
The EdUp Experience
We welcome YOU to America’s leading higher education podcast! Hosted by Dr. Joe Sallustio, whose down-to-Earth approach & industry experience helps to make dry & complicated educational topics more fun & engaging to discuss. Elvin Freytes, Producer, brings YOU the most innovative leaders in higher education to the microphone. The EdUp Experience team brings over 40 years of experience in higher education - YOU will feel refreshed, upskilled, & reskilled after listening to this podcast.
LEARN MORE:
edupexperience.com
We make education YOUR business!
Latest episodes

Nov 12, 2024 • 41min
983: Global & Local - with Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #983, President Series (Powered By Ellucian) #315, & brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District
YOUR host is Dr. LaNitra Berger, President & Chair of the Board of Directors at NAFSA, & Associate Professor, History & Art History & Director of the African & African American Studies Program at George Mason University
YOUR cohost is Dr. Laurie Shanderson, Host, EdUp Accreditation Insights
How is Alamo Colleges serving 77,000 students across five colleges & eight centers?
What strategies make international education accessible to community college students?
How are Alamo Colleges' "Expeditions" transforming short-term study abroad?
What innovative employer partnerships are addressing workforce needs?
How is the Alamo Promise program removing cost barriers for 22,000 students?
What leadership lessons can aspiring presidents learn from Dr. Flores' journey?
How are COIL & virtual exchanges expanding global learning opportunities?
What role does cultural affirmation play in student success?
Listen in to #EdUp!
Accelerate YOUR Professional Development with EdUp!
Looking to stay ahead in higher education? Want exclusive access to content that enhances YOUR knowledge & connects YOU with leaders in the field?
For just $2.99/month, YOU’LL get:
• Early access to ad-free episodes
• Extended episodes & bonus content
• Original insights & special invites to exclusive events
• More resources tailored to higher education professionals like YOU
Lock in YOUR lifetime founders rate today! This special rate is only available until December 31, 2024. After that, the price will increase to $19.99/month.
By subscribing, YOU’LL not only invest in YOUR own growth but also help sustain EdUp’s mission to bring YOU quality content focused on advancing higher education.
Don’t miss this opportunity! Secure YOUR founders rate now before prices go up.
Join the EdUp Community Today!
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!

Nov 11, 2024 • 1h 4min
982: The Future of Work-Based Learning - with Scott Pulsipher, President, Western Governors University
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #982, President Series (Powered By Ellucian) #314, & brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Scott Pulsipher, President, Western Governors University
YOUR cohost is Kevin Harrington, Co-Founder & CEO, Rize Education
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is WGU serving 180k concurrent learners through competency-based education?
What insights can traditional institutions learn from WGU's innovative model?
How is the Craft Education acquisition expanding work-based learning opportunities?
What are Scott's reflections on Clayton Christensen's predictions for higher ed?
How is WGU disrupting itself to serve the modern learner?
What are Scott's thoughts on the 90-credit bachelor's degree trend?
How can traditional institutions innovate within existing constraints?
What leadership lessons from Amazon apply to higher education?
Listen in to #EdUp!
Accelerate YOUR Professional Development with EdUp!
Looking to stay ahead in higher education? Want exclusive access to content that enhances YOUR knowledge & connects YOU with leaders in the field?
For just $2.99/month, YOU’LL get:
• Early access to ad-free episodes
• Extended episodes & bonus content
• Original insights & special invites to exclusive events
• More resources tailored to higher education professionals like YOU
Lock in YOUR lifetime founders rate today! This special rate is only available until December 31, 2024. After that, the price will increase to $19.99/month.
By subscribing, YOU’LL not only invest in YOUR own growth but also help sustain EdUp’s mission to bring YOU quality content focused on advancing higher education.
Don’t miss this opportunity! Secure YOUR founders rate now before prices go up.
Join the EdUp Community Today!
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!

Nov 7, 2024 • 40min
981: The Missing Voice in Education - with Todd Shy, Head of School, Avenues The World School
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #981, brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Todd Shy, Head of School, Avenues The World School
YOUR host is Dr. Laurie Shanderson, Host, EdUp Accreditation Insights
Why is education more than just technical training?
How do we balance student wellbeing with academic rigor?
What role does experiential learning play in student development?
Why must educators focus on "whole student" development?
How can schools resist purely utilitarian approaches to education?
What makes teaching a "sacred" profession?
Listen in to #EdUp!
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!

Nov 6, 2024 • 48min
980: Beyond the Headlines - with Dr. Mark J. Drozdowski, Senior Writer, BestColleges
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #980, brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Dr. Mark J. Drozdowski, Senior Writer, BestColleges
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
Why is higher education facing a massive PR problem?
How can institutions better tell their success stories?
What's the real long-term ROI of a college degree?\
How is the changing NCAA landscape affecting institutions?
Why are college presidencies becoming increasingly challenging?
What solutions exist for the approaching enrollment cliff?
Ad-Free & extended conversation ONLY for #EdUp subscribers includes:
Mark's insights on the future of college athletics & NIL
How student fees are impacted by athletic programs
The changing dynamics of college sports recruitment & retention
Listen in to #EdUp!
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!

Nov 5, 2024 • 42min
979: Disrupting Medical Education - with Dr. David Lenihan, Founder & CEO, Tiber Health, & Past President of Ponce Health Sciences University
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #979, President Series (Powered By Ellucian) #314, & brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Dr. David Lenihan, Founder & CEO, Tiber Health, & Past President of Ponce Health Sciences University
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is Tiber Health revolutionizing medical school admissions through data analytics?
Why does the average parental income of $42K vs $280K matter in medical education?
How are global partnerships transforming healthcare education leadership?
What role does AI play in the future of medical diagnostics & education?
How can universities maintain quality while expanding access?
Why is succession planning critical for institutional innovation?
Ad-Free & extended conversation ONLY for #EdUp subscribers includes:
David's insights on AI's impact on medical diagnosis
How to balance technology & human interaction in healthcare
Future trends in medical education & healthcare delivery
Listen in to #EdUp!
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!

Nov 4, 2024 • 48min
978: Move at the Speed of Business - with Shannon Bryant, Executive Director of Workforce & Economic Development, Minnesota State Colleges & Universities System
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #978, brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Shannon Bryant, Executive Director of Workforce & Economic Development, Minnesota State Colleges & Universities System
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
What does it mean to move at the speed of business in higher education?
How is Minnesota State serving 63% of the state's undergraduate population?
Why are stackable credentials becoming the new norm in workforce development?
How are AI, machine learning & data science reshaping workforce needs?
What makes business & industry partnerships critical for student success?
How is Minnesota State creating an $8.4B economic impact?
Listen in to #EdUp!
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!

Oct 31, 2024 • 55min
977: Transforming Education Through R&D - with Sara Schapiro, Executive Director, Alliance for Learning & Innovation
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #977, brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Sara Schapiro, Executive Director, Alliance for Learning & Innovation
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
Why is education R&D critically underfunded at $642M compared to other sectors?
How is ALi working to advance bipartisan support for education research?
What role can R&D play in addressing post-COVID learning challenges?
How can we better connect research to classroom practice?
What opportunities does AI present for education innovation?
Ad-Free & extended conversation ONLY for #EdUp subscribers includes:
Sarah's insights on using AI to address the speech pathologist shortage
Sarah's approach to equity in education research
Thoughts on expanding R&D funding for HBCUs, MSIs & TCUs
Listen in to #EdUp!
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!

Oct 30, 2024 • 53min
976: Building the University That Doesn't Exist - with Dr. Michael Shannon, President, University of North Georgia
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #976, President Series (Powered By Ellucian) #312, & brought to YOU by Uwill
YOUR guest is Dr. Michael Shannon, President, University of North Georgia
YOUR cohost is Laura Ipsen, President & CEO, Ellucian
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is UNG balancing tradition & innovation across 5 campuses & 19.7k students?
What role does military experience play in university leadership?
How can AI & technology enhance the student experience?
What strategies work for leading institutional change?
How can higher ed better support military veterans through credit for prior learning?
What are Mike's insights on embracing change through David Bowie's philosophy?
What is UNG's approach to building dynamic, adaptable graduates?
What are Mike's thoughts on recognizing military leadership experience in higher education?
Listen in to #EdUp!
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!

Oct 29, 2024 • 43min
975: Building Workforce Solutions - with Juliet Katherine Stipeche, Director of Human Services & Executive Director Workforce Solutions, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Houston-Galveston Area Council
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #975, brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Juliet Katherine Stipeche, Director of Human Services & Executive Director Workforce Solutions, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Houston-Galveston Area Council
YOUR cohost is Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson, Vice President of Education & Workforce, Outreach Strategists, LLC
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is the Gulf Coast Workforce Board serving 7.2M residents across 13 counties?
What strategies are working to connect education, industry & workforce development?
How are workforce boards helping create pathways for future industries & jobs?
What role does social capital play in workforce development?
How can workforce solutions help address economic disparities?
Listen in to #EdUp!
Ad-Free & extended conversation ONLY for #EdUp subscribers includes:
Juliette's insights on funding innovation in workforce development
Gulf Coast's approach to emerging technologies like automated air mobility
Thoughts on creating flexible, future-focused workforce solutions
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!

Oct 28, 2024 • 57min
974: Transforming Lives Through Access - with Dr. Kate Smith, President, Rio Salado College
It's YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, #974, President Series (Powered By Ellucian) #311, & brought to YOU by the MSCHE 2024 conference, & the InsightsEDU 2025 conference
YOUR guest is Dr. Kate Smith, President, Rio Salado College
YOUR cohost is Dr. Jodi (Ashbrook) Blinco, Vice President for Enrollment Management Consulting, EducationDynamics
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is Rio Salado serving 40k learners through innovative delivery models?
What strategies are working to support incarcerated students & reduce recidivism?
How is Rio Salado pioneering community college bachelor's degrees in Arizona?
What role does data & mathematics play in institutional leadership?
How is Rio measuring success for non-traditional & skills-building students?
What are Kate's insights on building wraparound support services for online learners?
What is Rio Salado's approach to food insecurity through innovative partnerships?
What are Kate's thoughts on redefining student success metrics beyond traditional IPEDS measures?
Listen in to #EdUp!
Want to accelerate YOUR professional development?
Want to get exclusive early access to ad-free episodes, extended episodes, bonus episodes, original content, invites to special events, & more?
Want to get all this while helping to sustain EdUp, for only $2.99 a month?
Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $2.99/m life long founders rate!
This offer will end on December 31, 2024!
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
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!