Get Down to College Business

Sarah Holtan, PhD, sits down with Lucie Lapovsky, PhD, a financial expert in higher education and Principal of Lapovsky Consulting. In today's episode, discover how tuition pricing strategies could hold the key to college sustainability, especially in the face of declining enrollments and a challenging educational landscape. Lucie's insights offer a fresh perspective, challenging the conventional...

Sarah Holtan, PhD sits down with Nicole Gahagan, Ed. D., Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Madison Area Technical College, to talk about the intricate world of change management within higher education. In this episode, Dr. Gahagan shakes up the conventional approach to institutional change by focusing intently on human needs. Looking to improve student success and employee expe...

Sarah Holtan, PhD chats with Elliot Felix, who is a Student Success Author, Speaker, and Consultant, about breaking down the silos in higher education to truly support students. Discover practical ways to shift from fragmented efforts to intentional collaboration for better student outcomes. Elliot shares a transformative example from the University of Rochester, where the Innovation Zone became a...

Sarah Holtan, PhD interviews Liane Crane, owner of The College Dollar, about the realities of college costs and the steps we can take to demystify them. With first-hand experience guiding her own children through college and assisting countless families, Liane's insights shine a light on the often murky world of college finance. Many parents and students face an uphill battle understanding college...

Join Sarah Holtan, PhD, as she sits down with Jackie Slaats, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Career Advancement at Lake Forest College. Jackie’s commitment to career readiness has transformed Lake Forest into a leader in integrating career services into college life. This episode is packed with strategies that can redefine how institutions prepare students for their future careers. La...

Sarah Holtan, PhD explores the hidden impact of course material expenses on student success with Julia Seaman, PhD, Director of Research, Bay View Analytics. Discover startling statistics and explore surprising insights into how these costs shape students’ academic journeys and choices. Course materials often play an invisible yet powerful role in higher education. Dr. Seaman’s research shows that...

**Note** This episode was recorded in December 2024 and was based on a preliminary report that has since been updated. The more recent findings from the National Student Clearinghouse show that undergraduate enrollment is actually up by 4.5%, not the 3% as stated in the episode. The majority of the take-aways and the broader conversation still applies.  Join Sarah Holtan as she sits down with...

If you think managing a university's finances is complex, imagine simplifying it with the expertise of a data scientist who can turn numbers into actionable insights. Join Sarah Holtan, PhD as she hosts Matt Hendricks, PhD, founder of Perspective Data Science, to discuss financial transparency in higher education. In this episode, Dr. Hendricks shares how his free research tool can transform raw f...

Sarah Holtan, PhD chats with Josiah Castro, Deputy Athletics Director for East Texas A&M, about the cutting-edge strategies he's using to boost university revenue through athletics. This conversation is packed with insights on the importance of athletics in enrollment, branding, and community engagement. Josiah shares how athletics act as the "front porch" of the university, offering unique ma...

Sarah Holtan chats with Chellee Siewert, President of Capture Sports and Entertainment, about how athletes can shape their legacy through their brands. This episode tackles the evolving landscape of personal branding, showing athletes how to use their influence for social good and prepare for life beyond sports. Chellee underscores the importance of athletes giving back through charitable initiati...

Sarah Holtan, PhD welcomes back Gill Hunter, PhD, Presidential Fellow for Experience and Engagement at Eastern Kentucky University, to explore the essential strategies for making colleges feel like a second home to students. Gill shares insights and actionable approaches that are reshaping student retention and engagement. Imagine your daughter is hesitant about college after a rough high school e...

Sarah Holtan engages Tim Sullivan, Business Leader and Dean of the Sullivan School of Business and Technology at Carroll University, in a discussion about the potential of business strategies in revitalizing struggling universities. With a background spanning academia and executive roles, Tim brings a rare perspective that challenges the traditional educational frameworks hampering rapid change. T...

Ever feel like you’re swimming against the tide of conventional career advice? If so, this episode is tailored for you. Many people still underestimate how rewarding and viable careers in the trades can be, even though they often lead to high salaries and job security without the burden of student debt. Join Sarah Holtan as she sits down with Jessie Cannizzaro, master plumber and president of Mile...

Sarah Holtan chats with Dr. Joe Salustio, VP of Industry Engagement and Co-founder and Host of the EdUp Experience Podcast, about the transformative role technology plays in higher education and the crucial steps institutions must take to stay competitive. Imagine operating your entire college on outdated software while your competitors soar ahead with cutting-edge solutions. Joe breaks down why m...

Sarah Holtan, PhD explores the complexities of college leadership with Brian Rosenberg, PhD, Visiting Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education, focusing on the pressures modern college presidents face. They discuss the need for transparent, honest, and authentic communication, especially in times of social media outrage. Brian discusses the value of a clear mission and student-centric...

Sarah Holtan, PhD and Ricardo Azziz, the Director at the Center for Higher Education Mergers & Acquisitions and Principal at the SPH Consulting Group, explore the strategic significance of early action and planning in addressing challenges in higher education, with a particular focus on the complexities of college mergers. They discuss important aspects, including the financial and cultural co...

Today, we're joined by a powerhouse in the world of business and academia, Jen Dirks, the CEO and president of Tempo Milwaukee, who brings over two decades of experience in strategic planning and business operations. In this episode, we dive deep into the crucial issues surrounding higher education, particularly the representation of women in leadership roles and the systemic changes needed to pro...

Sarah Holtan, PhD, hosts Jim Burkee, PhD, in a conversation about overcoming unique challenges in international student recruitment and the expansive growth in enrollment at Avila University. They discuss the necessity of flexible infrastructure to support a diverse student body and share personal anecdotes from their experiences abroad. Episode Highlights: 00:15 - Dr. Burkee recalls the pungent a...

Sarah talks with Dr. Angela Walmsley, PhD, renowned education consultant and president of Interactive College Prep. They delve into the art of making informed decisions in the college search process. Dr. Walmsley brings clarity to the nuances of modern college admissions and shares expert strategies for students and their families. Dr. Walmsley's also shares her thoughts about the evolving landsca...

Join your host, Sarah Holtan, PhD, as she engages with Sean Jones, an influential figure in the AI academic sphere. They delve into how AI technologies like ChatGPT are redefining the academic landscape, the imperative challenges they pose, and how institutions can adapt to embrace AI while ensuring academic integrity and addressing bias. Episode Highlights: 10:45 - When we talk about using AI in...

Join Sarah Holtan, PhD, as she sits down with Melik Peter Khoury, DBA, President of Unity Environmental University to navigate the dynamic landscape of contemporary higher education in an era that demands educational innovation. Learn how Unity's revolutionary strategies have shattered the conventional and elevated the institution to new heights of enrollment and fiscal prosperity. President Khour...

Sarah Holtan, PhD, engages with strategic planning maestro Nicki Nabasny, EdD to unravel the complexities of creating impactful strategies within higher education institutions. Gear up for a deep-dive into the art of stakeholder mapping and the pivotal role of leadership sponsorship in ensuring a successful strategic transformation. Nicki, with years of expertise in guiding colleges through strate...

Sarah Holtan, PhD talks to Sarah Lukas, Ed. D., who brings her flair for innovation to the table, discussing the crucial role of empathy and adaptability in higher education leadership. Dive into a candid conversation on how institutions can thrive amidst change and why the fear of the new should be left behind. Sarah, who is the Director of Academic Operations at NLU Florida, imparts her wisdom o...

In this episode, Sarah Holtan, PhD, the President and Founder of High-level Leadership, LLC, delves deeply into how to protect the product of higher education. She argues that professional development funds for faculty and staff are essential to the quality of education. Discover how investing in people can save you money long term, reducing turnover and increasing productivity. Sarah also discuss...

Let's dive into an enlightening discussion with Sarah Holtan, PhD and Kate Colbert, the author of "Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education", on the evolving landscape of higher education in this episode. Uncover the advantages of online learning, reasons behind resistance to change, and the significance of transparency within academic institutions. We discuss student retention...