It's YOUR time to #EdUp

Policy & Advocacy Episodes

July 20, 2026

Why the AI Conversation on Campus Is Disconnected from the Real World - with Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director, New York Jobs CEO Council

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director, New York Jobs CEO Council
In this episode, sponsored by EdUp Leadership, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog


YOUR cohost is Ron Marshall⁠, President, ⁠LIM College
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

What did 25 of the most powerful CEOs in America agree to do that helped 65,000 low income New Yorkers land jobs paying over $60,000?


Why does the AI conversation in the boardroom sound nothing like the AI conversatio...
July 14, 2026

Maybe It's Time to “Skillify” the Curriculum - with Dr. Henry Mack, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Henry Mack, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration
In this episode, sponsored by EdUp Leadership, the ​HigherEd PodCon​ II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog


YOUR cohost is Christi Segal, Senior Vice President, Managed Services and Executive Business Development, Ellucian
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

How does the assistant secretary who taught philosophy at the U...
July 13, 2026

Why the Department of Education Says Higher Ed Needs a Revolution, Not a Tune Up - with Nicholas Kent, Under Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Nicholas Kent, Under Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education
In this episode, sponsored by EdUp Leadership, the ​HigherEd PodCon​ II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog


YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

Why does the Under Secretary say higher education is not too big to fail & needs a full revolution, not just tinkering?


What did one prominent president admit out loud about why they won't shorten degrees, even ...
March 24, 2026

When Did Shared Services Become the Secret Weapon of Higher Ed? - with Bill Grau, Executive Director, SUNY SICAS Center

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Bill Grau, Executive Director, SUNY SICAS Center
In this episode, sponsored by the ​ELIVE 2026​ Conference in Denver, Colorado, April 19-22, the ​HigherEd PodCon​ II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog

YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How does a 55 person team support 48 SUNY campuses across R1s, community colleges & specialized institutions through 1 student information system?

Why does clean data entry from admissions through...
Jan. 29, 2026

If Facts Tell & Stories Sell, Why Is Higher Ed Still Using Facts? - with Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President & CEO, American Association of Community Colleges

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President & CEO, American Association of Community Colleges
In this episode, sponsored by the ⁠⁠⁠ELIVE 2026 Conference in Denver, Colorado, April 19-22, & the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,


YOUR host is ⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How does the leader of the nation's largest higher ed sector serving 1,000 community colleges & 10 million students shift the narrative from facts to stories that sell the val...
Dec. 7, 2025

The Accreditation Myth: Why Your University Has More Freedom Than You Think - with Dr. Maria Toyoda, President & CEO, WASC Senior College & University Commission

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Maria Toyoda, President & CEO, WASC Senior College & University Commission
In this episode, sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,


YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

How does a new CEO take the reins of an accreditation body serving 215 institutions & shift the narrative from compliance enforcers to champions of innovation & continuous quality improvement?


What happens when accreditors focus on better data for...
Dec. 1, 2025

How Is a 70 Year Old Testing Organization Reinventing Itself with AI & Why Should You Care? - with Joy Jones, CEO, Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)

It's YOUR time to #EdUp


In this episode, sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,


YOUR guest is Joy Jones, CEO, Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)


YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

How does an organization that's been delivering the GMAT exam for over 70 years grow from 9 member schools in 1953 to partnering with over 220 business schools today while reimagining itself with AI enabled platforms?


What happens when 80% of busin...
Nov. 17, 2025

How 1 Leader Plans to Transform 782 Institutions by Cutting Bureaucracy & Embracing Innovation - w/ Stephen Pruitt, President, Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges-SACSCOC

It's YOUR time to #EdUp


In this episode, sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,


YOUR guest is Stephen Pruitt, President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)


YOUR cohost is Dr. G. Devin Stephenson, President, Florida Polytechnic University
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

How does a new accreditation leader eliminate the phrase "that's the way we've always done it" & slash 52 substantive change ca...
May 13, 2025

How Will Career Pathways Transform Secondary Education? - with Raquel Martinez, President, Board of Directors, National Association of Secondary School Principal

It's YOUR time to #EdUp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
In this episode, brought to YOU by HigherEd PodCon
YOUR guest is Raquel Martinez , President, Board of Directors, National Association of Secondary School Principal
YOUR host is Dr. Laurie Shanderson⁠⁠⁠ , Host, ⁠⁠⁠EdUp Accreditation Insights

How did Martinez's journey lead her to become the first Latina president of NASSP?


What innovative programs is she implementing at the new Sageview High School?


How does she approach diversity & inclusion in education?...
April 29, 2025

Why This Consultant Donated His Entire Business to a University - with Frank Casagrande, Senior Consultant, & Dr. David Bauer, Director, Casa Grande Institute for Higher Education Effectiveness

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠It's YOUR time to #EdUp


In this episode, brought to YOU by HigherEd PodCon
YOUR guests are Frank Casagrande, Senior Consultant, & Dr. David Bauer, Director, Casa Grande Institute for Higher Education Effectiveness
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

How did Frank Casagrande donate his consulting firm to Viterbo University?


What unique credibility comes from a higher ed consultancy embedded within a university?


Why do faculty compensation perspectives differ ...
April 22, 2025

Why Trade Schools Are More Popular Than the Ivy League - with Brady Colby, Head of Market Research, Validated Insights

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠It's YOUR time to #EdUp


In this episode, brought to YOU by HigherEd PodCon
YOUR guest is Brady Colby, Head of Market Research, Validated Insights
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

How are trade schools reaching the "hockey stick" growth phase?


Why do trade schools now have higher favorability than Ivy League institutions?


How are revenues growing at 11.1% while enrollment rises 4.9%?


What differentiates public & proprietary trade school performance?


...
Feb. 6, 2025

What Columbia's Climate School Knows About the Future that Others Don't - with Dr. Jeff Shaman⁠, Interim Dean of ⁠Columbia University Climate School⁠

It's YOUR time to #EdUp


In this episode, brought to YOU by the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU⁠⁠ 2025 conference & Ellucian LIVE 2025
YOUR guest is Dr. Jeff Shaman, Interim Dean of Columbia University Climate School
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Jodi Blinco
This episode explores Columbia's innovative Climate School, the first new school at Columbia in over 25 years, & its solution-focused approach to climate education.


The conversation examines how the Climate School prepares students to tackle real-world challenges...
Jan. 14, 2025

How Massachusetts Created A Free College Program That Actually Works - with Dr. Noe Ortega, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠It's YOUR time to #EdUp


In this episode, brought to YOU by the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU⁠⁠ 2025 conference& Ellucian LIVE 2025
YOUR guest is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Noe Ortega, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

How is Mass Reconnect & Mass Educate making college more accessible & affordable?


Why is credit transfer still a major challenge in higher education?


How are student services evolving to su...
2
Dec. 16, 2024

Episode 1,000: Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠It's YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #1,000, brought to YOU by the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU⁠⁠ 2025 conference

YOUR guests are Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠

How did EdUp grow from humble beginnings to 400,000+ organic downloads?

What makes EdUp the most prolific higher ed podcast network?

How has EdUp chronicled transformative moments in higher education?

Why is building community crucial for podcast success?

What's next for The EdUp Experience brand?

How ...
6
Nov. 24, 2024

990: The Power of Recognition - with Joshua Wyner, Founder & Executive Director of the College Excellence Program, Aspen Institute

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠It's YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #990, brought to YOU by the ⁠⁠MSCHE 2024⁠⁠ conference, & the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU⁠⁠ 2025 conference

YOUR host is ⁠⁠Joshua Wyner⁠, Founder & Executive Director of the College Excellence Program, ⁠Aspen Institute
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

How has the Aspen Prize transformed community college excellence?

What drives successful college leadership & presidential tenure?

Why is transfer student success still a critical challenge?

How are they...
7
Oct. 31, 2024

977: Transforming Education Through R&D - with Sara Schapiro, Executive Director, Alliance for Learning & Innovation

It's YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #977, brought to YOU by the ⁠⁠MSCHE 2024⁠⁠ conference, & the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU⁠⁠ 2025 conference

YOUR guest is⁠ Sara Schapiro,⁠ Executive Director, ⁠Alliance for Learning & Innovation
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

Why is education R&D critically underfunded at $642M compared to other sectors?

How is ALi working to advance bipartisan support for education research?

What role can R&D play in addressing post-COVID learning challenges?

How can we bet...
5
Oct. 29, 2024

975: Building Workforce Solutions - with Juliet Katherine Stipeche⁠, Director of Human Services & Executive Director Workforce Solutions, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, ⁠Houston-Galveston Area Council⁠

It's YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #975, brought to YOU by the ⁠⁠MSCHE 2024⁠⁠ conference, & the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU⁠⁠ 2025 conference

YOUR guest is Juliet Katherine Stipeche⁠, Director of Human Services & Executive Director Workforce Solutions, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, ⁠Houston-Galveston Area Council
YOUR cohost is ⁠Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson⁠, Vice President of Education & Workforce, ⁠Outreach Strategists, LLC
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

How is the Gulf Coast Workforce Board servi...
14
Oct. 18, 2024

969: From Homeschool Prototype to Global Platform - with Emily Jones, Founder & CEO, Home Tribe

It's YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #969, brought to YOU by the ⁠⁠MSCHE 2024⁠⁠ conference, & the ⁠⁠InsightsEDU⁠⁠ 2025 conference

YOUR guest is Emily Jones,⁠ Founder & CEO, ⁠Home Tribe
YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Laurie Shanderson⁠⁠, Host, ⁠⁠EdUp Accreditation Insights

How is Home Tribe reimagining education for the next generation through its marketplace platform

What strategies is Home Tribe using to connect families & educators for personalized learning experiences?

How is the platform integr...
1
Sept. 26, 2024

956: Rewriting Futures - with Robert Gil, Re-Entry Department Manager, Prison Entrepreneurship Program

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #956,
YOUR guest is ⁠Robert Gil⁠, Re-Entry Department Manager, ⁠Prison Entrepreneurship Program⁠ (PEP)

YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson⁠, Owner of Vida Consulting for Higher Education & Trustee at ⁠San Jacinto College⁠,

How does PEP prepare incarcerated individuals for successful re-entry into society?

What makes PEP unique among prison education & rehabilitation programs?

How does PEP's curriculum blend entrepreneurship, leadership...
8
Sept. 11, 2024

949: Law School 101 for College Presidents - with Dr. Joyce Jacobsen, Former President & Current Professor, & Lou Guard, VP & General Counsel, Hobart & William Smith Colleges

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #949, brought to YOU by the InsightsEDU 2025 conference

YOUR guests are ⁠Dr. Joyce Jacobsen⁠, Former President & Current Professor, & ⁠Lou Guard⁠, VP & General Counsel, ⁠Hobart & William Smith Colleges
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

How has the legal landscape in higher education evolved over the past 15 years?

What are the key challenges facing college administrators in this new era of litigation & regulation?

How can institutions balance c...
1
Aug. 26, 2024

942: Bridging Community Colleges & Universities - with Dr. Harrison Keller⁠, Commissioner, ⁠Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board⁠, & Incoming President at the ⁠University of North Texas

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #942, President Series #295, & brought to YOU by the InsightsEDU 2025 conference

YOUR guest is ⁠Dr. Harrison Keller⁠, Commissioner, ⁠Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board⁠, & Incoming President at the ⁠University of North Texas
YOUR cohost is ⁠Dr. Brenda Hellyer⁠, Chancellor, ⁠San Jacinto College
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson⁠, Owner of Vida Consulting for Higher Education & Trustee, ⁠San Jacinto College⁠,

How has Texas transfo...
9
Aug. 5, 2024

936: Bridging Divides & Building Leaders - with Daniel R. Porterfield, President & CEO, Aspen Institute

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #936, brought to YOU by the InsightsEDU 2025 conference

YOUR guest is ⁠Daniel R. Porterfield⁠, President & CEO, ⁠Aspen Institute⁠
YOUR cohost is ⁠⁠⁠⁠Douglas A.J. Carlson⁠⁠⁠⁠, Head of Partnerships - Americas, ⁠⁠⁠⁠LeadSquared
YOUR host is ⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio
What is the Aspen Institute & how does it serve its mission?

How does the Aspen Institute focus on the human element in an increasingly technology-driven world?

What are the key components of the Asp...
2
July 9, 2024

928: The Charter School Crystal Ball - with Nina Rees, Former President & CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #928,

YOUR guest is Nina Rees, Former President & CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠Douglas A.J. Carlson⁠⁠⁠, Head of Partnerships - Americas, ⁠⁠⁠LeadSquared
How are charter schools adapting to prepare students for jobs that may not exist yet in the age of AI?

What innovative models like project-based learning are charter schools implementing to foster student curiosity & creativity?

How are charter schools partnering wi...
4
June 19, 2024

902: Empowering the Overlooked - with Eric Glustrom, CEO & Founder, Watson Institute

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp

In this episode, #902, brought to YOU by the ⁠Charles Koch Foundation⁠
YOUR guest is Eric Glustrom, CEO & Founder, Watson Institute
YOUR host is Dr. Laurie Shanderson, Host, EdUp Accreditation Insights
What fundamental disconnect between higher education outcomes & the needs of students & employers inspired Eric to found the Watson Institute back in 2013?

With major employers becoming the "new universities," how is the Watson Institute partnering with corporations to de...