It's YOUR time to #EdUp

Episodes of YOUR Higher Education Podcast

May 28, 2026

LIVE from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference - w/ Stacy Chiaramonte, SVP, Strategy & Ops, UPCEA, & Jeni McRay, Asst. Provost, Internationalization & Strategic Initiatives, Fort Hays State University

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Stacy Chiaramonte⁠, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Operations, ⁠UPCEA⁠, & ⁠Jeni McRay⁠, Assistant Provost, Internationalization & Strategic Initiatives, ⁠Fort Hays State University
In this episode, recorded Live from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,


YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How does a rural regional comprehensive university with the lowest tuition in Kansas choose to blow it up & build a professional co...
May 27, 2026

How Does a Community College Become the School of Choice Instead of the Starting Point? - with Dr. Jeremy L. Thomas, President, Black Hawk College

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Jeremy L. Thomas, President, Black Hawk College
In this episode, President Series #481, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, sponsored by EdUp Leadership, the ​HigherEd PodCon​ II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog


YOUR cohost is Bridget Moran, Director of Content Marketing, Coursedog
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio

How does an 80 year old community college in John Deere country transform from transfer institution to 50/50 career...
May 26, 2026

Every School Does It Differently. There's Plenty of Room for Adaptation - with Patty Alper, President, Teach to Work Foundation

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Patty Alper, President, Teach to Work Foundation
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. Jodi Blinco
How does project based mentoring where the student is the leader & the mentor has no authority double the odds of being engaged in work & having a greater sense of wellbeing later in life?

Why do companies like MasterCard, Ernst & Young, Pfize...
May 25, 2026

Why Do People With Degrees Experience the Lowest Unemployment in Every Recession? - with Dr. Kathy Bakhit, Community College Faculty Fellow, University of La Verne

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Kathy Bakhit, Community College Faculty Fellow, University of La Verne
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. Jodi Blinco

How does a redesigned doctoral program with research built into coursework ensure students graduate with dissertations in hand instead of becoming ABDs?


Why does an immigrant woman who started in ESL classes ...
May 24, 2026

Why Is a $20 Million Scholarship Budget an Investment, Not a Discount Rate? - with Dr. Joe Parisi, President, Missouri Valley College

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with ⁠Dr. Joe Parisi, President, Missouri Valley College
In this episode, President Series #480, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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

How does a college with students from 63 countries, 5 NFR world champion rodeo grads & a new trap & skeet national title post record enrollment, retention & graduation year over year?


...
May 21, 2026

LIVE from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference - with Charlie Nguyen, Founder & CEO, Employer-Funded Financial Aid (EFFA) Inc.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Charlie Nguyen, Founder & CEO, Employer-Funded Financial Aid (EFFA) Inc.
In this episode, recorded Live from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,


YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How does flipping the tuition reimbursement model from pay first to direct bill finally solve the problem when employees take out loans, get reimbursed & then spend the money instead of paying off the debt?


Why is tuition benefit no longer...
May 20, 2026

Tech CEOs Are Saying Study Liberal Arts. Here's Why - with Marsha Familaro Enright, President, Reliance College Fund

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Marsha Familaro Enright, President, Reliance College Fund
In this episode, President Series #479, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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. Jodi Blinco
How does a Montessori educator who ran an elementary school for 25 years now work to start a college focused on strengthening reasoning power & self confidence?

Why are tech CEOs telli...
May 19, 2026

$18 Million Deficit. 4 Years to Close It. Here's How - with Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, President at Western Connecticut State University

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, President, Western Connecticut State University
In this episode, President Series #478, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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
How does Connecticut's largest public Hispanic serving institution with 40% Pell students & families making under $75,000 become #1 in the state for social mobility?

Why d...
May 18, 2026

How Do You Bring 12 Universities to 500,000 Residents Who Can't Drive the Beltway? - with Dr. Dale Nesbary, Interim Executive Director, University System of Maryland

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Dale Nesbary, Interim Executive Director, University System of Maryland
In this episode, President Series #477, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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
How does a university center 7 miles from the world's largest naval test air station bring programs from 12 universities to 500,000 underserved residents of Southern...
May 18, 2026

And the HigherEd PodCon Awards finalists are...

It's YOUR time to #EdUp!

And the HigherEd PodCon Awards finalists are...

Outstanding Podcast Series
“Where What If Becomes What’s Next” (Carnegie Mellon University) - Randy Scott
“Lab Coat Optional” (Arizona State University Knowledge Enterprise) - Pete Zrioka
“Policy and Governance Perspectives” (George Mason University) - David Ramadan
Episode of the Year
“Individual Choices, Challenges, and Social Changes” Series: Good Is In The Details - Gwendolyn Dolske (Cal Poly Pomona) and Rudy Salo (Ch...
May 17, 2026

Enriching Lives Through Learning - Dr. Shawn Powell, President, Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Shawn Powell, President, Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell
In this episode, President Series #476, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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
How does a community college on a former SAC bomber base where the Enola Gay stopped serve rural southeastern New Mexico with nursing, aviation maintenance & workforce cred...
May 14, 2026

LIVE from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference - with Kevin Halle, VP for Enrollment Management, Wayne State College

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Kevin Halle, VP for Enrollment Management, Wayne State College
In this episode, recorded Live from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,

YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Jodi Blinco
How does a campus of 4,500 students with 50% first generation & 40% Pell eligible create an environment where even the newest employee feels it's conducive to welcoming new students?

Why do Wildcat Chats at Starbucks & meetups in the community matter when famili...
May 13, 2026

He Appointed Himself Chancellor at 25. That Was 50 Years Ago - with Charles R. Modica, Chancellor, St. George's University

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Charles R. Modica, Chancellor, St. George's University
In this episode, President Series #475, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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
How does a self-appointed chancellor who founded a medical school in Grenada at 25 celebrate 50 years leading the same institution?

Why did writing Harvard, Yale & Stanford for curricul...
May 12, 2026

He Became President at 35. Here's What He Knows That Others Don't. - with Zev Eleff, President, Gratz College

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Zev Eleff, President, Gratz College
In this episode, President Series #474, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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
How does the oldest Jewishly sponsored college in North America grow from 400 to 700 graduate students as the field leader in Holocaust & Antisemitism Studies?

Why does a 40 year old president who started...
May 11, 2026

How Does 1 University Stack Credentials From Certificates to Doctoral All Under 1 Roof? - with Dr. Alisa White, President, Sam Houston State University

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Alisa White, President, Sam Houston State University
In this episode, President Series #473, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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
How does the only Texas university with polytechnic authority stack credentials from certificates to doctoral degrees all in 1 institution?

Why does meeting students where they are ma...
May 10, 2026

The Metrics Match the Energy. Every Single Time - with Dr. Chris Vitelli, President of Merced College

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Chris Vitelli, President, Merced College
In this episode, President Series #472, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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, Vice President Managed Services & Executive Business Engagement, Ellucian
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How does a Hispanic serving institution in the gateway to Yosemite serve 21,000+ students wh...
May 7, 2026

LIVE from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference - with Maura Flaschner, Assistant Vice President Undergraduate Admissions & Student Success, Florida Atlantic University

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Maura Flaschner, Assistant Vice President Undergraduate Admissions & Student Success, Florida Atlantic University
In this episode, recorded Live from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,

YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio
How does combining undergraduate admissions & student success under one leader ensure that the students who enroll are best fit students who are going to retain & graduate?

Why are students saying they found y...
May 6, 2026

We See You. We Hear You. We Know You. (You Can't Hide Here) - with Dr. Rob Pepper, President, Huntington University

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Rob Pepper, President, Huntington University
In this episode, President Series #471, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, sponsored by EdUp Leadership, the ​HigherEd PodCon​ II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog

YOUR cohost is Bridget Moran , Director of Content Marketing, Coursedog
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How does a Northeast Indiana liberal arts university serve dual enrollment, traditional, working adults & graduate stude...
May 5, 2026

2/3 of Students Paid Less. Completion Went Up. Why Isn't Everyone Doing This?- with Ethan Pollack, Senior Director of Financing the Future Initiative, Jobs For the Future (JFF)

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with ⁠Ethan Pollack, Senior Director of Financing the Future Initiative, Jobs For the Future (JFF)
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
How does outcomes based financing shift risk away from students by basing payments on earnings rather than fixed dollar amounts?

Why did Purdue's Back a Boiler ISA increase completion by 3 points ...
May 4, 2026

Maybe the Best ROI in Higher Ed Is the One We Keep Overlooking - with Dr. Susan Looney, President, Reading Area Community College

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Susan Looney, President, Reading Area Community College (RAC)
In this episode, President Series #470, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, 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
How does the largest college in Berks County serve 8,500 students at $6,500 per year while 6 college presidents meet quarterly as partners not competitors?

Why do community c...
May 3, 2026

Stop Talking About AI. Start Building Collective Intelligence - with Hunter Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Hunter Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning
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 Mark Milliron, President, National University
YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Jodi Blinco

How does a 25 year old nonprofit focused on equitable social mobility use coaching to help students unlock their potential & reach their goals across the full student life ...
May 1, 2026

LIVE from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference - with Jamie Ceman, Senior Executive VP of Reputation Services, & Myla Edmond, VP of Integrated Marketing, EducationDynamics⁠

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Jamie Ceman, Senior Executive VP of Reputation Services, & Myla Edmond, VP of Integrated Marketing, EducationDynamics
In this episode, recorded Live from the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,

YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio
How does reputation management become a long game driver for revenue when your reputation is in the room long before students are making a decision?

Why do marketing & communications leaders get relegated ...
April 29, 2026

Will Re-Enrollment Coaching Finally Bring Back the 43 Million Who Stopped Out? - with Ruth Bauer, President, InsideTrack

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Ruth Bauer, President, InsideTrack
In this episode, sponsored by 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 25 year old nonprofit focused on equitable social mobility use coaching to help students unlock their potential & reach their goals across the full student life cycle?

Why does re-enrollment coaching for stopped out students build trust with institutions throug...
April 28, 2026

Stop Saying Liberal Arts Isn't Workforce Development. It Is. - with Nora Miller, President, Mississippi University for Women

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Nora Miller, President, Mississippi University for Women
In this episode, President Series #469, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, sponsored by the ​HigherEd PodCon​ II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog

YOUR host is Dr. Jodi Blinco
How does the 1st state supported college for women founded in 1884 now serve 20 to 25% male enrollment with a nursing program in the top 4% nationally?

Why does partnering with rural hospitals to grow t...