Oct. 25, 2026

If Cost Isn't the Barrier Anymore, What Is? - with Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges

Key Takeaways

Massachusetts successfully grew community college enrollment by 40% over a three-year period by making specific state initiatives and messaging crystal clear to prospective students.
Completing the FAFSA completely changes the game for students, especially when cost is removed as the primary barrier to higher education.
A critical challenge facing higher education is when funding to recruit and onboard students outpaces the necessary resources and funding required to help them finish their programs.
Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, shares deep insights into the evolving landscape of community colleges.
The discussion highlights innovative approaches to student retention and financial aid accessibility in modern higher education.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges

This episode is brought to you by Beyond Survival: Reporting from the Front Lines of Higher Education’s War for Relevance is a documentary account from the front lines of the most consequential upheaval in higher ed in generations!

This episode is sponsored by⁠ the MSCHE 2026 Annual Conference, where we will be podcasting live, keynoting, & facilitating a pre-conference workshop from December 9-11 in Philadelphia!

This episode is also sponsored by the ⁠InsightsEDU 2027⁠ Conference - focused on attracting & retaining the modern learner - where we will be podcasting live from February 23-25 in Phoenix, AZ! Use code EDUP & save $100! Early-bird pricing ends December 15, 2026!

YOUR host is ⁠⁠Dr. Jodi Blinco

How did Massachusetts grow community college enrollment 40% in 3 years by making one thing crystal clear?
Why does completing the FAFSA change the game when cost is no longer the barrier?
What happens when the funding for getting students in the door outpaces the funding for helping them finish?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nate Mackinnon?

Nate Mackinnon is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, joining the podcast to discuss enrollment growth and higher education barriers.