In our ongoing series of interviews with Vygo executives, we had the pleasure of speaking with Hannah Gardner, one of Vygo's leaders in the UK. Hannah's journey from teaching to EdTech provides valuable insights into the current state and future of education technology.
Q: Can you share a bit about your journey and what led you to your current role at Vygo?
“I started my career as a secondary school history teacher in South London, where I experienced the rewarding impact of teaching firsthand. However, I felt my impact was limited to the students I directly worked with. This realization led me to explore education technology, where I saw the potential to support thousands of students daily. Over the last five years, I've been involved in EdTech startups, and for the past three and a half years, I've been building and scaling Vygo's UK team.”
Q: What experiences or inspirations have shaped your career in the EdTech industry?
“Teaching significantly impacted my career, teaching me resilience and problem-solving. My own educational experiences, where I wasn't the typical student, motivated me to work in EdTech. I wanted to open up opportunities for all types of students, not just those following traditional paths.”
Q: Can you describe your role at Vygo and what a typical day looks like for you?
“My role at Vygo is multifaceted. It includes managing the UK team, focusing on the growth and support of our existing partners, and exploring new opportunities. As part of my management role, I’m involved in one-on-one meetings, career coaching, and performance conversations.For the partner-facing work, I work closely with our UK accounts to understand their success measures and help expand their support ecosystems. I also explore new opportunities and speak to other partners by attending different events or conferences, or connecting with stakeholders in our network to discuss Vygo and how we can help”
Q: Are there any key projects or initiatives that you are currently working on at Vygo?
“One current project involves analyzing the National Student Survey results in the UK to identify gaps and support universities that scored below benchmarks, particularly in communication of support and wellbeing services. Additionally, we are planning an event in September, ‘Broken Education Live,’ hosted by our co-CEO Joel, to bring together stakeholders and discuss current trends and topics.”
Q: What are the current trends in the EdTech area that excite you the most?
“The advancements in data analytics are incredibly exciting. They allow universities to gain deeper insights into student behaviour and tailor student journeys based on this data. While AI is a hot topic, the improvements in data analytics are equally thrilling, offering the potential to enhance and personalize education significantly.”
Q: How do you see the future of EdTech evolving, and what role do you envision Vygo playing in that future?
“I envision a future where each student has a personalized journey based on their unique needs and experiences. Data will enable this personalized approach, reacting and adapting to each student's journey. Vygo will play a crucial role by providing insights and engagement data that integrate with other platforms, helping universities build a comprehensive support system.”
Q: What advice would you give to students to make the most out of their university experience?
“Say yes to every opportunity and jump in wholeheartedly. Enjoy yourself, create new connections, and don’t take things too seriously. University is a time for new experiences, so embrace them fully and make the most of the community around you.”
Q: If you had a magic wand and could change anything about the university system, what would it be and why?
“I would focus on access. There are still significant financial and accessibility barriers that prevent everyone from having the option to attend university. While making university free might not be the complete solution, we need to work towards making higher education more accessible to all who want it.”
Hannah Gardner's insights shed light on the evolving landscape of EdTech and the importance of resilience, data analytics, and accessibility in education. Her journey from teaching to EdTech underscores the potential to make a broader impact, and her work at Vygo highlights the innovative ways technology can enhance and personalize the educational experience. As we look to the future, it’s clear that Vygo is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming higher education for the better.
Authored by;
Rasal Jayasinghe
Marketing Coordinator, Vygo.