In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Michael Curtin, Innovation Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty in Informatics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Michael’s path is anything but ordinary — moving between the worlds of video game development and academia, he’s built a rare perspective on how to bridge creativity, technology, and education.
Together, Zach and Michael explore how the skills that make great game designers — experimentation, iteration, and imagination — are exactly what higher education needs to navigate the AI era.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Michael’s story shows that the future of education isn’t just about adopting new tools — it’s about rethinking how we connect creativity, communication, and technology across disciplines.
What happens when you hand powerful AI tools to a curious 7th grader?
You get insights that most adults overlook.
In this special episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Dawson Brown, a 7th-grade student from Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman, Montana. Dawson shares his unique perspective on AI in education—and trust us, he’s got a lot to teach us.
Topics covered:
This is the kind of conversation that will make you rethink how early AI literacy should start—and who should be leading it.
Whether you're an educator, a parent, or just someone interested in how the next generation is learning, this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach Kinzler sits down with Matt Biggins, Managing Director of the Wolverine Fund at Utah Valley University and a dynamic force in student-run venture capital.
From decathlete to venture capitalist, Matt’s unorthodox journey shapes a unique perspective on AI, education, and the future of work. Together, Zach and Matt explore:
Matt’s advice? Use AI to sharpen your thinking, not skip it. And double down on the human skills machines can’t replace.
Whether you're a student, educator, or professional navigating this AI-driven shift, this episode will leave you inspired to think deeper, learn smarter, and stay human.
This special edition of the Smarter Campus Podcast flips the mic.
In this crossover episode, Sean Amaso—student creative, AI skeptic, and host of the brand-new podcast The Other Side—takes the interviewer seat for his show’s very first episode... and his first guest is none other than Smarter Campus host, Zach Kinzler.
Together, Sean and Zach dive deep into:
This isn’t your usual tech hype. It’s honest. It’s critical. It’s thoughtful. And it’s the start of a new kind of AI conversation.
Welcome to The Other Side.
In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Austin French, Director of Career Pathways and Employer Engagement at the University of Maine Farmington and co-host of the More Than the Outdoors podcast.
Austin brings a fresh and relatable perspective to AI integration—not as an expert, but as a “casual user” who had to master AI tools out of necessity. Drawing from his background in outdoor recreation and workforce development, he offers an actionable blueprint for educators and professionals looking to harness AI without feeling overwhelmed.
Key Highlights:
This episode is perfect for educators, workforce leaders, and anyone interested in starting their AI journey with practical, low-barrier steps that create big results.
In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, I sit down with Chris Agnew — ed-tech entrepreneur, experiential learning evangelist, and the driving force behind Stanford’s Generative AI for Education Hub.
Chris shares his unconventional journey into AI, from wilderness expeditions and lab schools to leading Teton Science Schools and working in venture-backed edtech during the release of ChatGPT. His background informs a vision for AI in education that is less industrial and more experiential, personalized, and student-centered.
We dive into:
This episode captures a pivotal moment in AI adoption: one where the right balance between innovation and responsibility could redefine education for the next generation.
In Episode 27 of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach Kinzler is joined by Princeton University student Samantha Reeves for a deep dive into the evolution of AI on campus—from cautious curiosity to thoughtful critique.
🔥 In this episode, we explore:
🎧 Whether you're a student, faculty member, or educational leader, this conversation offers a raw and thoughtful look at how one of the world’s top universities is navigating AI's impact on academic life.
In Episode 26 of The Smarter Campus Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Anzar Khaliq, Chief Learning Officer and an outspoken advocate for reimagining education—entirely from scratch.
With a background that blends physics, improvisational theatre, radio hosting, and educational leadership, Dr. Khaliq shares powerful insights into what teaching should look like in the age of AI.
What We Discuss:
Dr. Khaliq’s message is clear: education must evolve faster than it is—and AI is the catalyst to rethink not just how we teach, but why.
In Episode 25 of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with award-winning educator and AI literacy pioneer Tina Austin to explore what it means to navigate, not master, the age of AI in education.
In this episode:
Tina’s thoughtful, nuanced approach to AI in education is a must-listen for anyone shaping the classroom of tomorrow.
In Episode 24 of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler is joined by EdTech founder and former educator Gary Hensley to explore how AI can solve real problems in education—and what’s holding us back.
Key highlights from the episode:
This is a powerful conversation for anyone passionate about building real solutions for real problems in education.
In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler is joined by Professor Anat Lior, Assistant Professor at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving intersection of AI, law, and education.
Professor Lior shares her journey from researching cyberbullying to becoming a leading voice on AI policy and liability. Together, they explore topics like:
This episode is a powerful primer for educators, legal professionals, and anyone navigating the future of AI governance. Lior’s perspective offers both caution and optimism—encouraging proactive thinking as we build an AI-powered world.
In this episode of Smarter Campus, Zach Kinzler sits down with Marie Lynn, Senior Instructional Designer at the University of Louisville, to unpack how AI is reshaping faculty support and instructional design. With a teaching background that spans preschool to higher ed, Marie brings a grounded and practical perspective to AI integration—emphasizing that it’s not about being tech-savvy but about using the right tools to ease burdens and empower learning.
Marie shares her early interest in AI sparked in late 2022 and how she’s since helped faculty reimagine classroom workflows using AI to foster efficiency, engagement, and goal-setting. She discusses post-pandemic teaching realities, barriers to adoption, and how analogies—like treating your classroom like a clean, well-designed home—help educators see the value of AI. This episode explores the deeper layers of what it takes to build trust in technology and design meaningful, student-centered learning experiences.
In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Daiju Hoshino, a Gen AI Evangelist and Chair of the Biology Department at Tarrant County College. With over 15 years of teaching experience in Japan and the U.S., Hoshino brings a global perspective to the conversation around AI in education.
The episode explores Hoshino’s journey through Japan’s rigorous educational system and how that shaped his passion for student success. He recounts how milestones in AI—like Deep Blue’s victory in Go—sparked his curiosity, eventually leading him to experiment with generative AI tools in both personal and educational contexts.
Zach and Daiju delve into the tension many educators feel about integrating AI into classrooms. Hoshino acknowledges student skepticism around AI’s limitations but emphasizes the importance of developing critical thinking skills through guided, ethical use of these tools. He calls for robust support structures to help faculty and students navigate the evolving AI landscape, especially in fields like English and history where adoption may be more cautious.
From cultural comparisons to practical advice, this episode offers thoughtful reflections on how AI can serve as a partner in education—when introduced with intention, curiosity, and care.
In Episode 20 of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Bobby Hodgkinson, a teaching professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, whose work spans unmanned vehicles, hurricane-sensor robotics, and now—AI-powered education.
What starts as a story about wind tunnels and biologically-inspired propulsion systems quickly evolves into a conversation about something just as dynamic: the transformation of teaching through AI. Bobby shares:
Whether you’re in STEM education or just curious how AI is reshaping how we understand understanding, this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Dr. Cynthia Alby, a professor of Teacher Education at Georgia College & State University and co-author of Learning That Matters: A Field Guide to Course Design for Transformative Education.
Dr. Alby shares her inspiring vision to “re-enchant learning”—making education more engaging, human, and transformative. With decades of experience and research spanning pedagogy, psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, she brings a refreshingly holistic lens to the conversation on AI in education.
Together, Zach and Cynthia explore:
If you're an educator, administrator, or just someone wondering how to use AI without losing the human side of education, this episode is for you.
In Episode 18 of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler sits down with Dr. Steven Pane—professor, concert pianist, and pioneer of interdisciplinary teaching at the University of Maine at Farmington—to explore how AI is reshaping arts and humanities education. They discuss:
Join us for a deep dive into using AI to extend, not replace, human creativity—one conversation at a time.
In Episode 17 of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler sits down with AI integration specialist Maurie Beasley—veteran K–12 teacher, counselor, and tech coach—to explore the real-world steps of bringing AI into schools. They cover:
Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or policymaker, this episode is packed with actionable insights to make AI accessible and empowering for your school community.
In Episode 16 of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler welcomes Anna Shildrick—global education consultant, executive coach, and AI integration leader—to explore AI’s transformative role in education. They discuss:
This deep dive offers educators, administrators, and learners actionable insights on harnessing AI for a more inclusive, innovative educational environment. Tune in and join the conversation on the future of learning!
In Episode 15 of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler sits down with AI policy consultant, debate coach, and author Stefan Bauschard to explore how AI is reshaping education and society. They dive into:
Tune in for a candid discussion on responsibly harnessing AI to unlock positive change—because adapting is everyone’s responsibility.
In Episode 14 of Smarter Campus, host Zach Kinzler speaks with Joe Sabado, long-time UC Santa Barbara IT leader and first-generation grad, about using AI to foster inclusive learning communities. They explore:
Tune in for a grounded conversation on leveraging AI for campus-wide impact—no portraits needed, just big ideas and bold possibilities!
