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May 01 2019
Data Analytics

The 2019 Dean’s List: EdTech’s 30 Must-Follow Higher Education IT Influencers

In blogs, podcasts and tweets, these 30 influencers are shaping the conversation about university IT and education.

Peer-to-peer advice can help campus leaders navigate the fast-changing waters of educational technology. For influential voices on university innovation, look no further than our annual Dean’s List, a compilation of the must-read bloggers and social media influencers who are exploring the role of technology on campus.

Just as university technology continues to evolve, we’ve expanded our Must-Read IT Blogger list to bring you a broader, more eclectic mix of higher education professionals across the various media streams on the web today.

Did your account make the list? If so, grab our influencer IT cover image for your Twitter page to share with your followers.

Check out our previous compilations for 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Mike Tholfsen
Mike Tholfsen

Mike Tholfsen, a principal product manager for Microsoft Education, focuses on learning tools and Microsoft Teams for education. He taps his years of expertise to share best practices and new updates for classroom technology.

Derek Bruff
Derek Bruff

Derek Bruff is the director of the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching and a senior lecturer in the school’s department of mathematics. His podcast, “Leading Lines,” explores creative, intentional and effective uses of technology to enhance student learning.

EdSurge On Air
Jeffrey R. Young and Sydney Johnson

“EdSurge On Air” is a weekly podcast by Jeffrey R. Young and Sydney Johnson about the future of education, featuring insightful conversations with educators, tech innovators and scholars.

Josie Ahlquist
Josie Ahlquist

Josie Ahlquist connects tech and leadership in education. Her podcast features leaders and new media professionals both on campus and online, from senior vice presidents using Snapchat to YouTubers receiving billions of views.

Bryan Alexander
Bryan Alexander

Bryan Alexander is an internationally known speaker, consultant and teacher who engages with fascinating individuals at the forefront of campus transformation. His weekly trends forum features interviews with inspiring professionals about the future of learning.

Bonni Stachowiak
Bonni Stachowiak

Bonni Stachowiak's podcast, “Teaching in Higher Ed,” explores the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. With strategies for increasing personal productivity, she helps professors create more space to accomplish their own work and be more present for students.

Sophie Bailey
Sophie Bailey

Sophie Bailey, a former technology events coordinator, uses compelling storytelling on her podcast to improve the dialogue between the worlds of education and technology.

eCity Interactive
eCity Interactive

eCity Interactive's “Hashtag Higher Ed” podcast offers biweekly coverage of all aspects of higher education marketing, with input from professionals in admissions, marketing, career services, alumni relations and other departments.

BreakDrink
Jeff Jackson and Laura Pasquini

Jeff Jackson, a lecturer at the school of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, and Laura Pasquini, a lecturer at the University of North Texas, host “BreakDrink,” a podcast that covers everything from professional development to technology integration with a fun, casual approach.

Campus Labs
Campus Labs

Campus Labs’ podcast is a deep dive into data in higher education, featuring one-on-one conversations with education professionals on data governance, analytics and other key topics.

UP Tech Talk
Ben Kahn and Maria Erb

As the hosts of the “UP TechTalk” podcast, Ben Kahn and Maria Erb host faculty and other members of the University of Portland teaching and learning community for conversations about technology in education. They highlight successes, issues and challenges related to integrating technology into the curriculum.

Ryan Straight
Ryan Straight

In his biweekly podcast, “The New Professor,” Ryan Straight, an assistant professor of educational technology at the University of Arizona, asks guests to reflect on what it means to be an educator and a learner in the current higher ed landscape.

Joe Hardenbrook
Joe Hardenbrook

As the library director at Carroll University, Joe Hardenbrook shares insight into the innovations and technological applications happening in libraries and how they’ll affect education as a whole.

UPitt Information Technology
Pitt Information Technology

The University of Pittsburgh's IT department puts a unique, visual spin on IT, combining compelling photography with news bites and professional tips.

Marshall University IT
Marshall University Information Technology

Marshall University's IT department serves students, faculty and staff with technology-related posts and visuals. The account also offers updates and IT advice that can be useful for any university campus.

Mike Chapple
Mike Chapple

Mike Chapple is an associate teaching professor of IT, analytics and operations at the University of Notre Dame and the author of dozens of books. His social media account offers a unique perspective for higher education IT leaders.

Michigan Tech IT Team
Michigan Tech

Michigan Technological University's blog helps faculty, students and staff excel in teaching, learning and research. Posts deliver practical content for a campus audience, including cybersecurity tips, new Google features and more.

Florida State IT Services
Florida State ITS

Florida State University's IT department uses its Twitter page to give followers tech news, trends, tips, support and a “daily dose of nerdiness.” 

Anant Argawal
Anant Argawal

Anant Argawal combines his technical expertise and years of experience as an MIT professor to reach thousands, teaching them about the latest innovations in higher education.

Office of Education Technology
U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Technology

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Technology's Twitter account highlights research, events, programs and other resources designed to help campus leaders optimize the role of technology in learning.

Allan Golston
Allan Golston

Allan Golston, who leads the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's efforts to advance educational opportunity and student achievement, is attuned to digital equity and other issues that affect students’ success during and after college.

CMU Innovation
CMU Innovation

Carnegie Mellon University's Integrated Innovation Institute breaks down the barriers that stall innovation. On social media, it showcases members’ next-generation technology and research.

Kelly Walsh
Kelly Walsh

Kelly Walsh, CIO and instructor at the College of Westchester, shares tips and best practices to help educators prepare for digital integrations on their campuses.

Michael Feldstein
Michael Feldstein

Michael Feldstein is a partner at MindWires Consulting, co-publisher of the e-Literate blog, and co-producer of e-Literate TV. His Twitter account and blog help higher education professionals stay up to date on online learning innovations.

Michael Zimmer
Michael Zimmer

A privacy and internet ethics scholar, Michael Zimmer focuses on the importance of data privacy and digital citizenship and shares tips for being a responsible member of the digital community.

Remi Kalir
Remi Kalir

Remi Kalir is an assistant professor of learning design and technology at the University of Colorado Denver School of Education and Human Development. Kalir’s Twitter followers can stay updated on his research concerning digital pedagogy and student engagement through technology, as well as the latest news on digital education equity.

Robert Talbert
Robert Talbert

Robert Talbert, a professor and assistant chair in the Grand Valley State University Department of Mathematics, writes about math, technology, education and productivity on his blog.

Terri Griffith
Terri Griffith

Terri Griffith's blog helps readers prepare for the future of work. Her writing offers clear examples and frameworks for succeeding through a combination of leadership and technology.

UCF Digital Learning
UCF Digital Learning

The University of Central Florida's podcast “TOPcast” hosts higher education professionals for discussions about technology in higher education, including data analytics, digital equity, online learning and other topics.

Tech Edvocate
Matthew Lynch

Matthew Lynch, the editor of theTech Edvocate blog, offers advice on technology leadership and integration, as well as helpful tips and lists for college-level educators and IT leaders.