

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 8, 2024 • 40min
882: Lifelong Career Readiness - with Dr. Michelle Cheang, Director, Catalyze Challenge
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Dr. Michelle Cheang, Director, Catalyze Challenge
YOUR cohost is Dr. Constance St. Germain, President, Capella University
YOUR host is Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson, Owner of Vida Consulting for Higher Education & Trustee at San Jacinto College,
How is Catalyze working to reimagine education & wraparound services for young people to unlock economic opportunity, especially for historically underserved groups?
What are some of the innovative programs & partnerships Catalyze grantees are implementing to provide career exposure & exploration to middle & high school students?
How is Catalyze gathering insights & learnings from grantees to identify best practices in bridging K-12, higher education, & employers to create workforce-aligned pathways?
What role do families play in successful career education programs, & how are Catalyze grantees engaging parents as partners?
From AI integration to regional workforce needs, what trends is Dr. Cheang seeing in the proposals to the Catalyze Challenge grant program?
What does Dr. Cheang see as the future of workforce development for young people, & how can a lifelong, experiential approach to career readiness transform outcomes?
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 7, 2024 • 1h 11min
881: EdUp Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs) Mini Series - with Lori Sherman, President, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, & Christopher Caldwell, President, College of Menominee Nation
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #275 & 276, & part of an EdUp Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs) Mini Series,
YOUR guests are Lori Sherman, President, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, & Christopher Caldwell, President, College of Menominee Nation
YOUR hosts are Dr. Erica J Moore, Vice President for Indigenous Institutional Transformation, & Amber Morseau, Indigenous Institutional Transformation Specialist, American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
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 6, 2024 • 49min
880: Championing Equity in Challenging Times - with Dr. John J. “Ski” Sygielski, President & CEO, HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #274, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Dr. John J. “Ski” Sygielski, President & CEO, HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College,
YOUR cohost is Maureen Murphy, Retired President, College of Southern Maryland
YOUR host is Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson, Owner of Vida Consulting for Higher Education & Trustee at San Jacinto College,
How is Dr. Sygielski working to address structural racism & promote diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging at HACC, even amid pushback from some legislators?
What innovations has HACC implemented to support student success, especially for under-represented populations, through wraparound services, mentoring programs, & community partnerships?
How is HACC adapting to the changing needs & expectations of students, including the demand for shorter-term credentials, flexibility, & alignment with workforce needs?
As HACC explores integrating artificial intelligence & other emerging technologies, what opportunities & challenges does Dr. Sygielski anticipate for teaching, learning & college operations?
With the shifting demographics & needs of students, how does Dr. Sygielski envision the future of higher education & the necessity for community colleges to be agile, innovative & focused on relevance?
What lessons can other higher ed leaders learn from Dr. Sygielski's insights on courageous leadership, change management, & keeping students at the center of decision-making?
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!

Apr 29, 2024 • 36min
879: A Corporate Model for Student Success - with Dr. Jason Hale, Director of Education Success, Havenpark Communities
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Dr. Jason Hale, Director of Education Services, Havenpark Communities
YOUR cohost is Elvin Freytes
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is Havenpark Communities, a manufactured home operator & developer, working to support the educational success of its residents through programs like scholarships, mentoring, & college access clubs?
What inspired the creation of Havenpark's education initiatives, & how has Dr. Hale's background in higher education admissions & high school counseling informed his approach to this unique role?
How is Havenpark partnering with colleges & universities to create pathways & opportunities for its residents, many of whom are first-generation students? What additional partnerships would Dr. Hale like to see?
Through the stories of Havenpark's scholarship recipients, how is the company working to change perceptions & break down stereotypes about who lives in manufactured home communities?
As Havenpark's education programs continue to expand, what new initiatives is Dr. Hale excited to launch to support residents at every stage of their educational journeys, from elementary school through college & beyond?
What lessons can leaders in higher education learn from Havenpark's innovative approach to corporate social responsibility & its deep commitment to the educational success of its residents?
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!

Apr 23, 2024 • 43min
878: Differentiating for the Win - with Dr. Robert E. Johnson, President, Western New England University
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #273, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Dr. Robert E. Johnson, President, Western New England University,
YOUR cohost is Dr. Aisha Francis, President, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology,
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How is Western New England University creating a "powerful preparation for the future of work" through its focus on the new traditional university, agile mind education, & personal exploration & growth?
What strategies has Western New England employed to achieve strong enrollment growth, high job placement rates, & social mobility for its graduates, even amid challenging demographic trends?
How is Dr. Johnson working to foster an agile, data-driven culture of innovation & change at Western New England in order to "adapt or die" in a rapidly evolving higher ed landscape?
As a leader, how does Dr. Johnson approach difficult conversations & feedback, separating the "personality from the profession" to identify valid issues that need to be addressed?
What lessons can other higher ed leaders learn from Dr. Johnson's experience successfully differentiating Western New England & communicating its value proposition in the competitive Massachusetts market?
What does Dr. Johnson see as the biggest opportunities & challenges for the future of higher education, & what role does he believe this generation of students will play in solving the world's problems?
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!

Apr 22, 2024 • 49min
877: Defying the Odds - with Dr. Waded Cruzado, President, Montana State University
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #272, brought to YOU by Jenzabar's Annual Meeting (JAM 2024),
YOUR guest is Dr. Waded Cruzado, President, Montana State University,
YOUR cohost is Dr. Bruce C. Kusch, President of Ensign College,
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How has Dr. Cruzado's commitment to the land-grant mission shaped her leadership at Montana State University over her 14-year tenure as president?
What strategies has Montana State employed to promote access & student success while growing its research profile as a Carnegie R1 university?
How is Montana State integrating undergraduate research experiences & industry-aligned micro-credentials into its degree pathways to provide hands-on learning & workforce readiness?
Through initiatives like the Hilleman Scholars Program, how is Dr. Cruzado working to expand college access & success for promising students who may not see themselves as "college material"?
What lessons can other higher ed leaders learn from Dr. Cruzado's experience leading Montana State through challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic & avoiding the enrollment declines & budget cuts facing many other institutions?
What does Dr. Cruzado see as the biggest opportunities & challenges for the future of higher education, especially around communicating the value proposition of a college degree in an era of technological disruption?
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!

Apr 19, 2024 • 1h 2min
876: A Panel Discussion from InsightsEDU 2024 - with Karl Daubmann, Dr. Melik Khoury, & Dr. Joe Sallustio
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this very special episode, recorded in person as part of a panel discussion on Navigating the Future: Placing Students at the Heart of Higher Education, from the InsightsEDU 2024 conference in Phoenix, AZ,
YOUR guests are Karl Daubmann, Dean, College of Architecture & Design, Lawrence Technological University, Dr. Melik Khoury, President & Chief Executive Officer, Unity Environmental University, Dr. Joe Sallustio, Chief Experience Officer, Lindenwood University
YOUR moderator is Tracy Kreikemeier, Chief Relationship Officer, EducationDynamics
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!

Apr 16, 2024 • 1h 14min
875: EdUp Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs) Mini Series - with Dr. Celeste R. Townsend, President, California Indian Nations College, & Manoj Patil, President, Little Priest Tribal College
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, President Series #271, & part of an EdUp Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCUs) Mini Series,
YOUR guests are Dr. Celeste R. Townsend, President, California Indian Nations College, & Manoj Patil, President, Little Priest Tribal College
YOUR hosts are Dr. Erica J Moore, Vice President for Indigenous Institutional Transformation, & Amber Morseau, Indigenous Institutional Transformation Specialist, American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
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!

Apr 15, 2024 • 41min
874: Higher Ed's Next Frontier - with Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode,
YOUR guest is Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
YOUR cohost is Brent Fitch, President, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD)
YOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio
How has Marni's journey at Coursera evolved over the past year as Chief Content Officer? What have been the biggest surprises & challenges?
How is Coursera partnering with universities to incorporate cutting-edge content like generative AI into courses & curricula in an agile way?
What are the trends Marni is seeing in learner demand for micro-credentials & short, job-aligned skill building courses & certifications? How is Coursera enabling pathways from these into full degrees?
Beyond universities, how is Coursera working with employers & governments to curate content for reskilling/upskilling & to build out educational infrastructure & talent pipelines?
What does Marni see as the future of higher education in an era of rapid technological change & a growing focus on lifelong learning & skills?
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!

Apr 10, 2024 • 13min
873: LIVE From Ellucian Live 2024 - with Cyndi Cain Fitzgerald, University Manager of Business Intelligence Analytics, Antioch University
It’s YOUR time to #EdUp
In this episode, recorded in person at the Ellucian Live 2024 Conference in San Antonio, Texas, #elive24,
YOUR guest is Cyndi Cain Fitzgerald, University Manager of Business Intelligence Analytics, Antioch University
YOUR host is Elvin Freytes
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!