The Answer to Our Hopelessness Is Not Technology - with Matt Scogin, President, Hope College
Key Takeaways
- Matt Scogin, President of Hope College, discusses how a unique pay-it-forward tuition model leads to a 95% giving rate among the first graduates.
- Higher education institutions must focus on genuine operational and structural changes rather than relying solely on improved marketing to address public critique.
- With fewer than 25% of Americans feeling hopeful about the future, technology alone cannot solve societal despair.
- Doubling down on being one of the most human-centric colleges in the world offers a powerful antidote to modern hopelessness.
- Hope College achieved a remarkable 96% retention rate through innovative student covenants and a community-first approach.
It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Matt Scogin, President, Hope College
This episode, President Series #497, is powered by Ellucian -Higher Ed's AI-Enriched Platform!
This episode is sponsored by the InsightsEDU 2027 Conference - focused on attracting & retaining the modern learner - February 23-25 in Phoenix, AZ! Use code EDUP & save $100! Early-bird pricing ends December 15, 2026!
This episode is brought to YOU by EdUp Leadership - the only intelligence platform built exclusively from presidential conversations in higher ed!
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
- How does a pay it forward tuition model where students sign a covenant to give back every year for life lead to 95% of the first graduates already giving with a 96% retention rate?
- Why does telling our story better not solve the problem when people have real merit to their critique & we actually have to change things, not just do better marketing?
- What makes doubling down on being one of the most human centric colleges in the world the answer when fewer than 25% of Americans feel hopeful about the future & technology isn't solving our despair?
Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!
Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio
● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience
We make education YOUR business!
P.S. Want access to the only intelligence platform built exclusively from presidential conversations in higher ed? Well, we have an app for that!
Join EdUp Leadership!
America's Leading Higher Education Podcast
America's Leading Higher Education Podcast Network
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Matt Scogin?
Matt Scogin is the President of Hope College and a guest on The EdUp Experience, discussing innovative tuition models and student retention.
What is the pay-it-forward tuition model at Hope College?
It is a model where students sign a covenant to give back financially every year for life after graduation, resulting in incredible engagement and a 95% giving rate for the first graduating cohort.
How does Hope College address student retention and campus hopelessness?
Hope College focuses heavily on being one of the most human-centric colleges in the world, prioritizing genuine human connection over technological fixes to achieve a 96% retention rate.