In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eric Kim, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Modo Labs, to explore how mobile technology has reshaped higher ed—and where it’s headed next. From Modo’s origins at MIT (inspired by Kabuki stagehands!) to its global impact today, Eric shares how universities can break down silos, leverage AI, and design experiences students actually love.
Hear how early adopters like Sacramento State pioneered mobile registration and food insecurity alerts, why personalization is no longer optional, and how TikTok-era expectations are forcing a rethink of campus apps. Eric also reveals why higher ed’s collaborative spirit hooked him for life, the surprising industries borrowing from campus tech, and his bold vision for AI-powered “conversational” interfaces.
Key Takeaways:
- The “Kurogo” Philosophy
- Modo’s original name and ethos come from Kabuki theater’s unseen stagehands—making the impossible seamless for users.
- Early wins (like Sac State’s parking heat maps) solved real pain points, but many schools still duct-tape siloed systems instead of unifying experiences.
- Students expect apps to adapt like TikTok: “They assume systems know everything—so they demand value in return.”
- Modo’s AI chatbot drove 235% app usage spikes at Arkansas Pulaski by answering questions in natural language.
- Major financial firms copied campus apps for employee experience—proof universities pioneered workplace tech.
- Student-built Modo tools (food truck trackers, mental health aids) reveal unmet needs.
- Jeff’s confession: “Sometimes progress happens before policies catch up.”
- “Measure engagement with life, not clicks. Did your app help someone’s day?”
Listen Now for a masterclass in designing campus tech that students actually use!
Find Eric Kim here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejkim/
Modo Labs
And find EdTech Connect here:
Web: https://edtechconnect.com/
Chapters
- (00:00:00) - What's the value of the App?
- (00:00:35) - Interview: Eric Kim
- (00:01:50) - Moto Labs: The Way of Mobile
- (00:03:34) - In the Elevator With Facebook's Andrew Yu
- (00:04:11) - Moto: Make Mobile Awesome for Everyone
- (00:07:29) - What Can Tech Companies Learn From Serving Other Industries?
- (00:08:56) - The Common Mistake in the Digital Experience
- (00:10:08) - Moto Learning: The Creative Uses of the Platform
- (00:13:30) - How to Build a Connected Future
- (00:15:27) - University Apps for Personalization
- (00:19:54) - What trends are you watching closely
- (00:21:35) - What's Keeps You Connected to Higher Ed?
- (00:25:07) - How to Design for Students, Faculty and Staff
- (00:26:49) - How Modo Labs is enabling multi-platform IT
- (00:28:32) - How to Upgrade Your Digital Campus Experience
- (00:29:54) - EdTech Connect
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.