Chair to Chair: Aaron Baker, Events Chair

Chair to Chair: Aaron Baker, Events Chair

In this May episode of HETMA Presents… Chair to Chair, Erin Maher-Moran sits down with Aaron Baker from Stephen F. Austin State University, who serves as HETMA’s Events Chair. Aaron shares how he found his way into higher ed technology almost by accident, starting as a student worker before stepping into classroom technology work that became a long term professional home. The conversation explores HETMA’s May theme, Fuel the Fire, The Path Forward, through Aaron’s reflections on leadership, community, event planning, InfoComm, and the lessons he is carrying into another year as Events Chair. From virtual conferences to road shows to the HETMA booth experience, this episode highlights how events become more than logistics when they help higher ed AV professionals connect, learn, and find their people. Topics Discussed Aaron Baker’s path into higher ed technologyWorking in AV at a smaller institution Finding community and support through HETMA HETMA’s May theme, Fuel the Fire, The Path Forward Professional growth through networking and learning Leading as someone who is naturally more comfortable in the background Delegation, follow up, and lessons learned from volunteer leadership Planning the HETMA Virtual Conference Preparing for HETMA’s presence at InfoComm Why in person and virtual events matter for the higher ed AV community Connect with Aaron: conference@hetma.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakeraarond/ Connect with Erin: erinmahermoran@hetma.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-maher-moran/ Join the HETMA Community: community.hetma.org This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

Chair to Chair: Jon Youse, Regional Groups Chair

In this episode of HETMA Presents… Chair to Chair, Erin Maher-Moran sits down with HETMA Regional Chair Jon Youse of Ivy Tech Community College for a thoughtful conversation about self-advocacy, career growth, and learning to speak up for yourself even when it does not come naturally. Framed around the monthly theme, “Need for Speed: Self-Advocating,” Jon shares his path into higher education technology, from college TV production and early AV work to managing campus technology in the community college environment. Along the way, he reflects on what it means to work in a setting where resources are limited, priorities are practical, and success often depends on doing the best you can with what you have. The conversation also highlights Jon’s work as HETMA’s Regional Chair, where he helps coordinate road shows that bring networking, professional connection, and industry engagement directly to higher ed professionals in their own regions. Erin and Jon talk about mentorship, patience, continuous learning, and the importance of documenting your accomplishments so others can better understand your value. It is a grounded and honest discussion about advancement that does not rely on bravado, but instead on preparation, consistency, and a willingness to raise your hand when opportunity appears. Topics Discussed * Jon Youse’s path from college TV production into higher education AV and technology * The realities of supporting technology in a community college setting * Why self-advocacy can feel uncomfortable for quieter professionals * Asking for the support and staffing needed when responsibilities expand * How being rifed during the pandemic changed Jon’s perspective on professional value * The importance of documenting accomplishments before asking for advancement * Why higher ed professionals should take advantage of tuition benefits and continuing education * The role mentorship plays in career growth and leadership development * How HETMA road shows create regional connection and community * Jon’s long-term vision for more consistency and refresh planning in campus AV systems Connect with Jon Youse Email: regionalgroups@hetma.org Connect with Erin Maher-Moran Email: ErinMaherMoran@hetma.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-maher-moran/ Join the conversation at community.hetma.org This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

Jackie Young: Innovation is Not Optional

This episode is a deep dive into a joint AVIXA and Logitech research effort focused on the lived technology experience in higher education. Host Ryan Gray speaks with Jackie Young, who leads global marketing for Logitech for Education, about why Logitech invests in human centric research and what the survey surfaced about the connection between classroom technology and overall institutional reputation.      They discuss what it means when hybrid course expectations outpace room performance, why faculty satisfaction shows up as a defining success metric for AV and IT leaders, and how seemingly small friction points can ripple into student and faculty decisions about whether they stay.    The conversation closes with a practical set of pillars from the research and a reminder that future ready planning starts with reliability and intuitive setup today.  Topics Discussed * Who was surveyed and why Logitech partnered with AVIXA  * Why technology experience shapes institutional perception and reputation  * Innovation is not optional and what that means for campus roadmaps  * The hybrid expectation gap and common weekly or daily faculty challenges  * Faculty satisfaction as a primary success metric for AV and IT leaders  * Designing rooms for five minute setups and low stress teaching flow  * Retention risk when technology fails and why it matters financially  * Budget storytelling with numbers and the maintenance and replacement reality  * Flexibility, reliability, and insight as planning principles for learning spaces  * The three pillars: high quality video, crystal clear audio, intuitive setup  Download the research infographic: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/education/education-center/infographic/avixa-research-av-technology.html Host Ryan Gray ryan@higheredav.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray www.HigherEdAV.com Guest Jackie Young, Logitech for Education https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-boyle-young/ This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

Chair to Chair: Andy Vogel, Communications Chair

In this Chair to Chair conversation, Erin Maher-Moran welcomes Andy Vogel from The Ohio State University, HETMA’s Communications Chair, for a candid look at what it really takes to keep a fast growing professional community informed, connected, and genuinely engaged. Andy shares how his career started in the trenches of campus support, including managing high pressure student media workflows, before expanding into central AV support and eventually instructional design inside the College of Engineering.    From there, the episode zooms out to the craft of communication in higher ed technology: why usability and peer proof often beat raw specs, how to explain tech value to non technical stakeholders, and why partnerships with teaching and learning centers can unlock real faculty adoption. Anchored to the month’s theme of leveling up, Andy reflects on building confidence through presenting, staying curious through ongoing learning, and using vulnerability and transparency as a practical leadership skill.   Topics Discussed • Andy’s path from campus AV and classroom support into instructional design  • How HETMA connections grew out of virtual conference involvement during 2020  • Why the Communications Chair role blends newsletters, partners, social, and storytelling  • Translating technical features into value statements that resonate with end users  • The outsized power of peer institutions, case studies, and social proof  • Communicating technology investments through teaching impact, not shiny gear  • Practical ways to get faculty into training, including partnering with teaching and learning centers  • A real world lesson on requirements gathering and why people ask for one thing but mean another  • Leveling up through presenting, starting virtual, then moving into in person formats  • Authentic community storytelling through nuance, listening, and self critique  Erin Maher Moran ErinMaherMoran@hetma.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-maher-moran/  Andy Vogel, The Ohio State University vogel.234@osu.edu   https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vogel/ Join the conversation at community.hetma.org This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.

#Roadto10K and This Month in Higher Ed AV: Live at the HETMA Virtual Conference

Recorded live as the Friday keynote session on Day 3 of the HETMA Virtual Conference, this hybrid episode combines #Roadto10K and This Month in Higher Ed AV into one fast moving conversation. The panel starts with the month’s community theme, Time to Level Up, sharing what each person has improved over the past year, what the turning point looked like, and how they decide what is worth learning deeply versus what only requires functional competence. The second half pivots into a timely industry discussion sparked by an AV Magazine piece that framed growing education AV spend as wasteful and trend driven. The panel unpacks why the tone landed as dismissive, why combining K 12 and higher ed as one story leads to bad conclusions, and how real higher ed purchasing is shaped by governance, accessibility, security, procurement, and lifecycle realities. The discussion also stresses the importance of a healthy feedback loop between campuses, manufacturers, integrators, and the rest of the channel, plus a reminder that burnout helps nobody and stepping away can be part of staying effective. Topics Discussed Live hybrid format and why these two monthly shows were merged for the keynote  Tim’s role change to Rutgers Newark and leveling up leadership, mentoring, and networking knowledge  Britt’s classroom design growth and the hidden skill of time blocking and patience  Gina’s leadership evolution: facilitation over fixing, plus guiding questions as a coaching tool  The 80 percent mindset and why progress and learning can beat perfectionism in real operations  Choosing what to learn deeply based on role, direction, and passion, including learning purely for joy  Neurodivergence, hyperfocus, and the flip side of overwhelm and freeze, plus self awareness about learning style  Tackling discomfort: imposter syndrome, returning to the classroom, and using external accountability  Personal documentation and knowledge transfer as an emotional hurdle, and the parallel to workplace continuity  The AV spending controversy, the AVWeek discussion, and HETMA’s published response pushing back on the framing Articles Discussed: Original article: https://www.avinteractive.com/news/systems-design-integration/are-educational-institutions-wasting-their-money-on-av-14-01-2026/  Discussion on AVWeek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FLQnVhkwlA  HETMA response op ed: https://www.avnation.tv/2026/02/04/oped-higher-ed-is-not-wasting-money-on-av-but-we-are-tired-of-being-talked-down-to/  Join the conversation at community.hetma.org  Host: Ryan Gray LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/  Panel Britt Yenser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-yenser/ Tim Van Woeart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-van-woeart-cts-45416826/  Gina Sansivero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-sansivero/  This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for new content every day.