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.

E&I Host: Sue Peters, E&I Vice President K-12 Engagement
Guests: Rick Gay, Executive Director of Business Services, Fort Bend ISD and Emily Rosenberg, PaymentWorks Regional Director

Payment fraud is an increasing threat to school district budgets—but it doesn’t have to be. In our latest episode of Cooperatively Speaking, we’re joined by Emily Rosenberg of PaymentWorks and Rick Gay of Fort Bend ISD to discuss how districts can proactively protect themselves through smarter vendor onboarding and cross-functional collaboration.

Learn how to spot vulnerabilities, implement low-effort fraud prevention strategies, and take advantage of E&I’s trusted partnership with PaymentWorks to simplify and secure your processes. Whether you’re facing fraud now or want to stay one step ahead, this episode is packed with practical guidance you won’t want to miss.

Tune in now to get ahead of payment fraud and protect what matters most—your district’s financial health.

Make sure to visit E&I Cooperative's EdPro Hub, a vibrant digital space where educators can connect, collaborate, and grow. Contributors will benefit from peer-to-peer knowledge transfer, dynamic chat, discussion groups, virtual workshops, events, and a searchable knowledge base. These features are all designed to foster a dynamic and inclusive community where education procurement professionals can thrive. Visit today: https://community.eandi.org/s/.

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, E&I Category Marketing Manager
Guest: Jeff Hunt, Partner at Legend Labs

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, E&I’s Dennis Hyde is joined by Jeff Hunt, founder of Legend Labs and author of Brand Under Fire: A New Playbook for Crisis Management in the Digital Age. Legend Labs specializes in branding and campus crisis assessments and management. Jeff discusses how, in today's digital era, local incidents can rapidly escalate into global news. He outlines essential principles for institutions to authentically and transparently manage crises with speed and agility. Additionally, Jeff explains how Legend Labs assists schools in conducting vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential crisis points. This podcast discusses campus crisis issues and strategies for addressing the challenges that keep college presidents up at night.

Relevant Links:

• E&I Legend Labs Contract
• Legend Labs Website

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, E&I Category Marketing Manager
Guest: Erol Bal, HP Sales Navigator at B&H

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, E&I’s Dennis Hyde is joined by Erol Bal from B&H. B&H sells tens of thousands of computers and laptops to students and schools annually. Erol answers questions about the new Windows 11 upgrade, and points out that Windows 10 will still be operational, but students and faculty will lose important software updates that protect them from cyber threats. Erol also discusses the new features around Copilot, which helps students stay organized and optimizes the power of their laptop. Windows 11 offers additional upgrades including asset tagging, so enterprise customers can easily disable a device if a laptop goes missing. Erol even discusses how schools sometimes "over buy" in laptops they think they need, and how B&H can be a consulting partner to help find the optimal device for your students and faculty, instead of the most expensive device.

Relevant Links:

• E&& B&H Contract
• B&H Website
• E&I Podcast | Procuring Apple Products at B&H: The New Certified Apple Reseller for Higher Education
• "Unboxing" Apple Products on Campus, and Why an Apple Reseller Certified for Higher Ed May Save Time and Money

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: Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager
Guest: Casey Laurienzo, E&I Vice President of Community Engagement & Education

For over 90 years, E&I has championed the power of its membership, ensuring institutions have the resources they need to succeed. As the only member-owned sourcing cooperative dedicated to education, we’re deepening our investment in the field by expanding learning opportunities for members nationwide. In this episode, Matt Levine, E&I Category Marketing Manager, sits down with Casey Laurienzo, VP of Community Engagement and Education, to explore E&I’s latest initiative—Educational Forums—and how they’re designed to support and empower the education community.

Relevant Links:
E&I's EdPro Educational Forums

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: Eric Frank, E&I CEO
Guest: Greg Shabram, Chief Procurement Officer, University of Oregon

With financial pressures mounting on educational institutions, how can procurement teams navigate today’s challenges? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Eric Frank, CEO of E&I, is joined by Greg Shabram, Chief Procurement Officer at the University of Oregon, to explore the trends driving uncertainty in the sector. They discuss how cooperative procurement can be a flexible tool to help institutions tackle rising costs, regulatory pressures, and financial strain. Greg shares his insights on why E&I’s member-owned approach provides unique value and flexibility to procurement leaders.

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.