The EdUp Experience

Welcome back to America's leading higher education podcast! In this incredible episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by Incubeta, we welcome Michelle Westfort, Chief University Officer, InStride. Listen in as special guest cohosts, Holly Owens, host of EdUp EdTech, and Dr. Stacey Gonzales, host of EdUp Edge K-12, talk with Michelle about the amazing work that is being, and will be, done at InStride. Michelle shares her thoughts and what she likes to call working to learn and learning to work. Tune in to learn what, according to Michelle, higher education institutions are starting to lean more into.  Michelle Westfort brings more than 20 years of professional experience in higher education programs and partnerships to InStride. In her current role as Chief University Officer, she oversees the entire Academic Partnerships team and leads the development of InStride’s highly curated global network of academic partners, which includes top tier research universities. Prior to joining InStride, Michelle was the Vice President of Business Development for The Learning House (acquired by Wiley) where she was responsible for developing higher education partnerships to build online programs. Previously, she held leadership positions at Pivot Worldwide, building workforce development opportunities for global learners and at Navitas, the Australian based pathway provider responsible for expanding enrollments at US-based public universities from major markets including the Middle East, China and Latin America. Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by Element451, we talk with Kathleen deLaski, Founder & CEO, Education Design Lab. Listen in as Joe and Liz talk with Kathleen about the amazing work that is being, and will be, done at Education Design Lab. Kathleen shares her thoughts and what she likes to call the learner revolution. Tune in to learn more!  Kathleen founded the Education Design Lab after eight years on the Board of Virginia’s largest public university, George Mason. A social entrepreneur, she has launched or co-launched four non-profits in the past two decades, all related to improving the quality of education for non-elite students. With the Lab, she saw the need for a non-profit to help learning institutions and other players design education toward the future of a fast changing world.  The Lab has supported some 125 colleges, as well as employers and high school districts and regions, in their move toward a skills based economy.  Kathleen has been asked to share learnings and ideas about the learner-driven skills revolution around the world. In addition, Kathleen serves as the president of the deLaski Family Foundation, a leading grantmaker in education reform and new pathways to the middle class. She founded and served as board chair for EdFuel, a national non-profit working to build a diverse talent leadership pipeline for K-12 education. Previously, Kathleen created Sallie Mae’s award-winning college access foundation, co-founded Building Hope, a charter school facilities financing non-profit and helped Michelle Rhee create StudentsFirst, a national advocacy movement to improve school options and quality. Spending five years at America Online, she developed the first interactive tools to engage the public online in elections and the political process and helped the biggest news organizations create digital brands. She and her boss, Steve Case, were named by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics among “25 People Changing the World.” Kathleen was named by President Clinton as Chief Spokesman for the Pentagon, where she oversaw the military’s worldwide public information team. She also spent 13 years as a TV journalist, including 5 years as an ABC News Washington correspondent. Thanks so much for tuning in.  Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #72. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Michael A. Baston President at Rockland Community College. Michael talks to us about the equitable realities of some communities, including financial fragility and lack of access to high wage and high opportunity jobs. This is why community colleges can be the colleges of first choice - to build bridges for students to further their education action and economic value. Michael says the caste system of higher ed must be addressed. Some consider community college to be “the 13th grade”, which is an uninformed and antiquated view of the work of community colleges. Finally Michael challenges all of us to take steps beyond statements when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This episode is FIRE! Dr. Michael A. Baston is the 7th President of Rockland Community College. A national leader who helps develop comprehensive supports that foster college completion, Dr. Baston’s work has been featured on MSNBC, and in The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Atlantic, The Community College Times, and Black Enterprise Magazine. Additionally, he’s a contributing author to Race, Education, and Reintegrating Formerly Incarcerated Citizens and The Handbook for Student Affairs in Community Colleges. Dr. Baston was a member of the inaugural class of Aspen Institute Presidential Fellows for Community College Excellence where he explored systemic issues affecting the educational access pipeline and student success. As a national Guided Pathways coach for American Association of Community Colleges, he is noted for his work with college leadership teams around the nation, helping them integrate student success initiatives to advance college completion. Dr. Baston is the incoming Co-Chair of Jobs For The Future’s Policy Leadership Trust, a Commissioner of American Association of Community College’s Commission on Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation and member of the National Advisory Board of Center for Community College Student Engagement Another episode sponsored by our great friends at MDT Marketing! Get your free marketing consultation today! mdtmarketing.com/edup Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! In this episode, sponsored by Claremont Lincoln University, we welcome Todd Eicher, Co-Founder, ClearDegree.  Todd co-founded ClearDegree to help students work through the admissions process with all of the necessary information to make an informed decision.  With ClearDegree, students can finally find a program that checks off all the boxes, even the boxes they didn’t know existed! With choice comes confusion, and with confusion comes an opportunity for a big mistake when making their 2nd largest investment after a home.  Todd tells us how an education concierge helps students avoid pitfalls of uninformed decision-making. Todd Eicher has dedicated more than 20 years to the Education industry as an innovative leader and executive.  During this time Todd has served in a variety of capacities including Senior Vice President, Executive Director, and Chief Mergers and Acquisitions Officer for Nelnet, Inc.   More recently Todd served as the CEO of Nelnet Enrollment Solutions, CUnet, Sparkroom, Petersons, and Smart Degree; helping students prepare to pursue their higher education goals, and working with schools to effectively market to and enroll high-quality student candidates.   Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #71. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Julie Wollman, President of Widener University.  Julie talks with Joe about how the mission at Widener is to empower their learning community to create better futures.  This includes the recognition that "soft" skills are anything but soft.  They are critical or POWER skills.  Students need to be ready for their many careers by becoming tenacious.  Students also want different things - Julie touches on the key marketing components of higher education including changing expectations, speed, and reducing friction.  Listen to her talk about why traditional strategic planning needs to be tossed away!  Finally, hear about The Common Ground Project! Dr. Julie E. Wollman is a passionate, effective advocate and leader for higher education. She is the tenth president of Widener University, a role she assumed in January of 2016. Guided by a relentless pursuit of excellence, she has articulated a clear vision and distinct goals for the university focused on providing an unparalleled learning experience.  Leading with enthusiasm, authenticity, and strong respect for others, Dr. Wollman is nationally recognized for her commitment to building community and bringing people from varying perspectives together. The Common Ground project continues to garner national attention as a model for campus dialogue. Another episode sponsored by our great friends at MDT Marketing! Get your free marketing consultation today! mdtmarketing.com/edup Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, VP for Student Success at St. Phillip's College & the next President of Community College of Aurora! Liz and special guest host Maagic Collins, host of Fight the Funk podcast, have a fascinating conversation with Mordecai on a range of higher education topics. Listen in as Mordecai talks about his personal journey to mental and physical health and why he loves talking with students about creating their mission and value statements.  Dr. Brownlee, an inclusive educator who is committed to the intellectual and economic empowerment of diverse communities, brings an impressive resume in advancing student access, expanding student support services, and empowering academic pathways at several public and private higher education institutions, including St. Philip’s College in Texas, the University of Charleston in West Virginia, Blinn College District in Texas, and Houston Baptist University. Another episode sponsored by our great friends at MDT Marketing! Get your free marketing consultation today! mdtmarketing.com/edup Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America's leading higher education podcast! In this incredible episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by Incubeta, we welcome Patrick Methvin, Director of Postsecondary Success at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Patrick came on EdUp before the report released by the Postsecondary Value Commission, but he was able to give us a sneak peek by discussing the importance of the Equitable Value Movement, including the importance of setting an action agenda.  The Gates Foundation is focused on investing in innovations that remove barriers and accelerate growth for students - and the student's voice is a critical piece of the higher education improvement movement.  It's about transformational change and defining what the student experience looks like in the future - Patrick says we must eliminate race, ethnicity, income, and inequality factors from being predictors of student success.  At the beginning of the pandemic, Bill Gates asked Patrick if higher education would be the most disrupted of the Gates Foundation 36 funding initiatives! Patrick Methvin, director of Postsecondary Success in the United States Program, oversees work designed to significantly increase the number of Americans achieving a post-high school credential and eliminate educational attainment disparities by race and income.  Previously, Patrick served as deputy director for the Postsecondary Success strategy, focusing on the adoption and scaling of innovations associated with improving student success and institutional sustainability. Prior to joining the foundation in 2013, Patrick served as a principal in the Boston Consulting Group’s Social Impact and Consumer Goods Practice Areas. Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by The Evolllution, we talk with Dennett Edwards, Founder & CEO, Corona Haze Professional Development Group.  Liz is joined by special cohost, Holly Owens, as they talk with Dennett about the amazing story involving the creation  of her professional development group during the height of Covid-19. Listen in as they discuss Dennet’s story that involves Facebook, LinkedIn, and our Producer.  Dennett Edwards is the Founder of the Corona Daze Professional Development (CDPD) Group. After twenty years of working in local and international community development and education, she decided to use her skills and abilities to respond to record unemployment rates stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.  She is passionate about increasing professional access and representation of people of color, people from the LGBTQIA community and other marginalized groups in all industries and employment spaces. Dennett dedicated herself to enhancing workforce development opportunities for all through education, resources, and mentorship. Thanks so much for tuning in.  Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #70. In this episode, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we welcome Dr. Melody Rose, Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education! Joe and Liz have a fascinating conversation with Melody on a range of higher education topics, from K-12 prep to the impact of Covid. Listen in as Melody tells a wonderful story about using intentionality in the hiring process to diversify faculty! During a 25-year career in higher education Dr. Rose has been a leader as an academic faculty member and administrator, who has focused on improving student access and success to higher education in Oregon. Dr. Rose’s leadership roles have included serving as the Chancellor of the Oregon University System, Portland State University’s Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Instruction and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and chair of Portland State University’s Division of Political Science. Prior to creating and running the consulting firm Rose Strategies, LLC, Dr. Rose most recently served as President of Marylhurst University from 2014 to 2019. Another episode sponsored by our great friends at MDT Marketing! Get your free marketing consultation today! mdtmarketing.com/edup Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

Welcome back to America’s leading higher education podcast! This is The EdUp Experience President Series Episode #69. In this episode, sponsored by Element451, we welcome  Dr. Michael Torrence, President, Motlow State Community College! Michael covers a range of topics in this episode as he and Joe discussed what's happening in higher ed.  At Motlow State Community College, Michael talks about how they turned face-to-face content into quality online content - and are not iterating to the next level using AI and VR.  Additionally, he talks about the robotics and training center at Motlow State - where he notes that institutional responsibility is to provide students with the skill they need to work.  He highlights Motlow's use of open educational resources and workforce development groups as alternatives to the traditional model.  Also, hear what "marginalized" student means to Michael - and it may not be what you think. Seated as the 7th President of Motlow State Community College, Dr. Michael L. Torrence comes as a leader, life-long learner, innovator, collaborator, academician, and administrator. He is successful in serving and transforming rural, urban, and suburban communities.  Dr. Torrence is a champion of the community college and its mission. Dr. Torrence’s higher education career spans more than 23 years and represents a demonstrated love of the teaching and learning community, working both as faculty and as an administrator in Student Affairs as well as Academic Affairs.  Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!