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FOCUS

TouchNet Information Systems, Inc.focus.fireside.fm
When you’re challenged with a new problem at your school, wouldn’t it be nice to hear from someone who’s already solved that very same challenge? Each episode, we’ll interview a university administrator or industry expert about the problems they’ve solved and how they addressed it. If you’re a campus administrator, IT director or work in student affairs or the bursar’s office and you want solid ideas for solving your campus’ challenges, this podcast is for you.
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Episodes

Episode 306: SponsorPoint at Wichita State with Robyn Bongartz and Ryan Lohfink

In this episode, Heather speaks with Wichita State’s Robyn Bongartz, Director of Student & AR Fiscal Operations, and Ryan Lohfink, Student Account Specialist. They walk through how they use TouchNet’s solution SponsorPoint for third party payments and how it’s created efficiencies for students, staff and sponsors alike. TouchNet SponsorPoint is an innovative software solution designed to connect contract sponsors to campus information systems using the latest web-based technology. Using Spon...

Sep 13, 202132 min

Episode 305: NACUBO Report Update with Bryan Dickson

Heather hosts Bryan Dickson, director of student financial services and educational programs at NACUBO. He talks about the data from the 2020 Student Financial Services Benchmarking Study and shares his insights on procedures, staffing and payments on higher learning campuses. Special Guest: Bryan Dickson.

Aug 23, 202127 min

Episode 304: Digital Transformation at Redeemer University

In this episode, Heather speaks with Len Moelker, director of information technology at Redeemer University in Hamilton, Ontario. He tells her about the digital transformation initiative that has set Redeemer University well on its way to being a contactless campus. Redeemer University in Hamilton, Ontario is in a digital transformation. Using a six-phased plan called the Reaching Higher Initiative, the university is bringing an innovative, contactless approach to campus life. Redeemer began emb...

Aug 09, 202130 min

Episode 303: Better Outcomes with Tuition Protection

Heather hears from Derrick Shy, Vice President of business development at GradGuard. COVID-19 UPDATE: NEW EPIDEMIC COVERAGE ENDORSEMENT AND SPECIAL PLAN ACCOMMODATION We are pleased to announce that all GradGuard tuition insurance plans purchased on or after February 18, 2022 will now include a new Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which can provide coverage for when an insured student completely withdraws from school for the covered term due to becoming ill with any epidemic or pandemic disease, i...

Jul 26, 202132 min

Episode 302: Improving Processes with EmoryCard

On this episode Heather is joined by Kim Pfeffer, Director of Emory Card at Emory University. Kim explains how changes and updates with the campus card have affected and improved processes for staff and students alike. Special Guest: Kim Pfeffer.

Jul 12, 202144 min

Episode 205: Using KPIs on Campus with Christine Blakney

Christine Blakney is the managing director of student business services at Texas Tech University. She walks us through how KPIs, or key performance indicators, have helped the campus business and students on campus as a whole. Special Guest: Christine Blakney.

Nov 17, 202043 min

Episode 203: Positive Outcomes from the Pandemic with Valarie Van Vlack

Valarie Van Vlack is the Treasurer at Texas State University. She tells Heather about the changes that have happened on campus since the pandemic, like how data has helped her make decisions across campus which will serve the students and the business, as well as how they've created a virtual (instead of physical) one-stop-shop for students, Special Guest: Valarie Van Vlack.

Oct 20, 202024 min

Episode 202: Protecting Students' and Schools' Investment with John Fees

John Fees, Founder of GradGuard, talks with Heather about what his company does and why it's necessary. GradGuard is a sort of insurance program that supports students through unexpected events, which allows schools to protect the students they serve. He helps me understand the growing need for students and schools to be protected should the unthinkable happen. Special Guest: John Fees.

Sep 22, 202029 min

Episode 201: Working Toward a Contactless Campus with Jennifer McNeill

Jennifer McNeill, ONEcard Manager at the University of Alberta in Canada explains to Heather how students and staff in Alberta are working towards a contactless campus this fall and how TouchNet's ONEcard is helping to accomplish this goal. Special Guest: Jennifer McNeill.

Sep 08, 202029 min

Episode 108: NACUBO Report Update with Bryan Dickson

Bryan Dickson, director of student financial services and educational programs at NACUBO talks us through the results of the recently published 2019 Student Financial Services Benchmarking Study, as well as the Policies and Procedures report. The report helps gauge trends and challenges colleges and universities are facing today. Special Guest: Bryan Dickson.

Apr 28, 202036 min

Episode 107: Columbia College's Payment Plans Game Changer with Denise Gelina

Denise Gelina, from Columbia College, describes how having flexible payment plan options benefits the university’s diverse student body and their needs. She outlines how each plan is customized to serve both traditional and non-traditional students, specifically active military students. Special Guest: Denise Gelina.

Apr 14, 202014 min

Episode 105: Protecting the Student Account with Meghan Carr

Meghan Carr, director of the cashier’s office at the University of Missouri, explains how the university combated poor retention due to inconsistent and delayed student fees by implementing Marketplace, a separate real-time payment platform. She highlights the process of implementing the system and the many convenient functionalities of Marketplace and its short-term and long-term benefits. Special Guest: Meghan Carr.

Mar 17, 202019 min

Episode 104: Business Officer Survey with Doug Lederman

Doug Lederman, editor and co-founder of Inside Higher Ed, breaks down the surprising results of the most recent business officer survey. The overview provides national insights as to how higher education business officers are feeling about the current state of higher education. Lederman explains how universities are reacting to common national issues of resource restraint, decreasing traditional student enrollment and the perception of the value of a college degree. He dives into how universitie...

Mar 03, 202027 min

Episode 103: Creative Campus Cards with Colorado School of Mines

Bob Mask, director of campus card services at the Colorado School of Mines, explains how his campus uses credential cards for more than just identification. He outlines how individual electronic cards are used throughout the summer for many on-campus events and camps with a variety of attendees and visitors. Mask highlights the convenient functions of the cards from building access to meal time checkout and the variety of benefits. In partnership with Student Conference Services, Mask and his ca...

Feb 18, 202020 min

Episode 102: Uncovering the Business Email Compromise with Tom Arnold

Tom Arnold, cofounder of Payment & Security Experts, explains the evolution of payment technology and the potential security risks of having an unprotected network. He dives into recent security trends specific to higher education institutes and methods to avoid being a victim of cyber fraud. He specifically highlights email phishing threats to universities and precautions campuses can take action to avoid being hacked. From the early days of the internet, Arnold and his team have been fight...

Feb 04, 202028 min

Episode 101: BamaBots with Kristy Pritchett

Kristy Pritchett, director of student account services at the University of Alabama, provides an overview of the artificial intelligence bots used in robotic automated processes at her university. She explains the process of obtaining and implementing a new chat bot that helps students by answering frequently asked questions, leaving staff more time to focus on more complicated and specific student needs. Pritchett explains the great success and benefits of having an automated system in the stud...

Jan 21, 202020 min
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