2026 Award Nominee HigherEdPodCon

Dr. T. J. Vari and Kim Gameroz—Supporting social emotional learning and college and career readiness at the National School Leaders’ Conference 2026

Our guest, Dr. T.J. Vari, is the Senior Director of Product Strategy at MaiaLearning with a focus on postsecondary planning for students worldwide. Dr. Vari is a former deputy superintendent, middle school assistant principal and principal, and high school English teacher. Dr. Vari is an award-winning educator, recognized speaker, and the co-founder of TheSchoolHouse302, a leadership development company with an international footprint. He is the co-author of 7 books oneducational leadership, …

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April 1, 2024

Inspirational Shorts with Dr. Christopher Bonn — Educational and Assistive Technologies

Meet Dr. Christopher Bonn, President and CEO of BonFire Leadership Solutions LLC. He is a former school district superintendent, the author of Igniting Change: The BonFire Principles for Transforming Toxic Organizations, and a university faculty member. Chris works with the technology industry and school systems to achieve greater efficiencies for educational outcomes through the use of assistive and other forms of technology. Recorded during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024 in Las Vegas

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April 15, 2024

Inspirational Shorts with Dr. Alisha Pollard — Developing Students and Parents in Financial Literacy

Guest, Dr. Alisha Pollard, is President of Warriors Helping Achieve Triumph (or “WHAT”). What is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages through enriching experiences and knowledge-sharing sessions, while encouraging self-confidence and the desire to excel. Dr. Pollard, describes how WHAT supports students and their families achieve financial literacy. Recording during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024, Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Pollard shares how authent

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April 22, 2024

Dr. Elsa Núñez — Leading an Elite Liberal Arts College in the Absence of Elitism

Dr. Elsa Núñez is the President of Eastern Connecticut State University, Connecticut’s only public liberal arts institution of higher education. Dr. Núñez shares her lived experiences, and those as a university president looking toward retirement who is a lifelong learner. She discusses the importance of a liberal arts education and educational attainment. She champions excellence and access and shares with the EDUP Xcelerated Excellence community the evolutionary process defining the uniq

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July 14, 2026

Dr. T. J. Vari and Kim Gameroz—Supporting social emotional learning and college and career readiness at the National School Leaders’ Conference 2026

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July 6, 2026

Dr. André O. Hudson—Strengthening Access for Science Education with a focus on Happy Individuals at RIT

Our guest, Dr. André O. Hudson, is Dean of the College of Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a role he has held since 2023. He previously served as Head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences from 2017 to 2022. Originally from Jamaica, he emigrated to the United States at age 14 and earned his B.S. in Biology from Virginia Union University in 2000. He received his Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Pathology from Rutgers University in 2006, where his research focused on am

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June 27, 2026

Dr. Andrew (Andy) Jacks—Celebrating and Supporting Principals at the National School Leaders Conference powered by NAESP

Our guests, Dr. Andy Jacks, is an award-winning principal, speaker, author, and leadership coach dedicated tohelping educators build thriving school communities full of energy, growth, and fun. A former Virginia Principal of the Year and National Distinguished Principal, he shares practical, research-based strategies on leadership, school improvement, student engagement, and creating lasting positive change. He is the author of Discipline Win and speaks nationally to inspire leaders to make the

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June 21, 2026

Dr. E. M. Nuñez and Malik Harouna—Supporting first-generation student success through entrepreneurship, learning from positive failure

Our guests, Dr. E. M. Nuñez and Malik Harouna, are Assistant Director for Scholar Support & Educational Access at San FrancisBay University (SFBU) (SFBU Scholars Program) and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) for Aline, respectively. Dr. Nuñez (they/them) is a higher education and nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience advancing equity-driven programs for first-generation, low-income, and historicallyunderrepresented students. With a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Californ

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June 11, 2026

Dr. Maylén Sullivan—(Re)envisioning world languages instruction for social engagement and change as the 2026 California Language Teacher of the Year

Our guest, Dr. Maylén R.R. Sullivan, is the 2026 SWCOLT and California Language Teacher of the Year. A passionate trilingual educator originally from Cuba, she serves as the Coronado Unified School District World Language Teacher on Special Assignment (ToSA), where she leads K-12 professional development and shapes the department's vision. Sullivan believes language is a powerful vehicle for problem solving and civic engagement — empowering students to servetheir communities, contribute me

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June 3, 2026

Tiffani Jaseph—Championing high-quality special education as the 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year

Our Guest, Tiffani Jaseph, is a dedicated special education professional with 16 years of teaching experience. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Arizona. Driven by her passion for children, Ms. Jaseph began her career in general education but soon realized her true calling in special education and made the transition to that field. Throughout her career, Ms. Jaseph has worked in three school districts.

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May 25, 2026

Ed Alvarez and Dr. Cheryl Ingram—Dismantling Inequities for Educational Excellence at the Silicon Valley Equity in Education Institute

Our Guests, Ed Alvarez and Dr. Cheryl Ingram, are Executive and Executive Deputy Directors, respectively, of the Silicon Valley Equity in Education Institute (SVEEI). Ed’s education experience spans the past 25 years, including roles as President and Board Chair of The National Hispanic University, The Foundation for Hispanic Education, and the Latino Education Advancement Foundation. Currently, he serves on the board of English Together and is President of the San Francisco Bay University

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May 14, 2026

Dr. Terrance McNeil—Elevating the work of HBCU Teacher Preparation with the AACTE HBCU TAG

Our Guest, Dr. Terrance McNeil, is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Practice and Leadership at Tennessee State University, where he serves as Program Coordinator of the Higher Education Leadership Ed.D. program. With over 20 years of experience in K-12 and higher education, his work centers on equitable educator preparation, leadership development, and expanding access for underrepresented groups. Dr. McNeil is a Faculty Innovation Fellow at StanfordUniversity

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May 4, 2026

Dr. Taha Duri—Leading Architecture & Design as a Social Tool at American University in the Emirates

Our Guest, Dr. Taha Duri, is a figure in the fields of architecture and design. Currently, he serves as the “Dean of the College of Design” at the American University in the Emirates (AUE). He has a rich academic background and extensive professional experience in architecture, interior design, and the built environment. Professor Duri earned a Ph.D. in Architecture from the Universityof Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Architecture from Pennsylvania State University. He has o

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April 26, 2026

Dr. Brad Fuster—Championing Innovation in Higher Education at San Francisco Bay University and EDUP Innovation

Our Guest, Dr. Brad Fuster, is Provost and Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs at San Francisco Bay University and Host of EdUp Innovation. Brad Fuster has extensive experience in higher education leadership. As a respected music professor and academic leader, Fuster brings deep expertise in academicaffairs, enrollment management, international program management, and technological innovation to SFBU. He has held key leadership positions at SUNY Buffalo State University where he was a V

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April 18, 2026

Prince Johnson—NYTOTY2026: Championing Sustainability, Civics Education, Career and Technical Education (Part 2 of 2)

Our Guest, Prince Johnson, a 26-year veteran educator, is the 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year as well as the 2025 Gilder Lehrman New York History Teacher of the Year. A passionate advocate for career and technical education (CTE) and a leader in sustainability, he teaches social studies at Food and Finance High School in New York City and serves on the NYCPS Climate Education Leadership Team. His drive as an educator was shaped by the injustices he observed while teaching on Rikers

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April 6, 2026

Prince Johnson—NYTOTY2026: Championing Sustainability, Civics Education, Career and Technical Education (Part 1of 2)

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Recent Blog Posts

April 18, 2026

Exploring the Role of Journalism in Education and Reporting on the Student Debt Crisis

We revisit a highly listened to episode of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence, featuring award-winning journalist and educator Dr. Jamal Watson. Dr. Watson is a longtime senior leader at Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, now The EDU Ledger, where he has …

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March 21, 2026

Transforming Communities through the Black InGenius Initiative (BiGI), University of San Diego

We highlight a powerful on-location episode of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence, where host Dr. Jacob Easley II  visited the campus of the University of San Diego (USD) to sit down with Drs. Kimberly A. White-Smith, Professor and Dean, and Sean Green…

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Feb. 7, 2026

Anti-oppressive Education and the Non-neutral Role of Schools in Social Equity

We return to the most listened to episode on Spotify of EDUP Xcelerated Excellence, a timely conversation with Dr. Kevin Kumashiro, then-Interim Dean for the School of Education at Hofstra University. A nationally recognized scholar, organizer, and …

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About the Host

Jacob Easley II, PhD, PMP

Host

Entrepreneur, higher education leader, podcaster, scholar, and change agent. President of Xcelerated Excellence Consulting LLC.

Dr. Jacob Easley II is an internationally accomplished and award-winning educational leader and entrepreneur. He is an expert in educational policy and politics, focusing on educational accountability, effectiveness, and improvement. He has served in various faculty and leadership positions across five different states and the District of Columbia. Dr. Easley is proud of his work as an advocate for equity and access and quality educational opportunities for all students. He has published numerous books, articles, and commentaries on educational accountability, change, equity, and educator preparation. He is the immediate past president of the New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACTE). Dr. Easley is a National Association of Holmes Scholars Alumni (NAHSA) lifetime member and former president of the organization. He is also the founder of the International Congress of School Effectiveness and Improvement’s (ICSEI) Culture, Race, and Intersectionality Network.

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New York Professor

"The show is informative and attends to important issues related to educational equity. Recommended for educators and policy makers alike."

Plbfudge | May 5, 2024

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