In Episode 13 of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Victoria Davis—aka the Cool Cat Teacher—to explore how AI is rewriting the rulebook in education. Victoria shares her journey from writing code at age seven to shaping classrooms as a Computer Science and Digital Film teacher, IT director, and award-winning blogger. Together they discuss:

• How AI’s progression “goes viral” once it hits a tipping point (thanks to insights from Peter Diamandis’s The Future Is Faster Than You Think)
• The critical role of educators in unpacking AI’s ethics and debunking bias for students
• Practical examples of incorporating AI tools into media literacy courses
• Why understanding technology’s moral and ethical dimensions is as important as mastering the tools themselves

Get ready for a lively conversation that blends real-world teaching, cutting-edge tech, and a “cool cat’s” perspective on why AI shouldn’t be feared—it should be thoughtfully embraced. Tune in and discover how to prepare the next generation of learners for a world where change accelerates at lightning speed.

Join host Zach Kinzler on Smarter Campus as he sits down with Ruth Slotnick, Director of Assessment at Bridgewater State University and a national thought leader in accreditation and assessment strategy. They explore:

• Ruth’s journey from personal tech solutions for her learning difference to leading campus-wide assessment initiatives
• The influx of new assessment practitioners from diverse fields, and what it means for higher ed
• The moment AI became impossible to ignore—and how influencers like Donald Clark and Ethan Mollick shaped Ruth’s perspective
• Strategies for embracing AI in assessment without fear, transforming accreditation and learning experiences
• Why presence and engagement are crucial to navigating AI’s rapid evolution

Discover how AI can revolutionize assessment practices and empower educators to create data-driven, future-ready learning environments.

In Episode 11 of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Dr. Allison Lester from Arizona State University to explore how AI and action research can spark real-world impact. As an AI educator and action researcher, Dr. Lester shares how she weaves community-based projects into media literacy courses, secures grant funding, and champions collaborative structures in classrooms—drawing on her roots as a special education teacher. Tune in to discover how AI tools can bridge education and community, fuel meaningful learning experiences, and empower learners beyond the campus walls.

In this episode of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Lara Taylor, Purdue Polytechnic doctoral candidate and instructional technologist at Mississippi State, to trace her journey from library stacks to AI frontlines. Lara shares how her master’s research on machine-learning chatbots and search algorithms in SEC libraries ignited her passion for generative AI—long before ChatGPT put it on everyone’s radar.

They dig into the early wins and growing pains of launching an “Emerging Technologies Committee” (think VR, AR, and AI), building a tech‑literacy framework, and shifting a traditionally slow‑moving library world into high gear. Laura’s top advice? Don’t fear the future—“jump in and join the party.” Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or simply AI‑curious, you’ll come away with concrete strategies for overcoming resistance, empowering students, and unleashing creativity far beyond the classroom. Tune in to see how AI can transform your campus—one chatbot at a time.

Join Zach Kinzler on Smarter Campus as he sits down with Joe Faith, Assistant Professor at Harding University and PhD candidate in AI & Machine Learning at George Washington University. They dive into Joe’s journey from “tinkerer” to AI educator—how a clever academic “loophole” fast‑tracked his rise, the launch of Harding’s brand‑new AI program, and his hands‑on approach to teaching Python, R, and data analytics. Learn why Joe believes breaking down fear, ditching the rigid “checklist” mindset, and infusing fun into the classroom are the keys to cultivating future-ready engineers. Whether you’re curious about making AI approachable or reimagining higher-ed pedagogy, this episode is packed with practical insights and

Join host Zach Kinzler as he sits down with Dr. Tawnya Means, Assistant Dean for Educational Innovation at UIUC’s Gies College of Business, to explore how generative AI is reshaping teaching and learning. With over 15 years driving technology-infused pedagogy, Dr. Means shares:

• Her journey from designing K-12 and higher-ed learning systems to leading large-scale online innovation programs
• Why the “AI-proof assignment” mindset is a dead end—and how embracing AI can unlock richer, more personalized learning experiences
• Practical strategies for supporting faculty as they adopt and integrate the latest AI tools
• Real-world examples of generative AI in action, and how it can elevate both student engagement and instructional design

Tune in for a forward-looking conversation that moves beyond fear of cheating to a vision of AI as a powerful partner in education’s next chapter.

In this heartwarming episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, 9-year-old AI enthusiast Emily joins Zach to show us why artificial intelligence isn’t as scary as it seems. Drawing on her brilliant “shadow” analogy—how a dark shape can feel frightening at first but soon becomes just another way to see yourself—Emily walks us through the simple steps anyone can take to get hands-on with AI. Tune in for her inspiring stories, playful outlook, and practical encouragement that prove AI is for everyone—no magic wand or secret password required!

In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Marc Watkins, Assistant Director for Academic Innovation at the University of Mississippi, to explore how AI is actually being used in the classroom today. Marc shares real-world best practices for integrating AI into teaching, from assignments to academic integrity. They also dive into what big AI companies are doing—what’s working, what’s not—and where this technology might take us next. If you want a grounded, practical look at AI in education, this is the episode to hear it.