In this episode, Dr. Justin Grimes, founder and CEO of Stick With It and Apply to Graduate School, shares his expertise on enhancing graduate school enrollment through strategic enrollment management (SEM). Drawing on his extensive experience in higher education and diversity, equity, and inclusion in graduate education, Dr. Grimes offers practical strategies and insights for institutions looking to navigate and improve their graduate enrollment processes. Key Discussion Points: The State of Gra...
Jan 23, 2024•41 min
Recent changes in the Education Department's regulations are reshaping mergers and acquisitions in higher education. These regulatory modifications, coupled with new negotiated rulemaking, are affecting not only the dynamics of institutional changes but also the roles of accreditors and state authorization bodies. Drumm McNaughton welcomes Mike Goldstein, Managing Director of the Center for Higher Education Transformation at Titan Partners, to discuss significant regulatory changes in the fiel...
Jan 16, 2024•39 min•Ep. 190
In this episode of Changing Higher Ed podcast, listeners will gain an insightful overview of how technology is reshaping the EdTech arena and the potential risks of the current state of OPMs. Dr. Drumm McNaughton discusses contemporary EdTech trends and predictions with Phil Hill, publisher of Phil on EdTech Blog and partner at MindWires LLC. They explore topics ranging from the recent changes in the OPM market due to enrollment, regulations, and cost of money, the potential transformations brou...
Jan 09, 2024•44 min•Ep. 189
In this episode, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Mary Papazian, Executive Vice President of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. They focus on higher education governance and discuss the significant " AGB Board of Directors’ Statement on Influences Impacting Governing Board Independence and Leadership ." This document, a noteworthy publication in AGB's 110-year history and only the 13th such statement, addresses crucial issues in contemporary educational go...
Jan 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 188
Welcome to our 2023 Higher Education Year in Review and Predictions for 2024 podcast. In this episode, Deborah Maue, Aurora University Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, and Dr. Drumm McNaughton review last year's 2023 higher education predictions and provide insights into the unexpected developments and what to prepare for in 2024. Review of the 2023 Predictions Continuing Decline in College Enrollment : The prediction of a continued decline in college enrollment in 2023 was ac...
Dec 26, 2023•55 min•Ep. 187
In this episode of 'Changing Higher Ed' Podcast, host Dr. Drum McNaughton and guest Dr. Carrie Lovelace Petr discuss the topic of creating a healthy workplace culture in Higher Education institutions. Dr. Petr, a former senior education officer turned consultant, shares her expertise on leadership development and adapting to workplace culture. They discuss the impact of technology and the culture of 'always-on' availability on employees' quality of life and how this can be managed better. They a...
Dec 19, 2023•43 min•Ep. 186
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) released its comprehensive report titled "Political Interference and Academic Freedom in Florida's Public Higher Education System." This report marks a critical juncture in the AAUP's history, being one of only eight special reports issued, and underscores a growing concern over political interference in the realm of academic governance. Hank Reichman, co-author of the report and co-chair of AAUP, joins the Changing Higher Ed podcast to di...
Dec 12, 2023•49 min•Ep. 185
In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton invites Dr. Brit Kirwan back to discuss the dynamic and challenging landscape of higher education. They discuss many of the high-stress challenges higher education presidents are facing today. With more capacity than students and issues like political interference, the decline in public trust, and the threats to academic freedom, the higher education president's role is more stressful than ever before. Overview: Dr. Kirwan shares his wisdom on the evolving l...
Dec 05, 2023•30 min•Ep. 184
In this episode of the podcast, Drumm, serving as both host and guest, explores the theme of thankfulness, particularly focusing on its importance in university leadership. He reflects on the challenges faced by university presidents and the significance of gratitude in overcoming these obstacles. Podcast Highlights Drumm discusses the history of Thanksgiving and its global relevance, underlining the benefits of gratitude, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. Emphasizing the role of thankfulness in diff...
Nov 28, 2023•10 min•Ep. 183
This episode of Washington Update examines significant changes and updates in higher education policy, with a focus on the Higher Education Act of 2019, the FAFSA Simplification Act, and various Title regulations. The discussion highlights the Biden-Harris administration's active role in Negotiated Rulemaking since late 2020, bringing about a comprehensive set of regulations affecting higher education. Washington Updates Discussed: Higher Education Act 2019 Changes: Emphasis on the need for a co...
Nov 21, 2023•39 min•Ep. 182
Facing tough times ahead, higher education enrollment is at a critical juncture, as discussed by seasoned experts Drumm McNaughton, Bill Conley, and Bob Massa in this episode. They examine the current landscape, characterized by fluctuating student numbers, the next two demographic cliffs, and changing educational trends. Drawing from recent reports by the National Student Clearinghouse and the College Board, they explore changing demographics, public skepticism towards higher education, and the...
Nov 14, 2023•42 min•Ep. 181
Navigating New Frontiers in Higher Education In the quest for sustainability and relevance, universities worldwide are confronting a pivotal moment that calls for a transformative rethinking of their traditional business models. The Ernst & Young white paper: How are you balancing the books for a digital future? discussed in the episode, created in partnership with Times Higher Education, delves into the global challenges facing the sector. The findings underscore a pressing narrative: enrollmen...
Nov 07, 2023•36 min•Ep. 180
Innovating Higher Education for a New Era When it comes to higher education, innovation isn't just about generating ideas; it's about knowing how to implement them effectively. In a world that's rapidly changing, colleges and universities need to adapt to meet the needs of today's students. Dr. Philly Mantella, the President of Grand Valley State University, is at the forefront of this innovation, breaking down the structural barriers of traditional education models and creating a student-centri...
Oct 31, 2023•38 min•Ep. 179
In this conversation between Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Dr. David R. Decker, the President of Franklin University, we explore three strategic moves aimed at driving higher education enrollment. Franklin University, which primarily serves non-traditional, part-time adult learners, offers a unique perspective on higher education. Podcast Highlights Applying the 4 Ps of Marketing to Higher Education David Decker discusses how applying the traditional marketing framework of the 4 Ps (Product, Price, P...
Oct 24, 2023•31 min•Ep. 178
This thought-provoking conversation dissects the structural disruptions in the higher education landscape. Drawing parallels with the entertainment industry, McNaughton and Smith explore the strategic turbulence ahead for higher education leaders. Key Discussion Points: Introduction to structural disruption and its defining role in today's higher education. A glance back at the entertainment industry and how technology shifted the ground beneath it. Unraveling the parallels: Both sectors control...
Oct 17, 2023•35 min•Ep. 177
Strategies for Seamless K-12 to Higher Ed Transitions, Embracing Online Learning, and Building Strong Institutional Foundations The second half of this two-part series with Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU)’s Chancellor Terrence Cheng explores the strategy CSCU uses to better communicate to high schoolers how connected K-12 is to higher ed to ensure equity and accessibility for all students. Cheng also shares how his system is revolutionizing its online learning model to better ...
Oct 11, 2023•27 min•Ep. 176
Learn how CSCU’s unification of its once-siloed community college is building a sustainable higher education model and helping improve retention and enrollment. The first half of this two-part series with Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU)’s Chancellor Terence Cheng explores how CSCU partners with local businesses to ensure equity and workforce preparation for its majority-minority student population. Forming Effective Partnerships with Local Businesses At UConn Stamford before c...
Oct 03, 2023•34 min•Ep. 175
This episode delves deep into the challenges of diversifying student bodies in higher education, especially in the wake of SCOTUS decisions on Affirmative Action. Dr. Thomas Parham and Dr. Dilcie Perez, stalwarts from the California State University system, bring their expertise and insights to the table. Drowning in Diversity Debates Higher education has always been a battleground of ideologies and policies. The introduction of Affirmative Action intended to level the playing field, but its jud...
Sep 27, 2023•45 min•Ep. 174
Although a for-profit institution, Post University employs a unique and effective two-fold approach to ensure graduates are career-ready with lifelong learning skills that “not-for-profit” universities can emulate on their campuses. In this podcast episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Director Camille Dumont of the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) about how she aligned career services with academia at Post University to better prepare students for the workforce. Camille...
Sep 12, 2023•36 min•Ep. 172
By 2032, college football playoff revenue and new lucrative conference media contracts are projected to reach $16 billion annually for 54 schools with the most lucrative football programs, according to a new report from Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics in partnership with CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen). During this same time frame, the report also finds that 26 of these 54 schools will likely pay their head football coaches and ten assistants more than what they spend on hundreds of athl...
Sep 05, 2023•35 min•Ep. 171
Higher education must strive to increase the average tenure of university presidents, which currently stands at a dismal 3.7 years. This can be accomplished by addressing ineffective presidential onboarding processes and shared governance practices, among others. In this second half of a two-part series, Dr. Drumm McNaughton discusses best practices and strategies with a nationally recognized authority figure who has one of the best track records and overall experience under his belt to speak on...
Aug 29, 2023•31 min•Ep. 170
President university turnover is a major problem in higher education, with the average tenure of leaders serving in this capacity at one institution declining sharply from 10 years to a shocking 3.7 years. In this first half of a two-part series, Dr. Drumm McNaughton discusses the challenges facing university presidents and why their tenures have become so short with a nationally recognized authority figure who has one of the best track records and overall experience under his belt to speak on s...
Aug 22, 2023•25 min•Ep. 169
Although higher ed as a whole believes in the importance of freedom of speech, very few agree on what the free exchange of ideas looks like and how it should function on campus. But with the current hostile political and social climate, it’s now more important than ever for higher ed to unite on what truly matters—protecting respectful and productive speech that leads to a better and kinder society. In his latest podcast episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with President Eric Hogue of Colorado ...
Aug 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 168
As higher ed faces enrollment challenges, fostering diverse pathways for first-gen students becomes crucial. Dr. Drumm McNaughton's podcast features Dr. Marielena DeSanctis, President of Community College of Denver, discussing innovative solutions based on her unique K-12 to community college leadership insights. She emphasizes essential K-12 partnerships for first-gen support and advocates for a family-oriented approach. Addressing orientation, graduation, and credit transfer, Dr. DeSanctis she...
Aug 08, 2023•43 min•Ep. 167
Higher education leaders who want to increase inclusion while maintaining affordability at their campus can emulate the actions of the Illinois Institute of Technology. By following three core principles, Illinois Tech has ranked first in the state for people it has successfully moved from the bottom 20th percentile of household income to the upper 20th percentile. Illinois Tech is also one of just 88 institutions named an American Talent Initiative ‘High-Flier’ by the Aspen Talent Institute and...
Aug 02, 2023•43 min•Ep. 166
Tier two (R2) research and smaller institutions, including two-year, minority-serving, and tribal colleges, can now build solid research infrastructures and perform groundbreaking discoveries through research enterprises on the same scale as larger R1 and flagship universities. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed ® , Drumm speaks with Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). They discuss how his organization helps democratize ideas in higher education, enabli...
Jul 25, 2023•37 min•Ep. 165
It is well known that public perception of post-secondary education is at an all-time low, as politics, rising tuition, and higher student debt is saddling students and graduates with more stress. And, despite reports showing that people with student debt can negatively affect society, the Supreme Court recently ruled that the $1.7 trillion in student debt cannot be forgiven despite what the HEA clearly states in the statutes. Research shows that students who must incur debt to attend college ha...
Jul 18, 2023•35 min•Ep. 164
The recent hack of MOVEit has serious implications for higher education. MOVEit, an application used by the National Student Clearinghouse and many other institutions to move large files, directly affects numerous higher ed institutions and solution providers. This, coupled with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act going into effect in early June of 2023, has (should have) put cybersecurity at the top of mind for college and university decision-makers. In his latest podcast episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton o...
Jul 11, 2023•33 min•Ep. 163
The recently filed and highly publicized Florida versus the Department of Education lawsuit could change the face of higher education across the US. At stake is the ability of accreditors to set standards in the accreditation versus how much state governments can be involved in accreditation affairs. Essentially the lawsuit is pushing to allow institutions to change their accreditors without being restricted by the Department of Education and that, as the owner of state schools, the state has co...
Jul 04, 2023•37 min•Ep. 162
Higher ed needs to provide more accessible, high-outcome internships to meet the current demands of the workforce and students. A recent McKinsey report finds that more than 85% of companies feel there is a skills gap between education and industry, and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified several career readiness skills students must have upon graduation but can only obtain through internships. Meanwhile, more than a third of entry-level jobs require three ye...
Jun 27, 2023•32 min•Ep. 161
