Welcome to Cooperatively Speaking, a podcast by E&I Cooperative Services.
Each episode, we discuss the topics most important to procurement and end-users at schools and universities.
Season: 5, Episode: 34, Category: Facilities
Interested in exploring smarter, cleaner, and more strategic air filtration for the places that keep our campuses running? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Starla Ford from E&I speaks with Tim Deleon from Filtration Concepts regarding one of the most referenced but least understood standards in our world, ASHRAE 52.2, and what it really means for campus facilities. Tune in for an inciteful discussion about what ASHRAE and MERV standards are and why they were instituted, filters in general, air filtration challenges, filter inventory challenges institutions face, how to select the right filters for your campus environment, indoor air quality and air quality ratings—and what this all means for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools nationwide.
Starla Ford
Sales Enablement Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Tim Deleon
Director of Marketing & Sales, Filtration Concepts
Season: 5, Episode: 33, Category: Student Health
Listen as Allison Lambert is joined by Sarah Wood from Workplace Options to discuss why child and family wellbeing has become a critical priority for K–12 schools and higher education institutions. Tackling this growing challenge, Sarah shares insights on rising mental health needs, caregiver burnout, and the increasing complexity of support systems, while highlighting how integrated wellbeing services can better support students, families, and school communities. This conversation offers practical strategies for decision makers looking to strengthen student success, staff resilience, and family engagement in an evolving educational landscape.
Season: 5, Episode: 32, Category: Travel
In higher ed, international travel safety is crucial. With studies abroad, research collaborations, global partnerships, and athletics, managing risk and protecting people is crucial. But many travel programs have not kept up with need, and schools are left with more exposure to risk than they may know. 280,000 students study abroad each year, and many institutions don’t know where all their travelers are. In this podcast, E&I and CTP discuss how institutions can help keep their college president from taking a dreaded midnight phone call to learn that traveling students are in harm’s way.
Dennis Hyde
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Morgan Hoyt
VP of Business Development & Account Management, CTP; Ben Rader, Director of Business Development, CTP
Season: 5, Episode: 31, Category: Research & Scientific, Dental, Procurement
Allison Lambert
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Mark Scelfo
U.S. Managing Director, Bimos
Season: 5, Episode: 30, Category: Procurement
Join Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager from E&I, as he hosts Sheila Lehker, President of Cizek Associates to talk about the true costs associated with filling roles with interim hires. As retirements mount and people begin leaving the workforce, higher education has turned to interim staff members to help fill vacancies. Whether this is a strategic move to intentionally fill the role or a financial move to attempt to save dollars, the impact can be felt across a campus. Hear from Sheila as she and Matt dive deep into the true impact of interim fixes.
Matt Levine
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Sheila Lehker
President, Cizek Associates
Season: 5, Episode: 29, Category: Procurement
What happens when shared values meet shared vision? In this conversation with Rick Herrmann, VP/GM of Public Sector at Staples, we explore the origins of Staples’ sponsorship of E&Is EdPro NextGen Leadership Program and why leadership development in education matters now more than ever. From investing in people, not just products, to preparing future-ready procurement leaders, Rick shares Staples’ commitment to driving meaningful impact in education and where this partnership is headed next.
Casey Laurienzo
Vice President, Community Engagement & Education, E&I Cooperative Services
Rick Herrmann
VP/GM of Public Sector for Staples Business
Season: 5, Episode: 28, Category: Procurement
Listen as Matt Levine is joined by Scott Nostaja from Segal to talk about the current state of higher education finances and the need for universities to determine how to better align their spending during this evolving climate. Tackling this tough conversation, Scott shares insights on common inefficiencies, legacy costs, and external pressures shaping campus budgets, while offering practical strategies for workforce planning, prioritizing resources, and making bold organizational changes. This conversation provides a clear roadmap for navigating the financial challenges facing higher education while seizing opportunities for sustainable growth.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Scott Nostaja
Senior VP, Segal
Season: 5, Episode: 27, Category: Research & Scientific
In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking Allison Lambert speaks with Grant Wicks, Director of Sales at Patterson Veterinary Supply, about how institutions can simplify procurement and elevate veterinary care. From AI tools that deliver radiograph results in minutes to strategic sourcing that reduces administrative burden, Grant reveals how Patterson’s partnership with E&I makes it easier than ever for universities to do more with less. With access to over 80,000 SKUs—including thousands of competitively priced essentials—Patterson is a one-stop procurement partner built for higher ed.
Allison Lambert
E&I Category Marketing Manager, Veterinary Services
Grant Wicks
Director of Sales, Patterson Veterinary Supply
Season: 5, Episode: 26, Category: Supplier Inclusion
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, supplier inclusion is facing new scrutiny – and new urgency. In this insightful episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Titus Martin sits down with three respected voices in the field—Reginald Layton, Ralph Moore, and Jesse Moore—for a candid and actionable discussion on advancing supplier diversity in higher education and beyond.
Titus Martin
Executive Director of ESG, E&I Cooperative Services
Reginald Layton
RGMA Chief Technology Officer and former Vice President for Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Sustainability at Johnson Controls International
Ralph Moore
Founder & President of RGMA and a Supplier Diversity Advisory Council member; Jesse Moore, (Retired) Architect of the Purdue University’s Supplier Diversity Program
Season: 5, Episode: 25, Category: Research
In this eye-opening episode of Cooperatively Speaking, host Allison Lambert sits down with Dr. Krista Rantanen of Baker to explore a commonly overlooked, but critical, factor in biomedical research: oxygen. They discuss how most human tissues operate at much lower oxygen levels than what’s used in traditional lab settings, and why that matters. From cancer research to stem cell studies, Dr. Rantanen explains how replicating real oxygen conditions can lead to more accurate, reliable science. The episode also touches on common misconceptions, simple tips for getting started, and emerging technologies making low-oxygen culture more accessible.
Dr. Krista Rantanen
Director of Scientific Applications, Baker
Allison Lambert
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Season: 5, Episode: 24, Category: Technology
What does it take to build a resilient cybersecurity strategy in higher education – especially with limited resources and rising threats? Tobey Coffman, Chief Information Security Officer at Ball State University, and Ron Pelletier, founder of Pondurance, share how their partnership grew from a single pen test into a fully managed, 24/7 detection and response program. Together, they break down the real-world challenges campuses face, the tipping point that led Ball State to invest in around-the-clock protection, and what makes a vendor-university relationship truly work.
Matt Levine
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Carlos Fernandez
Director Specialist, Microsoft
Season: 5, Episode: 23, Category: Technology
In Part 2 of our “Unlocking AI in Education” series, host Matt Levine and Microsoft’s Carlos Fernandez explore the next frontier in AI-enabled transformation: Copilot Agents. Unlike traditional chatbots, these intelligent agents are designed to automate complex, repetitive processes—freeing up time for both students and faculty. Carlos discusses real-world applications, from streamlining course registration to enhancing student services, and shares how even non-technical users can build and customize these tools.
Matt Levine
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Carlos Fernandez
Director Specialist, Microsoft
Season: 5, Episode: 22, Category: Technology
In the first episode of our three-part series on Microsoft Copilot, host Matt Levine sits down with Carlos Fernandez, Director Specialist at Microsoft, to explore Copilot Chat – a transformative AI tool reshaping how students and educators engage with content. Carlos shares real-world examples of how institutions are using Copilot to boost student outcomes and enhance teaching strategies. From simplifying research to streamlining faculty workflows, Copilot Chat is making a measurable impact. Tune in to hear how AI is evolving in higher education and what to expect in the future.
Matt Levine
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Carlos Fernandez
Director Specialist, Microsoft
Season: 5, Episode: 21, Category: Technology
What does it take to build a resilient cybersecurity strategy in higher education – especially with limited resources and rising threats? Tobey Coffman, Chief Information Security Officer at Ball State University, and Ron Pelletier, founder of Pondurance, share how their partnership grew from a single pen test into a fully managed, 24/7 detection and response program. Together, they break down the real-world challenges campuses face, the tipping point that led Ball State to invest in around-the-clock protection, and what makes a vendor-university relationship truly work.
Matt Levine
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Tobey Coffman
Executive Director of Information Security and Chief Information Security Officer, Ball State University
Ron Pelletier
Founder & Chief Customer Officer, Pondurance
Season: 5, Episode: 20, Category: Student Affairs, Student Health, Athletics
Dennis Hyde
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
James Nussbaum
Partner at CCHA & Jodie Ferise, Partner at CCHA
Season: 5, Episode: 19, Category: Technology
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. 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 education.
Matt Levine
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Chris Uthe
Chief Product Officer, BlackBeltHelp
Season: 5, Episode: 18, Category: Student Affairs, Athletics
This podcast explores the changes in Title IX and Title VI enforcement under the Trump administration, and how the boundaries between them are becoming less clear. Dennis Hyde is joined by Adrienne Meador Murray, the VP for Equity, Compliance, and Civil Rights Services at D. Stafford & Associates. Adrienne discusses how administrators have some uncertainties about compliance, and are forced to reassess policies that affect admissions, athletics, sexual misconduct, and diversity. New enforcements of Title IX and Title VI may provide more protections for students being accused, reduce school liability for off-campus incidents, and a stricter binary definition of sex.
Dennis Hyde
Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Adrienne Meador Murray
VP for Equity, Compliance, and Civil Rights Services at D. Stafford & Associates
Season: 5, Episode: 17, Category: Facilities
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities
Michelle Vincent
National Color & Design Manager, The Pittsburgh Paints Company
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
Season: 5, Episode: 16: Category: K-12, Procurement , Technology
Sue Peters
E&I Vice President K-12 Engagement
Rick Gay
Executive Director of Business Services, Fort Bend ISD and Emily Rosenburg, PaymentWorks Regional Director
Season: 5 | Episode: 15 | Category: Student Affairs
On your campus, a shocking video can go viral in an instant. 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. Jeff discusses how local incidents can rapidly escalate into global news. He outlines how to transparently manage crises with speed and agility. Jeff explains how Legend Labs assists schools in conducting vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential crisis points. This podcast discusses addressing the challenges that keep college presidents up at night.
Dennis Hyde
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Erol Bal
HP Sales Navigator at B&H
Season: 5 | Episode: 14 | Category: Student Affairs
In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, E&I’s Dennis Hyde is joined by Erol Bal from B&H. The podcast discusses how by not upgrading to Windows 11, students and faculty will lose protections from cyber threats. This podcast discusses new features with Windows 11, including Microsoft CoPilot, which helps students stay organized and optimizes the power of their laptop. B&H can help find the optimal device for your students and faculty, instead of the most expensive device.
Dennis Hyde
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Erol Bal
HP Sales Navigator at B&H
Season: 5 | Episode: 13 | Category: Procurement
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.
Eric Frank
E&I CEO
Greg Shabram
Chief Procurement Officer, University of Oregon
Season: 5 | Episode: 12 | Category: Procurement
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.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Casey Laurienzo
E&I Vice President of Community Engagement & Education
Season: 5 | Episode: 11 | Category: Student Health
As schools face ongoing challenges around student mental health, Becca Finnegan from DialCare offers a vital solution. DialCare’s telemedicine platform provides unlimited therapy sessions with experienced therapists, available seven days a week. Becca highlights the funding challenges and troubling counselor-to-student ratios schools are grappling with and discusses DialCare’s free grant writing program to help secure essential mental health resources for students.
Allison Lambert
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Becca Finnegan
DialCare Sales Manager
Season: 5 | Episode: 10 | Category: Student Health
Discover how Geri-Care Pharmaceuticals equips institutions with essential over-the-counter (OTC) products to address student health needs year-round. In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Teresa Pugliese, Vice President of Sales at Geri-Care, discusses their extensive product line—including pain relievers, allergy medications, and digestive aids—tailored for campus health centers and stores. She emphasizes proactive approaches to health management, the importance of accessible care, and Geri-Care’s plans to enhance student wellness initiatives. Geri-Care products and services are available through E&I’s Medline contract.
Allison Lambert
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Teresa Pugliese
VP of Sales, Geri-Care
Season: 5 | Episode: 9 | Category: Procurement
Explore the looming challenges in higher education as Ben Kennedy from Kennedy and Company joins E&I’s Matt Levine to discuss proposed federal funding cuts. Hear from Ben as he outlines critical issues such as Pell Grant funding, the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and the impact on university enrollment strategies. Kennedy offers actionable insights for higher education professionals to navigate these challenges and maintain a positive campus experience amid fiscal uncertainties.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Ben Kennedy
Kennedy & Company Managing Partner
Season: 5 | Episode: 8 | Category: Travel
In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, E&I’s Dennis Hyde speaks with Anthony Travel about safer academic travel. This podcast discusses how duty of care is the responsibility of both the university and the travel management company. We discuss how technology impacts duty of care, and how to navigate travel emergencies. The podcast recounts real-life scenarios that highlight the importance of preparedness.
Dennis Hyde
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Jill Dawson
Director, Collegiate Travel Solutions, Anthony Travel
Crystal Timmerman
Director, University Travel, Anthony Travel
Season: 5 | Episode: 7 | Category: Student Affairs
Campus mail centers are busier than ever, with package volumes increasing year after year. How can schools keep up? Dennis Hyde sits down with Chris Giles, VP of Enterprise Sales at Pitney Bowes, to explore how technology is transforming campus mail operations. From improving efficiency to ensuring security and accountability, they’ll cover the key strategies to help schools streamline mailing, shipping, and receiving.
Dennis Hyde
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Chris Giles
Pitney Bowes VP of Enterprise Sales
Season: 5 | Episode: 5 | Category: Procurement
AI is revolutionizing higher education—but where does the hype end and real impact begin? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Matt Levine sits down with AI experts Ken Anderson and Tyler Higgins from AArete to explore the good, the bad, and the future of AI in academia. From generative AI to campus-wide automation, they break down what institutions need to know now.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Ken Anderson
AArete Manager for Higher Education
Tyler Higgins
AArete Managing Director
Season: 5 | Episode: 4 | Category: Technology
Discover how predictive analytics and AI empower educational institutions to anticipate cyber threats, assess vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. Join Matt Levine and Microsoft’s Corey Lee as they explore strategies for proactive security, balancing automation with human oversight, and the critical role of AI in safeguarding sensitive research. Learn how schools can enhance their cybersecurity posture, achieve efficiency gains, and protect valuable data in today’s dynamic threat landscape.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Corey Lee
Security CTO for Microsoft Education
Season: 5 | Episode: 3 | Category: Technology
Join Cisco cybersecurity expert Don Bryant and E&I host David Manz as they navigate the high-stakes world of higher ed cybersecurity. They explore the evolving cybersecurity landscape in higher education, offering practical strategies to combat data breaches, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Don provides expert advice on security frameworks, strategic partnerships, and leveraging AI to counter sophisticated threats—emphasizing the importance of culture, credible audits, and continuous innovation.
David Manz
Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Don Bryant
Cybersecurity Architect for the Public Sector, Cisco
Season: 5 | Episode: 6 | Category: Procurement
What happens when hiring goes wrong? Matt Levine from E&I and Alonzo Martinez from HireRight break down two real-life cases where skipping critical background checks led to major PR disasters for educational institutions. From overlooked criminal records to ignored warning signs, they’ll reveal the costly consequences of cutting corners in the hiring process—and share expert tips to help HR teams protect students and safeguard reputations.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Alonzo Martinez
Associate General Counsel, HireRight
Season: 5 | Episode: 2 | Category: Procurement
Partnerships are crucial in any space, especially in higher education. With declining resources and increasing expectations, the power of partnerships has never been more important. In January 2024, E&I and ABACC partnered to provide higher education finance and business professionals with support and resources to help them achieve their mission and goals. Tune in to learn about how this partnership came together, the impact it is having, and the work that went into ensuring its success.
Matt Levine
E&I Category Marketing Manager
Bruce Hoeker
Executive Director, Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges
Joe Castelluccio
Director of Business Development at E&I
Season: 5 | Episode: 1 | Category: Supplier Diversity
How can technology unlock the potential of supplier diversity programs? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Titus Martin chats with Molly O’Brien from Supplier.io about how accurate data empowers organizations to identify diverse suppliers, measure impact, and create compelling reports. Packed with insights, this discussion highlights innovative tools and strategies to enhance supplier diversity efforts and drive meaningful change in higher education and beyond.
Titus Martin
Executive Director, Supplier Diversity
Molly O’Brien
Supplier.io
Have an idea for an upcoming episode? We want to hear from you! Contact us at podcast@eandi.org.
Starts in April
