AV/IT Amplifier
Higher education institutions rely on audio-visual (AV) and information technology (IT) solutions as a key backbone for modern teaching and learning. The AV/IT industry plays a critical role in providing these solutions, and it is important to highlight the latest trends, innovations, and perspectives in this sector. The podcast “The AV/IT Amplifier” aims to fill this gap by featuring interviews with people from Higher Education Institutions and the AV/IT Industry who have an idea, concept, perspective, event or product that would be helpful or interesting to the target audience of higher education technology managers. The host of the...
136: You Never Go Full Bald with Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly returns to The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast for week two with Ryan Gray, and the conversation picks up right where the first one left off: part Higher Ed AV Media strategy, part neurodivergent team therapy session, part comedy riff about baldness, gifts, and why some people should absolutely not be forced to sing an improvised jingle on command. Chris, Senior IT Support Specialist at Creighton University, HETMA Advisory Board Chair, and Managing Editor for Higher Ed AV Media, talks about his role supporting volunteer contributors, helping build consistency, and creating a structure that encourages people rather than making...
135: The Managing Editor with Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly returns to The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast for a conversation about media, volunteerism, accessibility, and what it means to help amplify voices across the higher education AV community. Chris, Senior IT Support Specialist at Creighton University, HETMA Advisory Board Chair, and newly announced Managing Editor for Higher Ed AV Media, talks with host Ryan Gray about how his deep engagement with higher ed AV content eventually turned into a larger role helping shape, edit, and support the platform itself.
This episode is also a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep a volunteer-driven media ecosystem...
134: They Don't Sit in the Classroom Like I Do with Mike McHugh
Mike McHugh is back for Part 2, and this half of the conversation opens up into something bigger than a technical discussion. Ryan and Mike talk about what it really takes to stay current in a field that never stops moving, from relying on trusted partners and professional communities to making room, when possible, for demos, articles, and the constant work of learning. They also dig into AV over IP, not as a buzzword or blanket answer, but as one tool among many that has to be weighed against cost, scale, reliability, and the real needs of a particular space.
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133: It Might Just Be Future Mike with Mike McHugh
In Episode 133 of AV/IT Amplifier, Ryan Gray talks with Mike McHugh of Goshen College about what it means to build a career, and a legacy, at a small institution where everybody knows everybody and the work is always personal. Mike shares what it has been like to spend more than two decades at a 900 student college in northern Indiana, doing everything from classroom technology support and system design to campus events, athletic streaming, video, and recording. The conversation gets at something a lot of higher ed AV people will recognize right away: when the school is small, the team...
Special: HETMA Presents... Live Keynote from the HETMA Virtual Conference
Recorded live as the Friday keynote on Day 3 of the HETMA Virtual Conference, this AV/IT Amplifier crosspost pulls a fast moving hybrid conversation from sister show HETMA Presents, combining #Roadto10K and This Month in Higher Ed AV into one session.
Host Ryan Gray is joined by Britt Yenser, Tim Van Woeart, and Gina Sansivero to unpack the month’s community theme, Time to Level Up, and get specific about what leveling up actually looks like in real careers, real teams, and real life.
The first half is personal and practical: leadership shifts, classroom design gro...
132: The AV Nerd with Tom Segers
Ryan is back on the ISE 2026 show floor for Part 2 with Tom Segers, an AV professional supporting Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Belgium across multiple campuses. Tom shares what it looks like when a hobby becomes a career, and why being detail minded is not just a personality trait, it is survival in higher ed AV.
From WhatsApp culture in Europe to the very real complexity of LED walls, 4K workflows, and teacher friendly BYOD realities, this episode stays practical and human. It ends on a simple truth that will feel familiar to anyone in our...
131: Work Together To Make Some Difference with Tom Segers
Recorded live at the HETMA booth on the show floor of ISE 2026, Ryan sits down with Belgium based higher ed AV leader Tom Segers from Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. They talk about what it looks like to support AV at scale with a tiny central team across multiple campuses, and why global community matters when higher education needs a louder voice in an industry that often defaults to corporate assumptions.
Tom also shares a Europe specific lens that will feel immediately relevant to US listeners: multilingual collaboration, privacy expectations for students on camera, and why audio q...
130: Catch You On The Flipside with Issac Abbs
Isaac Abbs returns for week two and the conversation leans hard into the human side of senior leadership: how an introvert survives a job that demands constant presence, how you build buy in like a coach building a locker room, and how you create real moments of recognition when your team is the one taking the calls and absorbing the heat. Along the way, Isaac shares what he has learned about getting comfortable being uncomfortable, why delivery matters more than content when you are on stage, and why storytelling is the skill that makes the message land.
It i...
129: Trust Drips In and Pours Out with Isaac Abbs
Ryan Gray is joined by Isaac Abbs, Chief Information Officer at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Isaac walks through what the CIO role really demands in higher ed—leadership, clarity, and the ability to solve problems at a level that changes outcomes for the institution. He reflects on his career path (public sector to higher ed and back), why the CIO role appealed to him early, and what it means to lead technology in a way that helps people get somewhere they didn’t think was possible.
From there, the conversation gets practical: the m...
128: If You Think Nobody Cares, You're Wrong with Thomas Eastlack
Week two with Thomas goes deeper into the inner mechanics of growth: how confidence gets built (and rebuilt) in real time, how “needing people” can be both a strength and a signal, and what it looks like to stop outsourcing your own decisions. Ryan and Thomas talk candidly about learning to move forward without requiring constant external reassurance—and how that shift changes the way you show up in work and life.
The conversation also hits the human layer underneath the job titles: believing there’s good in the world, the cost of giving too much without replenishing yourself...
127: Don't Lose Yourself with Thomas Eastlack
After a stretch of inconsistency, Ryan kicks off 2026 with a simple promise: the show is back, and the conversations are the fuel. In this in-person episode, he sits down with Thomas Eastlack, a familiar face at Yavapai College who recently moved from the IT service desk into a newly created role supporting HR technology.
Thomas unpacks the shift from reactive “break/fix” work to proactive systems thinking—ticketing workflows, website iteration cycles, chatbot training, and the early push toward cloud-first habits. But the heart of the conversation is service: empathy, trust, and the mindset that k...
126: Wish You Were Asked? 2025
We close out 2025 with a listen back to some of our favorite guests this year and their answers to the questions they wish to be asked.
Stay tuned for new episodes of The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast in 2026!
Connect with Ryan
@Ryan_A_Gray
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray
ryan@higheredav.com
Voiceover by Chris Dechter
Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!
This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!
125: RTM Higher Education Fall 2025
Recorded on-site in Austin, this cross-conversation episode (in partnership with RTM Business Group’s Inside Innovation) brings together fast takes from the Fall Higher Education CIO Congress. We open with RTM’s Mica Spanos on how listening to practitioners—and getting them into the same room—drives a program that’s useful in a world that never quite calms down. Cole McFarren (University of Arizona Global Campus) shares the online-only perspective: the surprising value of “out-of-scope” sessions and the energy that comes from meeting peers face-to-face.
Then Scott Smith (Director of Digital & Instructional Innovation) ta...
124: Gray Matter Moment: Leadership Odyssey
Sometimes leadership doesn’t begin with a grand vision—it begins with a text. In this introspective Gray Matter Moment, Ryan Gray records from the shores of Puerto Peñasco during his family’s annual October trip and reflects on a recent experience that brought personal vulnerability into the spotlight. He had been invited to co-lead a session at Yavapai College’s “Students of Leadership” retreat, an intensive three-day mountaintop experience for emerging student leaders. The theme? The phoenix.
What unfolded was a powerful exploration of the relationships that shape a leader’s story—those closest to you in your venture...
123: The Dude with BC Hatchett
BC Hatchett returns for week two with a laid-back, life-and-leadership conversation that ranges from higher-ed purpose to… blacksmithing. We kick off with Halloween costumes (the Dude abides), detour through first jobs and Louisville summers on a greenskeeping cart, and land on why twenty years at Vanderbilt still feels mission-right. BC talks candidly about what keeps him in higher ed: watching students arrive, grow, and cross the stage — and the joy of playing even a small role in that arc.
From alternate careers (blacksmith or welder) to travel dreams (three months of go-where-the-dart-lands), BC keeps it human and funny. We g...
122: The Godfather with BC Hatchett
This week, Ryan catches up with BC Hatchett, Director of Classroom Technology at Vanderbilt University and co-founder of HETMA. They talk about shifting from “manager” to “leader,” handing the reins to the next crew, and why letting go (and then cheering from the sideline) is a healthy sign of organizational growth. BC also keeps it real about the pace of higher ed—no more “quiet summers”—and how to stay sane by breaking big things into small, winnable pieces.
Then they pivot to Nashville: HETMA’s Roadshow lands at Vanderbilt on Monday, October 27, perfectly teeing up EDUCAUSE (Oct 28...
Crossover - HETMA Presents... David Lopez
Special Crossover this Wednesday - Your podcast with Ryan fix will be sated!
Today on HETMA Presents..., Ryan sits down with David Lopez, Global Director of Education Strategy at ScreenBeam, to unpack how wireless display has evolved from a convenience feature to a core building block for learning spaces. David traces the roots from Intel WiDi and Miracast to today’s multi-OS reality (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome) and explains why standards-based casting still matters for scale, support, and security. From there, the discussion widens: what higher ed actually needs beyond “put your screen on the wall,” how to ens...
121: If It's Broke, Fix It with Dustin Myers
In this second half of Ryan’s conversation with Dustin Myers of John A. Logan College and HETMA, the discussion dives into the balance of professional commitments, personal life, and community involvement in higher education technology. Dustin shares how his early InfoComm experiences transformed from solitary tech browsing to full-blown community immersion, illustrating the power of connection and professional development through HETMA. The two talk candidly about managing travel, family, and campus responsibilities while still staying deeply engaged in national conversations.
The episode also takes a lighter turn, exploring Dustin’s improv and forensics background, his love of burg...
120: Trying to Figure Out How to Control That Chaos with Dustin Myers
Dustin Myers—Manager of Technology Support at John A. Logan College and HETMA’s two-year at-large board member—joins Ryan to talk about running lean teams that still deliver big results. He breaks down how a 10–11 person IT org moved from rigid silos to a customer-focused, cross-trained culture, and why communication is the real glue when you’re juggling desktop support, classrooms, theaters, events, construction, and the help desk. Dustin shares how a leadership reset and a college-wide realignment opened the door to standardization, shared language across subteams, and the freedom to “let it fail forward” without losing trust.
They also...
119: Gray Matter Moment - Radical Acceptance
In this Gray Matter Moment, Ryan takes a thoughtful pause from guest conversations to explore a concept that’s been personally transformative for him: radical acceptance. Sparked by a presentation at Yavapai College’s convocation, he reflects on the psychological roots of the idea, its practical applications in leadership and technology, and how it connects to everyday challenges across higher education.
From acknowledging reality without judgment to understanding the circles of control, influence, and concern, Ryan connects these lessons to AV/IT scenarios like AV over IP, organizational change, and team dynamics. He emphasizes that acceptance is not the...
Interstitial - Without Fail...
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118: Always Love and Set The World On Fire With It with Jon Gunzel
In this second week of conversation, Ryan Gray welcomes back Jonathan “Jon” Gunzel from John A. Logan College for another lively and candid chat. They dive into Jon’s biggest fear—spiders—and the surprising fact that he’s been bitten four times by brown recluses. Despite his arachnophobia, Jon shares that owning a pet spider would symbolize conquering his fears. The discussion winds through topics from cage diving with great white sharks, to customer service lessons learned as a bartender and liquor store employee, to the elusive secret behind why restaurant ranch dressing tastes so much better than bottled.
J...
117: I Don't Wanna Say Cult with Jon Gunzel
In this episode of the AV/IT Amplifier podcast, host Ryan Gray talks with Jon Gunzel of John A. Logan College about managing AV, IT, and event support in a small college environment. Jon shares how his team covers everything from laptops and desktops to Q-SYS audio systems and classroom support, and why having one department handle all technology has unique advantages and challenges. They dive into how centralized support can reduce communication barriers but also create bottlenecks when staffing is lean, especially during peak times like the start of a semester.
The conversation also explores John A...
Crossover: HETMA Presents... This Month in Higher Ed AV: July 2025
This debut episode of This Month in Higher Ed AV kicks off a monthly panel discussion reviewing key content posted to Higher Ed AV Media. Host Ryan Gray is joined by Jon Gunzel of John A. Logan College, Renee Benson of Sony Professional Display Solutions, and Erin Maher-Moran, Chair of HETMA from Johns Hopkins University. Together, they explore major trends and insights shaping the higher ed AV landscape, all grounded in fresh articles and columns.
The discussion dives into HETMA’s Road to 10K membership growth ca...
116: Oh Gosh Ryan with Atkins Fleming
Recorded live at the HETMA Roadshow in Chicago, this week’s episode continues the conversation with Atkins Fleming, Assistant Director for Learning Spaces at Texas State University and Treasurer of HETMA. Picking up where Episode 115 left off, this candid discussion drifts from music to meaning, from fake Zoom backgrounds to the real impact of integrity in leadership.
Atkins and Ryan go deep into what drives decision-making, the slippery slope of compromised values, and why being a steady, ethical presence in an organization is more powerful than we think. Along the way, they get a little lost in 90s co...
115: Building Structure That Can Be Replicated with Atkins Fleming
Recorded live at the HETMA Chicago Roadshow on the campus of Northwestern University, this episode features a candid and insightful conversation with Atkins Fleming, Assistant Director for Learning Spaces at Texas State University and current Treasurer of HETMA. Ryan finally manages to sit down with Atkins after years of crossing paths, and the result is a conversation full of heart, structure, and purpose.
Atkins walks listeners through his HETMA origin story, his evolution from a university AV tech to an administrative leader, and the behind-the-scenes work it takes to run a financially responsible, volunteer-led national organization. From tax filings...
114: I'll Marry Tom Felton One Day
In this completely off-the-rails, hilariously human second installment, Rebecca Wade returns to the AV/IT Amplifier for a wide-ranging and joyfully unpredictable conversation that barely touches technology—and that’s exactly the point. What begins as a follow-up to her work with Igloo Vision turns into a full character study as Rebecca opens up about introversion, extroversion, road-tripping across America with only the Twilight soundtrack, and the emotional weight of being British in the U.S. the week the Queen died.
Ryan and Rebecca riff through a kaleidoscope of absurd hypotheticals, tall-girl tales, celebrity sightings (or lack thereof), and...
113: It Never Goes Away with Rebecca Wade
In this immersive episode recorded live from the HETMA booth at InfoComm 2025, host Ryan Gray sits down with Rebecca “Bex” Wade of Igloo Vision to explore the transformative role of shared immersive spaces in education. From her nickname on her badge to her engineering team’s creative geometry problem-solving, Bex brings energy, humor, and insight to every corner of the conversation.
Together, they dig into the flexible applications of Igloo’s tech—from virtual field trips to paramedic simulations to massive esports arenas. They also unpack the supportive community forming among higher ed institutions adopting immersive spaces, offering examples of peer-to...
112: If You're Reading This, It's Already Too Late with Frank Alaimo
In this episode of the AV/IT Amplifier, we’re back with the one and only Frank Alaimo, Manager of Classroom Technology Services at UNLV, for part two of our conversation. If you thought the first episode was candid, insightful, and full of AV realness, buckle up. We go deeper into career resilience, camping disasters, philosophical takes on human nature, and what it really means to be a no-nonsense decision-maker in higher ed tech.
Frank opens up about rejection, redemption, and why knowing your worth makes you a better collaborator. We talk vendor etiquette, leadership clarity, tr...
111: What Would Frank Do? with Frank Alaimo
Ryan Gray interviews Frank Alaimo, Manager of Classroom Technology Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Frank shares his journey from crashing on a friend’s couch to leading one of the most respected AV teams in higher education. They discuss what it takes to build a culture of trust, how to lead without losing your hands-on instincts, and the balance between autonomy, accountability, and just getting things done.
The conversation covers leadership transitions, designing teams like projects, and how UNLV’s Rebel Flex program was developed, scaled, and even simplified—sometimes without telling anyone. Frank brings...
110: The Gray Matter Moment - State of Tradeshows
Live from the InfoComm Show Floor, right before opening Ryan gives us an update of where the state of industry tradeshows is and where its going! Whether your at the show this week or at home get a feel for whats happening and whats to come.
105: You're Gonna Do Great with Charity Anne Caldwell
We’re back for a brand-new second conversation with Charity Anne Caldwell — and this time we’re keeping it fun, insightful, and future-focused! Charity and Ryan swap stories about running for school board, building more inclusive spaces in tech, and why conferences like InfoComm are about so much more than just the gear. Charity also shares her sci-fi favorites, what makes great leadership in higher ed, and why asking “Why are we doing this?” is always a good place to start.
If you’re packing for InfoComm, tuning in on the road, or just thinking about growing your career — this one’s for...
104: We Only Exist If We All Exist with Charity Anne Caldwell
Ryan Gray is joined by Charity Anne Caldwell, Classroom Technology Supervisor for the University of Illinois College of Medicine. In this lively conversation, they explore the unique culture of working in a medical school environment, the tension between tradition and innovation in higher ed, and how personal idealism can shape leadership.
Charity shares insights about navigating institutional politics, the evolving role of IT in education, and how staying mission-driven sustains long-term fulfillment. From boundaries and burnout to community-driven strategies for survival, this episode captures the spirit of building meaningful careers — on purpose, not by accident.
...
107: Then You Get The Magic Frog with Jon Hamilton
Welcome back to The AV/IT Amplifier! In Episode 107, host Ryan Gray sits down again with the one and only Jon Hamilton, Senior AV Manager at Emory University’s School of Medicine. Jon is a well-known voice in the higher ed AV world, and this episode gets personal — touching on everything from alternative career paths and deep-sea fishing to building trust, forging partnerships, and staying true to your word.
💡 In this episode:
Jon imagines his own absurdist podcast ideaDiscusses why military structure might’ve suited himExplains how being an extrovert helped his AV career...
106: Basket of Ducks and Bunnies with Jon Hamilton
What happens when a former dinosaur-hunting integrator turns higher ed AV hero? In this episode, Ryan reconnects with Jon Hamilton — a man whose AV origin story begins in the ’80s and who now serves as a trusted fixture in the higher ed AV landscape.
From aggressive integrator days to nurturing secret-service-style classroom support, Jon shares hard-won insights, hilarious metaphors, and a grounded philosophy on service, leadership, and staying calm when tech — or people — break down.
Jon’s AV career evolution from thermal fax machines to Emory MedThe “giver” mindset and being proud of being the solid guyW...
103: Be Curious, Not Judgmental with Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly returns for Part 2! Ryan and Chris pick up where they left off, diving into everything from AV tech spaces that feel like “home” to the personal and professional journeys that shape us. Chris shares insight into his transition from mental health counseling to IT, how he approaches major life decisions, and why taking a pay cut for the right opportunity can be life-changing.
The conversation also explores the realities of introversion in people-heavy fields, the art of self-care at conferences like InfoComm, and the often unseen resilience behind career pivots. Plus, Chris reveals his unique bucket list...
102: Advisory Advice with Chris Kelly
We roll past 100 with momentum! Ryan Gray interviews Chris Kelly, a senior IT support specialist at Creighton University. Chris shares his unique journey from social work to the AV and IT field, emphasizing the importance of human interaction in technology. The discussion explores the intersection of psychology and technology, the value of advisory boards in the AV community, and how individuals can get involved in these initiatives. Chris's insights highlight the significance of continuous learning and the human element in technology support.
Chris transitioned from social work to IT and AV due to burnout.He emphasizes the importance...
101: The Amplifier - 100th Episode Special Part 2
In Part 2 of the AV/IT Amplifier’s 100th episode celebration, Ryan is joined by an expanding cast of brilliant and chaotic friends from higher ed and beyond—including Robyn Bryce, Jon Hamilton, Tom Aldridge, Lyle Waldron, and Britt Yenser.
What starts as a continuation of gratitude and reflection quickly evolves into a deeply honest conversation about amplifying unheard voices, leading through constant change, and finding resilience in uncertain times. Along the way, listeners are treated to improvised wisdom, pro-wrestling aspirations, and the occasional philosophical detour into the ethi...
100: The Main Thing - 100th Episode Special Part 1
Welcome to a very special 100th episode of the AV/IT Amplifier!
What started as a casual invite to past guests turned into an unscripted, heartwarming, and hilariously chaotic reunion of AV/IT voices from across higher ed. Ryan is joined by Adrian Doughty, Robyn Bryce, Jon Hamilton, and Evan Gray in this first of a two-part celebration. From the origins of the show’s three-digit numbering scheme to deep dives into wisdom vs. knowledge, mentorship, and the challenges of modern leadership—this episode captures the soul of what the podcast has always been about: curiosity, connection, and some...
099: Taking the Opportunity to Mentor with Patrick Angielczyk
We're back with week 2! Ryan Gray and Patrick Angielczyk discuss the significance of trade shows in the AV industry, the importance of lifelong learning, and the value of mentorship. Patrick shares his experiences at ISE, his passion for music and lean manufacturing, and his pride in mentoring others in the AV field. They also explore networking opportunities and the role of the Rising Professionals Council in career development.
Trade shows like ISE are crucial for networking and learning.Lifelong learning is essential in the AV industry.Mentorship can take many forms and doesn't have to be formal.The worst...
