AI is transforming higher education, but at what cost to student privacy? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Matt Levine speaks with Chris Uthe, Chief Product Officer at BlackBeltHelp, about how colleges and universities can harness the power of artificial intelligence without compromising the trust at the heart of the student experience.

With campuses storing vast amounts of sensitive data, the conversation dives into how institutions can use AI to enhance student support while staying compliant with regulations like FERPA. As a seasoned expert in education technology, Chris shares insights on cutting through the noise of overhyped AI solutions, streamlining tech stacks, and building ethically sound systems that truly serve students.

Whether you're just beginning your AI journey or looking to sharpen your data privacy strategy, this episode offers timely, practical guidance on the future of AI in higher ed.

E&I Host:
Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Guest:
Chris Uthe, Chief Product Officer, BlackBeltHelp

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

E&I Host:
Dennis Hyde, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services

Guest:
Adrienne Meador Murray, VP for Equity, Compliance, and Civil Rights Services at D. Stafford & Associates

This podcast explores the sweeping changes in Title IX and Title VI enforcement under the new Trump administration, and what those changes mean for higher ed institutions across the country. From landmark Supreme Court decisions to evolving campus policies, we connect the legal history to the real-time challenges institutions now face regarding admissions, athletics, sexual misconduct, and diversity.

As Title IX and Title VI increasingly intersect, the boundaries between them are becoming less clear, making compliance even more complicated. One of the most controversial shifts is the administration’s strict, binary definition of sex, which removes federal protections for transgender students. Institutions that allow transgender women to participate in women’s sports or use women’s facilities are already facing new federal investigations. The return of the 2020 Title IX regulations adds another layer of complexity, strengthening protections for students accused of misconduct while limiting schools’ responsibilities for off-campus incidents. The administration is also widening its scrutiny of colleges, beyond just the Ivy League.

For higher ed leaders, these developments are forcing urgent reassessments of campus policies and civil rights compliance strategies in a rapidly changing landscape.

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

E&I Host: David Manz, Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities
Guests: Michelle Vincent, National Color & Design Manager, The Pittsburgh Paints Company

In this episode, David Manz welcomes Michelle Vincent, a National Color and Design Manager with the Pittsburgh Paints Company, to discuss how color impacts learning in schools and on campus. Color psychology, color theory, primary colors, foundational colors - and how they pertain to creating environments in the education sector, are covered. Michelle discusses how colors can be welcoming and encouraging in certain areas, and how using different types of colors for other areas creates serenity and positive results for students. She covers how lighting and color contribute to education wellness, safety, and security, and how The Pittsburgh Paints Company’s dedicated teams can help our members with this.

Relevant Links:

E&I Pittsburgh Paints Company Contract

The Pittsburgh Paints Company Website

Continuing Education for Professionals

Color Psychology for Education: How Does Color Enhance the Learning Environment?

How Colors Impact Children’s Behavior and Learning | Color Meanings

The Effects of Color on the Moods of College Students - Sevinc Kurt, Kelechi Kingsley Osueke

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.