Oct. 13, 2026

Why Can't You Succeed in Recruitment Unless Career Placement Data Is Stellar? - with W. Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy & Innovation, Augustana College

Key Takeaways

W. Kent Barnds emphasizes that successful student recruitment is fundamentally tied to stellar career placement data.
Higher education institutions must evolve to become student-ready colleges rather than passively searching for college-ready students.
With 35 years of experience in higher education, W. Kent Barnds shares critical insights on strategy and innovation at Augustana College.
The United States higher education system remains the single greatest export to the world due to its constant adaptation and impact.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with W. Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy & Innovation, Augustana College

In this episode, part of our Across Education Series powered by Nemonx,

YOUR cohost is Shadi Figuli, CEO & Co-Founder, Nemonx
YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How does 35 years in higher ed teach you that student recruitment can't succeed unless career placement data is stellar?
Why must institutions become student ready colleges instead of looking for college ready students?
What makes the United States' single greatest export to the world its higher education system?

Listen in to #EdUp

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is W. Kent Barnds?

W. Kent Barnds is the Executive Vice President for Strategy & Innovation at Augustana College, bringing 35 years of higher education experience.

Why is career placement data crucial for student recruitment?

Institutions cannot successfully recruit students unless they have stellar career placement data that proves the tangible value and outcomes of their degree programs.

What does it mean to be a student-ready college?

A student-ready college adapts its structures, support systems, and culture to meet the diverse needs of incoming students rather than expecting students to adapt entirely to the institution.