There Are PLENTY of Students - Debunking Higher Ed's Biggest Myth - with Dr. John Comferford, President, Otterbein University
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #421, powered by Ellucian, & sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,
YOUR guest is Dr. John Comferford, President, Otterbein University
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
- How does a university with 2,400 traditional undergraduates partner with Antioch University instead of trying to chase adult learners themselves & why recognizing what you're NOT good at is strategic genius?
- What happens when you're the ONLY college in Ohio offering free tuition for Pell Grant eligible students & how do you compete with big publics by focusing on "do vs. watch"?
- How does a president build corporate partnerships with 22 employers offering $20,000 automatic scholarships & why is ditching the rankings rat race to focus on mission centric work the future of higher ed?
Extended Conversation for EdUp Premium Members:
- Why are most college presidents silent on social media while higher ed's reputation crumbles & what does active presidential leadership actually do for enrollment?
- How did higher ed become a "pacifist" industry sitting on the bench while attacks rolled in & why does the average consumer only think of Ivy League when 3,990 other institutions exist?
- What makes testimony from Ivy League presidents "unrelatable" to the heart of the curve & why does higher ed need voices from schools that actually represent most students?
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