

The EdUp Experience
YOUR Higher Education Podcast
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!
LEARN MORE:
edupexperience.com
We make education YOUR business!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 29, 2024 • 25min
892: LIVE from Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM) 2024 - with Devin Ray, Enterprise Application Services Manager, Edgewood College
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, recorded LIVE from Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM) 2024 conference in Dallas, Texas,
YOUR guest is Devin Ray, Enterprise Application Services Manager, Edgewood College
YOUR guest cohost is Jeff Elliott, Senior Director of Product Management, Jenzabar
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
Listen in to #EdUp!
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
● Support EdUp at The EdUp Merch Experience!
We make education YOUR business!

May 29, 2024 • 34min
891: EdUp Mini Series, "The Currency of Change", Part 2 - with Dr. Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon & Andy Benis
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
This episode continues the EdUp Mini Series, "The Currency of Change", part 2
YOUR hosts are Dr. Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon, Vice Provost of Operations, Graduate and Professional Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University & Andy Benis, Associate VP of Marketing and Interim VP of Enrollment at Los Angeles Pacific University.
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!
● Support EdUp at The EdUp Merch Experience!
We make education YOUR business!

May 28, 2024 • 52min
890: Not Your Grandfather's Carnegie - with Dr. Timothy Knowles, President, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, & Dr. Shirley M. Collado, President & CEO, College Track
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guests are Dr. Timothy Knowles, President, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, & Dr. Shirley M. Collado, President & CEO, College Track
YOUR cohost is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is the Carnegie Foundation, under Dr. Knowles' leadership, taking an assertive run at the Carnegie Unit & pushing for transformation in both K-12 & post-secondary education?
What role is the Carnegie Post-Secondary Commission playing in reimagining higher education as an engine of social & economic mobility, & why was it important to have leaders like Dr. Collado co-chair?
How does College Track's intensive, 10-year commitment to underserved students from high school through college completion reflect the organization's conviction that "talent is everywhere, opportunity is not"?
From new classifications focused on social mobility to partnerships with College Track & African universities, how is Carnegie using its platform to drive innovation & collaboration for student success?
With the value proposition of higher ed increasingly questioned, what gives Drs. Knowles & Collado hope that post-secondary can evolve to meet the needs of today's learners?
As first-gen college students themselves, how do Drs. Knowles & Collado's lived experiences shape their sense of urgency & optimism about transformation in education?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!

May 26, 2024 • 49min
889: Passport to Possibility - with Terrence Cheng, Chancellor, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #278,
YOUR guest is Terrence Cheng, Chancellor, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities
YOUR cohost is Laura Ipsen, President & CEO of Ellucian
YOUR cohost is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is CSCU leveraging technology like AI to better support its 85,000 students across 12 community colleges, 4 universities, & an online state college?
As a first-generation college student & immigrant, how does Terrence's background shape his leadership approach in making higher education more equitable & accessible?
What key lessons has CSCU learned from its recent consolidation of 12 community colleges into a singly accredited institution, & what advice would Terrence offer other system leaders considering similar mergers?
With CSCU institutions serving as the primary drivers of socioeconomic mobility & workforce development in Connecticut, how is the system partnering with industry & government to strengthen career pathways?
From addressing learning loss to cultivating a culture of belonging, what are the most pressing challenges & opportunities facing CSCU in the years ahead?
As student demographics, learning modalities, & workforce needs rapidly evolve, what does Terrence see as the future of public higher education?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!

May 22, 2024 • 38min
888: Chipping Away at the Skills Gap - with Scott Dow, Board Member, LA Semiconductor & President, Heroic Game Day
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Scott Dow, Board Member, LA Semiconductor & President, Heroic Game Day
YOUR cohost is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How can immersive virtual environments that simulate real-world experiences like building computer chips or managing a farm inspire students to explore careers in high-demand fields?
What role can institutions of higher education play in supporting a cradle-to-career pipeline that cultivates the next generation of innovators, starting from the earliest grades?
With 70% of semiconductor industry jobs not requiring a college degree, how can Heroic Game Day connect underemployed parents to upskilling opportunities & well-paying careers?
How is Heroic Game Day partnering with industry leaders like LA Semiconductor to get elementary school students excited about STEM through game-based learning?
What skills do today's K-6 students need to thrive in a future shaped by artificial intelligence, & how does Heroic Game Day's platform help develop critical competencies like resilience, communication, & problem-solving?
As the U.S. faces a projected shortage of up to 1 million tech workers in the next decade, what lessons can be learned from Heroic Game Day's approach to engaging & preparing future talent?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!

May 21, 2024 • 48min
887: Opening the Gates - with Shai Reshef, Founder & President, University of the People
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #277, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Shai Reshef, Founder & President, University of the People
YOUR cohost is Douglas A.J. Carlson, Head of Partnerships - Americas, LeadSquared
How is University of the People opening the gates to higher education for over 137,000 students from 200 countries & territories who may not have had the opportunity otherwise?
What unique challenges do marginalized & underserved student populations like refugees, survivors of genocide, & Afghan women face in accessing higher education, & how is
University of the People supporting them?
How does University of the People's model of using open educational resources, volunteer faculty, & low overhead allow it to offer accredited, job-ready degrees at little to no cost to students?
What innovations in curriculum design, technology, & student support is University of the People implementing to ensure its diverse global learners can succeed & graduate?
From partnering with top universities to winning the Yidan Prize, what key milestones have marked University of the People's journey from startup to transformative force in higher ed over the past 15 years?
What lessons can traditional universities learn from University of the People about increasing accessibility, affordability & ROI for students, & what does Shai see as the future of higher education?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!

May 20, 2024 • 31min
886: EdUp Mini Series, "The Currency of Change", Part 1: "But We've Always Done It This Way" - with Dr. Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon & Andy Benis
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
This episode begins a new EdUp Mini Series, "The Currency of Change", with part 1: "But We've Always Done It This Way".
YOUR hosts are Dr. Jamie Brownlee-Turgeon, Vice Provost of Operations, Graduate and Professional Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University & Andy Benis, Associate VP of Marketing and Interim VP of Enrollment at Los Angeles Pacific University.
How can higher education institutions move beyond the mindset of "we've always done it this way" to adapt to the rapidly evolving needs & expectations of today's learners?
What are some of the faulty assumptions & old ways of thinking that are holding institutions back from necessary change & transformation?
How is the changing student demographic & the questioning of the value of higher education creating an existential crisis for the industry as a whole?
What role does institutional leadership play in facilitating honest conversations about the challenges ahead & collaborating across silos to develop solutions?
From personalized learning powered by AI to diversifying program modalities, what are some examples of colleges & universities successfully innovating to meet the moment?
What can individuals at all levels of an institution do to help shift mindsets, build relationships across departments, & contribute to a culture of continuous improvement?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!
● Support EdUp at The EdUp Merch Experience!
We make education YOUR business!

May 15, 2024 • 50min
885: Rehabilitating the System - with Dr. David C. Hayes, Forensic Psychologist & Instructor Working with Incarcerated Students, & Arti Finn, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Orijin
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guests are Dr. David C. Hayes, Forensic Psychologist & Instructor Working with Incarcerated Students, & Arti Finn, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Orijin
YOUR host is Dr. Jacob Easley II, Host, EdUp Xcelerated Excellence
How is Orijin transforming corrections from warehousing to rehabilitation by providing incarcerated individuals with technology for education, job training, & reentry planning?
What challenges & barriers do incarcerated students face in accessing higher education, & how are organizations like Orijin & educators like David working to overcome them?
Why is it critical to change the public perception & stigma around individuals involved with the criminal justice system to support their successful reentry & employment?
How can higher education institutions, corrections departments, & employers collaborate to provide meaningful educational opportunities & career pathways for justice-involved individuals?
What role does data play in Orijin's approach to individualized learning & motivating incarcerated students to engage in programming?
As the U.S. prison population exceeds 2 million & recidivism rates remain high, what do Arti & David see as the future of criminal justice reform & the power of education to break cycles of incarceration?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!
● Support EdUp at The EdUp Merch Experience!
We make education YOUR business!

May 14, 2024 • 41min
884: Redesigning Higher Ed for the Future - with Dr. Nan Travers, & Dr. Holly Zanville, Co-Leads, Credential As You Go
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guests are Dr. Nan Travers, Director for the Center for Leadership in Credential Learning, State University of New York, Empire State University & Co-lead, Credential As You Go, & Dr. Holly Zanville, Co-Lead, Credential As You Go, Research Professor, George Washington University, & Lead of the Learn & Work Ecosystem Library.
YOUR host is Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson, Vice President of Education & Workforce, Outreach Strategists, & Trustee at San Jacinto College,
How are the Credential As You Go initiative & the resources it provides helping institutions rethink credentialing to better serve the 40+ million Americans who have some college but no credential?
What are the six key approaches Credential As You Go has identified that institutions are taking to implement incremental credentialing, from "learn as you go" to "retro as you go"?
How is Credential As You Go working with states, higher education institutions, & accrediting agencies to make incremental credentialing the new normal in post-secondary education?
What role does the Learn & Work Ecosystem Library play in providing critical information to stakeholders navigating the complex landscape of credentials, pathways, & workforce initiatives?
How can faculty tap into the resources of Credential As You Go & the Learn & Work Ecosystem Library as they develop new incremental credentials?
What do Nan & Holly see as the future of higher education, & how can a lifelong, skills-based approach to credentialing transform economic opportunity & mobility for learners?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!
● Support EdUp at The EdUp Merch Experience!
We make education YOUR business!

May 13, 2024 • 43min
883: Cultivating Critical Thinking - with Salah Khalil, Founding Director, Macat International Limited
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Salah Khalil, Founding Director, Macat International Limited
YOUR cohost is Erika Liodice, Executive Director at the Alliance for Innovation & Transformation
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
Why is critical thinking the most important skill for the future, & how is Macat working to promote 21st century skills globally?
With AI rapidly changing education & employment, how can higher education institutions adapt their curriculums to focus on durable, transferable skills?
What does the research show about the best ways to teach & assess critical thinking skills?
How is Macat partnering with organizations like the OECD to measure critical thinking & creativity in higher education worldwide?
What can YOU learn from how different countries & cultures approach critical thinking education?
Why is global collaboration & partnership essential for addressing the looming skills gap crisis that could affect 1 billion people by 2030?
Listen in to #EdUp!
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!