The Hidden Work Behind Protecting Student Data

Higher education is entering a new era of digital responsibility. As campuses adopt AI tools, expand online learning, and rely on data to improve the student experience, the pressure to protect that information has never been greater.

In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz speaks with Jeanne Eicks, Rick Merrick, and Pegah Parsi about how universities can build a culture of privacy that strengthens trust, reduces risk, and supports innovation. Together, they explore why privacy is no longer just a legal requirement, how student expectations are evolving across generations, and what it takes to lead responsibly in a world shaped by constant technological change.

In this episode:
• Why privacy must be treated as a shared institutional value, not a checklist.
• How data footprints, AI use, and global regulations are reshaping higher ed.
• What “digital risk” really means for students, faculty, and the institution.
• Why the rise of privacy leadership in higher education signals a major cultural shift.
• How universities can balance innovation with protection—and earn student trust in the process.

Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Radical Cooperation + episode focus
01:00 – Why higher ed needs Chief Privacy Officers
02:00 – Privacy in higher ed is where security was 20 years ago
04:00 – Cybersecurity vs privacy vs compliance explained
07:00 – Cross-generational views on data privacy
09:00 – Privacy is more than data: bodily, communication, and territorial
12:00 – Why digital natives misunderstand data privacy
16:00 – AI, confidentiality, and hidden privacy risks
20:00 – Compliance is the floor, not the goal
35:00 – Moving forward: privacy as a shared institutional value

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