with Raul Burriel, Kae Novak, and Kristin Rivedal on LinkedIn.

Get to know Higher Ed AV's March Tech Manager Spotlight! Erin Maher-Moran, Multimedia Services Manager at Johns Hopkins University joins the show to discuss her tech journey, how the industry has evolved, women in AV, and classroom technology at Johns Hopkins University. Connect with Erin Maher-Moran on Twitter at @Smearin_Off_Ice and on LinkedIn. Learn more about Johns Hopkins University at https://www.jhu.edu.

Community and relationships are the key to success in the higher ed vertical. Today, we welcome James King of Stockton University to celebrate the 1-Year Anniversary of his Higher Ed AV/IT Slack Channel. We discuss the growth, some of our favorite conversations, and the impact on the higher ed av vertical. To join the Higher Ed AVIT Slack Channel, connect with James King on Twitter at @AV_JamesKing and on LinkedIn.

There ain't no party like a Clubhouse App party, 'cuz a Clubhouse App party don't stop. On this episode, we welcome on a who's who of the AV industry to this live no holds barred, let the conversation go where it may, spontaneous conversation. We cover everything from looking forward past COVID, to relationship building, to sales, to manufacturer and integrator relationship, and everything in between. Sit back and enjoy!

What is common across all AV verticals? The fact that to be successful, you must develop strong relationships. We are in the people business, not the tech business. AV is just the vehicle to achieve a goal. Van Metschke of Vantage Pro AV and the Church Tech Profiles Podcast (and former Church Tech Weekly Podcast) joins the show to discuss the importance of leading and shepherding people. We discuss the similarities and differences in our two verticals, and how Van is the reason this podcast even exists.Connect with Van Metschke on Twitter at @TheSoundBooth, on LinkedIn, and at https://www.thesoundbooth.com. Follow Church Tech Profiles on Twitter at @ChurchTechPro, and listen and subscribe at https://www.churchtechprofiles.com. Learn more about Vantage Pro AV on Twitter at @AVLVantage and online at https://www.vantageproav.com.

The move from live production into higher ed commercial integration has both rewards and challenges. Will DeWitt, AV Engineering and Infrastructure Manager at College of Charleston joins the show to discuss moving from nine years serving as the director of media services in house of worship, through a year as broadcast engineer at Trident Technical College, and now his first year at College of Charleston. We talk about the importance of getting involved with the higher ed community, HETMA, The AV Life, InfoComm, and even whether I'm a better podcast host or guest?!?Connect with Will DeWitt on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-dewitt-16713214a/. Learn more about College of Charleston at https://www.cofc.edu.

Where's the line between pedagogy and technology? How do you truly find out the needs of your customers during this time of change and pandemic response. Greg Koerner, Digital Classroom Services Manager at Michigan State University, joins the show to discuss. We all talk about HETMA Conference, the importance of investing in the higher ed community, InfoComm moving to October, and also why Joe is still bitter about a 2500 year old rivalry. Connect with Greg Koerner on Twitter at @gkern and on LinkedIn. Learn more about Michigan State University online at https://www.msu.edu.

In this episode, Joe reads an open letter penned to the AV industry, reflecting on the experience of receiving from his fire. There is no way to ever express the totality of his gratitude. This is the first attempt. Read and download a copy of the "Open Letter" at: https://higheredav.com/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjczNDUiLCJ0b2dnbGUiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D.

The current trend in higher education AV departments is to become an In-House Integrator, but Yavapai College has been doing everyone in-house for years. Ryan Gray, Technical Integration Manager, joins the show to discuss the similarities and differences in serving students and faculty at the community college level, as well as the advantages of having an in-house team. We also discuss upcoming projects, Crestron programming, the merging of AV and IT, the importance of engaging with the greater AV and higher ed community (like to invite yourself on the show), #AVFitness, and we hear how Joe was actually wrong about something (I know, hard to believe).Connect with Ryan Gray on Twitter at @Ryan_A_Gray and on LinkedIn. Learn more about Yavapai College at https://www.yc.edu.

The Higher Ed AV podcast was created as a resource for sharing information and building community. For Andrew Potter, Technical Director at Prairie College in Canada, that was exactly the case. Andrew shares his story from discovering the Church Tech Weekly podcast while serving in church tech and hearing Joe Way on as a guest of Van Metschke, leading him to begin listening to the Higher Ed AV podcast. This set him up for success when transitioning into higher ed. We talk about the advantages and challenges of being at a small rural Christian college... making me reminisce of my time at CBU. Oh, and find out the interesting reason why I'll never forget this recording!Connect with Andrew Potter on Twitter at @AndrewPotter88 and on LinkedIn. Learn more about Prairie College at https://www.prairie.edu.

Today, we get a return visit from Mike Pedersen, Audiovisual Experience Manager at Iowa State University, and this month's Tech Manager Spotlight, Presented by Sennheiser. We discuss how his role at Iowa State has developed in the two years he's been on staff, his well-deserved AVNation AV Professional of the Year nomination, HETMA Conference, the AVIXA Tech Managers Council, the Big 12 tech manager group, the Iowa STEM Council, and even how he serves his church in helping to stream their services. Check out his Tech Manager Spotlight here: https://www.higheredav.com/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjY5MjIiLCJ0b2dnbGUiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D.Connect with Mike Pedersen on Twitter at @ped1971 and on LinkedIn. Learn more about Iowa State University at https://www.iastate.edu.

When us higher ed peeps get together to talk shop, good things happen. It was such good conversation that I asked the group if I could run the conversation as a podcast episode. Enjoy listening as we discuss buying direct, certifications, why you should vote Mike Pederson for AV Professional of the Year, HETMA for Virtual Event of the Year, and much more!

As many are aware, this last week my life was turned upside-down from an electrical house fire that destroyed my home, the three cars, and nearly every one of our possessions. Thankfully we are all safe, but now begins the long journey of getting back to normal. The outpouring of support for me and my family from my AV, higher ed, and church community has just been amazing. Humanity is beautiful, and God is always good. Today, I take a moment to say thank you and give an update, as well as a stream on consciousness play-by-play of the events of the fire and the gratitude I feel toward you all. Thank you for all the help, love, encouragement, and many many tears of joy from your heartfelt compassion. What a huge testament to the power of #AVGivesBack. I love you all. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! You can see and contribute to the GoFundMe at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/joe-ways-house-fire-fund. Be sure to follow #AVGivesBack, #AVinTheAM, and @HigherEdAV on Twitter. Also, #VoteForMike and #VoteForHETMA in the AVNation Awards!

This month's Tech Manger Spotlight (Presented by Sennheiser) guest, Frank Alaimo, Senior Audio Video Systems Specialist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, joins the show to discuss my team's recent visit out to UNLV. We talk about their user-first configuration of Crestron Fusion and touch panels and the new Dolby Atmos theater (and how it's being used during the pandemic. We walk through the new Blackfire Innovation building, featuring eSports, AR, VR, a makerspace, open office design, and incubation lab, discussing how UNLV is uniquely positioned to connect students with industry. We complete the episode talking about the need for connecting with our people. COVID has done a lot for bringing us together, but nothing beats in-person connection, fellowship, and a beer. And... the "soapbox" returns for the second straight week, and it is a good one! Connect with Frank Alaimo on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-alaimo-cts-i-dmc-e-4k-01872466/. Learn more about the University of Nevada at Las Vegas at https://www.unlv.edu.