Gravyty CEO Justin Beck Talks AI and Human Connection on Higher Ed Conversations

Gravyty CEO Justin Beck discusses AI and human connection on the Higher Ed Conversations podcast

Team Gravyty

Gravyty’s CEO Justin Beck joined host Cheryl Broom on the latest episode of Higher Ed Conversations, the podcast for higher ed marketers sponsored by EdTech Connect. Their conversation centered on AI and human connection, and how colleges can make room for both. The episode is live now.

Today, colleges face pressure to personalize communication, improve retention, and support students earlier. Often, they’re doing it with fewer staff and tighter budgets. At the same time, AI is shifting from something campuses experiment with to something they need a real strategy for. Justin and Cheryl spent the episode on what that shift looks like in practice. They also explored how technology can strengthen human connection instead of crowding it out.

Justin Beck’s path from Blackboard to the AI era

Justin has spent more than two decades in EdTech, with leadership roles at Apple Education, Blackboard, Kaltura, Salesforce, and Instructure. Along the way, he’s watched higher ed move through several big turning points. For example, he saw doubts about online learning fade as the learning management system (LMS) became central to campus life.

Now, he sees another major shift underway. Institutions are trading disconnected point systems for connected engagement that spans the full lifecycle, from prospect to student to alumni and donor.

“The opportunity to help institutions navigate that change is ultimately what pulled me here,” Justin said.

Highlights on AI and human connection

AI should free up time for the work that matters most. Justin argued that AI’s biggest value is handling the simple questions and routine workflows so staff can focus on high-value moments. That way, staff can focus on high-value moments. As a result, an advisor carrying 500 students can zero in on the 25 who are at a critical point. In Justin’s words, “95% of the folks working in this space are here for all the right reasons. They’re here for the student.”

Real personalization means knowing the whole student. For example, a student who asks a chatbot about financial aid might have a housing or enrollment question next. “If I’m talking to my university at a point in time, they should know everything about me at that point,” Justin said. He pointed to the University of Cincinnati, which worked across 17 departments to unify its student support experience.

Breaking down silos starts with shared outcomes. Justin’s advice for siloed campuses: get every department in the room and start with the institution’s mission and strategic plan. From there, those shared goals become a unifying force for finding and removing friction in the student journey.

Alumni engagement starts before graduation. For community colleges just beginning to build alumni programs, Justin recommended capturing student stories, photos, and milestones while students are still on campus. Then, institutions can use that data for meaningful outreach after students graduate.

Trust comes from making things easy. When students are wary of AI, give them an easy path to a human. Also, once they’re authenticated, don’t make them answer questions the institution already knows the answer to.