TransferTALK

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to provide access in higher education? For decades, institutions have answered that question with a focus on admission — increasing application volume, improving yield, and shaping incoming classes. But as this conversation between Jay Fedje and Dr. James Steen makes clear, that definition is no longer enough. In today’s environment, access must be underst...

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to lead the institution that helped shape who you are? In this episode of TransferTALK , Jay sits down with Dr. Phil Cook, President of Lee University, for a deeply personal and insightful conversation about leadership, calling, and the evolving realities of higher education. Phil shares his journey as a first-generation college student from rural West Virgi...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an enrollment leader becomes a university president? In Episode 24 of TransferTALK, Jay Fedje sits down with Dr. André Stephens, President of Fresno Pacific University, to explore leadership in one of the most challenging eras in higher education. With a career that began in admissions and evolved through student development and executive leadership, Dr. Stephens...

Send us Fan Mail Every student’s path to a college degree is unique—often winding, sometimes uncertain, but always filled with potential. In this episode of TransferTALK , Jay Fedje sits down with Jaime Smith , author of The Complete Guide to College Transfer , to explore how transparency, empathy, and thoughtful guidance can transform the transfer experience. Drawing on her extensive background i...

Send us Fan Mail Higher education has been navigating a decade of disruption. In this episode of TransferTALK , Jay Fedje sits down with Jon McGee , author of Breakpoint: The Changing Marketplace for Higher Education , to revisit the forces reshaping colleges and universities and examine how those predictions are playing out today. McGee has spent much of his career studying the demographic, econo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of TransferTALK, Jay sits down with Paul Singh of Phi Theta Kappa to explore the rapidly shifting world of credit transfer in 2026. They discuss PTK’s mission evolution, the rise of dual-enrolled and adult learners, and the changing expectations of students who now compare institutions based on transparency and transfer-friendliness. Paul shares national insights a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of TransferTALK , Jay sits down with John McLoughlin , Associate Dean of Enrollment Management & Student Success at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, to explore how the future of work is reshaping the future of college. NYU SPS has built a reputation for serving adult learners, transfer students, and working professionals with surprising agility — and John...

Send us Fan Mail What if the future of community college enrollment isn’t just about 18-22-year-olds—but also 73-year-olds? In this episode, Jay sits down with Dr. Dan Predoehl, Assistant Dean of Extended Learning at Saddleback College and a nationally respected voice in equity-centered enrollment strategy. They explore Saddleback’s Emeritus Institute—one of the largest senior education programs i...

Send us Fan Mail  Accrediting bodies are changing their tune on credit transfer — and it could reshape higher education. In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with higher ed researcher and consultant Scott Jeffe to unpack the recent Accreditors endorsement of AI in credit assessment and what it means for institutions and students. Jay and Scott tackle the barriers that still f...

Send us Fan Mail Description: In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje welcomes Heath Einstein , Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Texas Christian University , for a candid conversation on the shifting world of college admissions. Jay and Heath cover a wide range of topics: TCU’s student-centered strategic plan The post-NACAC admissions landscape Building partnerships across campus...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje is joined by Scott Novak , entrepreneur, consultant, and unapologetic advocate for small colleges. Together, they tackle the hard truths facing small institutions: outdated systems, shrinking budgets, rising student expectations — and the fierce resistance to change that keeps many from moving forward. You’ll hear Scott’s take on: H...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of TransferTALK , Jay Fedje sits down with Jon Endicott , Dean of Student Services at West Hills College Coalinga , to get real about what it means to be truly transfer-friendly. With experience in both Private higher ed and the California community college system, Jon shares insights on serving non-traditional students, adult learners, and first-gen students—all w...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to TransferTALK, the podcast where we dive deep into all things transfer and higher ed—without putting you to sleep! Today’s guest is someone who knows the transfer game inside and out. He’s been on both sides of the higher ed fence—faculty, administrator, recruiter—you name it, he’s done it. I’m talking about Martin Smith, who’s leading the charge as the Assistant Vi...

Send us Fan Mail Title : “Rewiring the System: Fixing Transfer Credit at UMass Amherst with Dr. Patrick Sullivan” Description : In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Dr. Patrick Sullivan , University Registrar at UMass Amherst, to explore what it really takes to fix an archaic transfer credit system at a major public institution. Together, they cover: How Patrick tackled...

Send us Fan Mail Artificial intelligence is reshaping higher ed faster than most campuses can keep up. In part two of this multi-part transferTALK series, Jay Fedje sits down again with AI ethicist and policy expert Dr. David Hatami from EduPolicy.ai to unpack where AI is taking us next. They dive into: Harvard’s international student visa crisis and AI’s potential role in virtual education The ev...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Dr. Gavin Hamms, seasoned Enrollment Strategist, Visionary, and Consultant. Together, they dive into the complex and evolving challenges of higher education enrollment, retention, and the future of student success. You’ll hear Gavin’s fresh takes on: The need to reimagine education for non-traditional learners How HB...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 10 – Demystifying Credit Mobility: Transfer Support through Inbound with Michelle Stipp In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Michelle Stipp , Associate Vice President of Financial Aid and Enrollment Services at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. With over 20 years of experience in admissions and financial aid, Michelle has a front-row seat to t...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Description : Artificial Intelligence isn’t just knocking on higher ed’s door—it’s already inside, sipping coffee in the faculty lounge. In this episode of transferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Dr. David Hatami—AI ethicist, author, speaker, policy consultant, and founder of EduPolicy.ai—for a candid, insightful, and surprisingly funny conversation about how colleges...

Send us Fan Mail Hello, and welcome to another episode of transferTALK, the podcast where we explore the ever-evolving landscape of student transfers and higher education. I'm your host, Jay Fedje, and today we have a guest whose passion for college degree access and the student experience is truly inspiring. Joining us is Dr. Matt Boyce, a dedicated higher education professional with a rich...

Send us Fan Mail Joining host Jay Fedje, is Kevin Windholz, the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Oklahoma City University. Since 2012, Kevin has been at the helm of domestic and international admissions, financial aid, student accounts, and university marketing and communications. As a member of the President’s cabinet, he has played a pivotal role in authoring the University's Str...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s show is part 2 of a conversation Jay has with Ryan Morabito, Senior Advisor/Strategist at 5° Branding. In quick recap of part 1, they discussed the elements of getting a better understanding of a college’s “Invisible Audience” of transfer and dormant degree seekers through “pulse research”. That is,  frequent quick surveys to gauge the ever-changing dynamics of a complicat...

Send us Fan Mail In this Episode of TransferTALK, Jay talks to Ryan Morabito, Senior Advisor/Strategist at 5° Branding. Ryan is well known as a marketing guru in higher education. You may know him from his Marketing Truth posts on LinkedIn that start with sharp insights and end with “This is the Way”! Ryan was asked to be on the show for two reasons: one he’s an out of the box marketer and two his...

Send us Fan Mail In this Episode of TransferTALK Jay talks with Dr. Su Jin Jez, CEO of California Competes, who leads that charge with vision, creativity, and personal experience as a first-gen student herself. In this second of a two-part series, Jay is encouraged as he hopes you’ll be, with the commitment that organizations like California Competes maintains for underserved and invisible “non-tr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of TransferTALK Jay talks with Drew Melendres, Co-Founder of DegreeSight. Drew’s background in higher education and more specifically with non-traditional and transfer students is both extensive and significant. Drew has a uniquely broad view of how the recruitment market has been, where it is currently, and where it is going. Yes, he’s one of those prognosticators...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of TransferTALK Jay talks with Dr. Laura Bernhard, Senior Researcher at California Competes, a non-profit organization focused on researching and advocating for students who have started but have not finished their college degree in the state of California. They’ll wrestle with the challenges of identifying and holistically supporting a giant national community of...