Spotlight on John Pfeffer | Tech Manager Spotlight

In this Tech Manager Spotlight, John Pfeffer, principal technology architect for IT Customer Service at the University at Buffalo, shares how he balances innovation with standards, supportability, and long‑term sustainability. From shaping next‑generation learning spaces to defining what good leadership looks like in higher‑ed AV, Pfeffer reflects on the planning, collaboration, and decision‑making that happen long before any technology is installed. Read More

Content, Features

May 1, 2026

70: Why Are You Doing Speechlift from the Can? | AV SuperFriends

In this episode, the crew turns a simple question about classroom speakers into a full-blown AV theology fight. Should small classrooms use ceiling speakers, front-wall point-source speakers, voice lift, program audio, or whatever happens to be lying around in the warehouse? Naturally, the answer is “it depends,” followed immediately by 35 minutes of everyone insisting their version of “depends” is the only sane one. Read More

Content, Media

April 30, 2026

AV Security Is No Longer Optional in Higher Education | AV Under the Hood

AV systems are no longer isolated presentation tools. In this AV Under the Hood article, Dustin Myers explains why networked AV must be treated as part of the institutional security surface and what higher education teams can do to address risk at the design, procurement, and operational levels. As AV and IT continue to converge, leaving AV out of the security conversation is no longer defensible. Read More

Articles, Content

April 29, 2026

135: The Managing Editor with Chris Kelly | The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast

Chris Kelly returns to The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast to talk about stepping into the role of Managing Editor for Higher Ed AV Media and why content creation matters for the higher education AV community. The conversation explores how volunteer media work can amplify more voices, create pathways for people who may not see themselves as writers or podcasters, and help colleagues understand events, campuses, accessibility, and community from a peer perspective. Read More

Content, Media

April 29, 2026

My Take: Visiting Cisco’s Atlanta Collaboration Center

A visit to Cisco’s Atlanta Collaboration Center offered more than a technology showcase. From AV over IP and future‑ready workplaces to zero trust security and Wi‑Fi 7 readiness, this trip surfaced practical lessons for higher ed AV and IT teams navigating hybrid spaces, sustainability goals, and growing operational complexity. Read More

Articles, Content

April 28, 2026

AI’s Environmental Footprint: A Stress Test for Instructional Design and Sustainability | AI Insights with Andy

AI promises speed, scale, and new possibilities for teaching and learning, but those gains come with real environmental costs. In this AI Insights column, Andy Vogel examines the energy and water demands behind modern AI systems and explores practical guidelines for using these tools more responsibly in higher education. Read More

Articles, Content