The TechEd Podcast

Artificial intelligence is totally transforming the world in which we live, learn, and work.

But how exactly does artificial intelligence work? How should industrial employers be leveraging AI? And what can education do to prepare their students for an AI-driven workforce?

Matt Kirchner breaks it all down in this episode. Listen for actionable insights into:

Understanding artificial intelligence: Breaking down key AI terminology so y...

We live in a connected world, where everything from news, to business, finances, health and wellness and our social lives can be accessed and updated in real-time wherever we are. And as technology gets smarter, the information we consume becomes tailored to our specific interests and goals.

Why should the manufacturing floor be any different?

If you're still printing data and charts, laminating it and pinning it to a huddle boar...

In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Michael Lovell, we answer a big question: STEM or Humanities?

If we want well-rounded graduates, then the answer is quite simply, we need both. 

Navigating this balance can be difficult. In the case of Marquette University's Jesuit roots, Dr. Lovell shares how the liberal arts work alongside new innovations in STEM and technology-based programs to produce students with the skills and charact...

How can we do a better job of solving the world's challenges?

When it comes to research and innovation, too often we have siloed teams trying to solve big problems. Instead, we need broader teams of people from different backgrounds, organizations and skillsets to develop solutions together.

In this episode, Dr. Michael Lovell, President of Marquette University, shows us how taking a cross-disciplinary approach to big problems is...

The Oshkosh brand is instantly recognized for its specialty trucks and access equipment. But the company is about more than building the world's toughest equipment; they're committed to making a difference in people's lives. And that means every piece of equipment they manufacture is designed to empower people and keep communities safe.

Leading this charge is John Pfeifer, President and CEO of Oshkosh Corporation, who jo...

Austin Ramirez is an extremely successful CEO, leading Wisconsin-based manufacturer Husco. In addition, he has spent time as a White House Fellow under two US presidents, swam competitively at a national level, and co-founded a non-profit to revitalize democracy. 

In this episode, we talk about the priorities manufacturers should focus on as they lead their organizations into the future. This is excellent advice for industrial emplo...

In this episode, we're talking with Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin's 31st adjutant general and the commander of the Wisconsin National Guard. Our National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are in a unique position, playing the dual role of civilian employee and military service member.  Maj. Gen. Knapp is committed to ensuring Wisconsin's Guardmembers have the support to lead a fulfilling work-home life while proudly serving t...

Self-docking boats, electric outboard motors, IoT-enabled boater safety wearables...this is the future of marine technology, and it's all being developed at Mercury Marine.

In this episode, we're talking with Chris Drees, President of Mercury Marine. The organization is leading the world in marine engine technology, not just on the product design side, but also in their innovative manufacturing processes. 

Learn about how the...

Our goal at the TechEd Podcast is to help bridge the gap between education and industry - to help these entities speak a common language, understand each other's needs and build collaborative partnerships.

In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Bill Pink, President of Grand Rapids Community College, we're talking all things workforce development. We tap into Dr. Pink's extensive knowledge and experience working on the in...

The United States’ nearly 1,000 technical and community colleges have been providing skills-based, career-focused training to communities for over 100 years. It's imperative that higher ed pays attention to the needs of industry in order to fulfill this purpose.

What happens when those needs take a massive shift in a short amount of time?

The way we live, work and learn have all changed in the last two years. Some of these change...

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) is like a freight train coming rapidly down the tracks. While some employers and educators have seen it coming and are preparing their workforce, operations and students...there's a whole group of people who are about to miss the train altogether. 

In this episode, Matt Kirchner helps us understand exactly what Industry 4.0 is, the incredible opportunities smart manufacturing bring...

Dr. Annette Parker is a name known nationwide in higher education. She has a unique career pathway and has used her experience to lead several states through innovative academic transformations. 

Today, Dr. Parker serves as President of South Central College in Minnesota and sits on numerous national academic boards, and in these roles she continues to lead technical education into a bright future.

Educators will be inspired by Dr. P...

Cummins is a global giant in power generation. Their focus on R&D has produced some of the world's most innovative solutions in industries like automotive, rail, marine, mining, construction and agriculture.

To design and create the most high-tech products, Cummins has embraced Industry 4.0 in its manufacturing and supply chain operations, deploying technologies like collaborative robots, 3D printing and next-gen additive ma...

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) is on a mission to make Wisconsin the best place in the nation to do business. 

The state's largest business association was recognized as the State Chamber of the Year in 2020 by the Council of State Chambers (COSC), primarily for its innovative efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In this episode, we talk with WMC's President and CEO Kurt Bauer about the organization's effort...

The KOHLER brand is recognized worldwide for everything from kitchen and bath appliances to generators and hospitality. But they're also known for their social impact initiatives, which seek to improve the lives of their associates, community members and individuals across the globe.

In this episode,  Laura Kohler, the company's Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Stewardship and Sustainability, shows us the impact a g...

The University of Wisconsin-Stout prioritizes applied learning, career-focused education and collaboration, leading to a 97%+ placement rate for its students!

The model of a polytechnic university is truly unique and is perhaps the best way to prepare our students for today's highly skilled careers. In this episode, we're talking with UW-Stout's Chancellor Dr. Katherine Frank and Interim Provost Glendali Rodriguez to...

The Fender brand is synonymous with all things rock n' roll. But what does it actually take to build a Fender guitar? In a fascinating discussion with Ed Magee, Executive Vice President of Operations at Fender, we talk about how the worlds of music and manufacturing collide in more ways than meets the eye.

And Ed's role goes beyond the manufacturing process. He's a strong advocate for building our STEM and technical trad...

In part two of our series with Chancellor Mark Mone and Provost Johannes Britz of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, we're talking all about research. UWM is one of the few universities in the nation with the R1 distinction - the highest level designation for research activity a university can attain. 

In this episode, we talk about what it takes to maintain this distinction and some of the research projects being carried ou...

How can education meet the needs of diverse student populations, particularly those in urban regions? In this two-part series, we're joined by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone and Provost Johannes Britz to look at how universities can face the socio-economic challenges of their communities while providing top-tier academic experiences to students.

In this first episode, we focus on the challenge of lead...