Mastering the Next

In this episode of 'Mastering the Next,' we have Dr. Alyssa Orlando, Director of Graduate Admission at Clark University in Massachusetts, discussing the significant impacts of decision-making biases in holistic graduate admissions review processes. Our interview explores how Clark University identifies and mitigates these biases to ensure fairness and equity, and what the future holds for holistic...

Adult learners are increasingly returning to university education, with some estimates suggesting that there are over 3 million undergraduate adult learners in the U.S. Engaging with these working professionals and motivating them to enroll requires innovative strategies and tactics. William Paterson University of New Jersey has developed a unique approach that has already yielded significant succ...

Recruiting graduate students often involves looking within the existing campus community, re-engaging current students, and reaching out to past applicants who may now have a renewed interest in graduate study. In this episode, I'm joined by Richard Graham, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Strategy & Engagement at Thomas Jefferson University, to discuss how to grow graduate student programs...

In this episode, Dr. Jerome Drain, President of the Online College at Houston Community College, shares his innovative approach to online student engagement strategies by leveraging simulation technologies like the Metaverse.. HCC Online offers more than 70 hybrid degree and certificate programs as well as general education, elective, and core courses in more than 80 areas of study.  Dr. Drain dis...

Workforce education has grown in popularity in recent years – initially propelled by the tightening of the job market, and then expanded by the pandemic, the need for companies to upskill, reskill, and incentivize their employees through educational opportunities has only become more urgent.  Guild, a company founded in 2015 that is a leader in this space, builds programs to bridge the gap between...

Today, artificial intelligence is used by university admissions offices in many ways, from evaluating applicants’ transcripts to providing prospective students with information about academic programs. Synthesizing information for enrollment managers makes sense, but what about the human element of admissions?  While enrollment leaders clearly recognize the enormous benefits to leveraging AI, some...

Managing a college’s transition to new, innovative student engagement processes and tools requires careful planning and leadership. Jake Tolman is Owner of Mainform Consulting which assists higher ed organizations with project leadership, governance and change management. He join’s Ray to explain “what’s next” for change management and how your institution can usher in positive change to improve s...

In this episode we are talking about a hot topic: OPMs, or online program management companies, and what they provide to universities. ​​California Lutheran University partnered with an OPM, AllCampus, to launch 12 new online graduate and undergraduate programs, aimed at expanding access to flexible, affordable higher education. This strategic collaboration focuses on enhancing online offerings wi...

In this Bonus announcement, join Mallory, Chief Strategist of Enrollify, as she introduces the newly relaunched  Enrollify.org . This episode highlights the fresh features and content now available on the site, emphasizing Enrollify’s commitment to revolutionizing higher education. Learn about the variety of resources—from podcasts to ourses to webinars—that can help professionals make impactful c...

In this episode, we're diving into the revolutionary world of Minerva Project, a beacon of innovation in graduate education. Minerva Project is an innovative global educational initiative that combines online and experiential learning aimed at providing rigorous university education for the 21st century. Minerva Project is designed to be international in scope, with students from around the world...

In this episode we’re joined by Troy Cogburn, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Manhattanville University in Purchase, New York.  Manhattanville recently transformed from a “college” to a “university” and is laying the groundwork for new pathways to graduate programs for undergraduate students. Manhattanville caters to a broad spectrum of academic and professional interests across mor...

In this episode we explore the profound implications of artificial intelligence on society, with a special focus on the realm of higher education. I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sasha Sidorkin, Chief AI Officer at California State University, Sacramento – he is also the founding Director of the National Institute on AI in Society.  This new Institute at Sacramento State is a clearinghous...

Creating consistent graduate student communications to improve admissions and retention for on and off-campus and online students can be a challenge – particularly with constantly-evolving tools and channels.  Building a successful communications plan takes a lot of “behind-the-scenes” work and an understanding how to harness the power of digital media.  Kittie Pain, Director of Graduate Admission...

This episode explores the evolving landscape of arts education and the impact of artificial intelligence on creative fields in graduate education.  The impact of AI on the arts extends well beyond higher education, and both students and faculty are adjusting to this new paradigm. Ray is joined by Dr. Scott Cline, the Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management & Auxiliary Services at California...

Dr. Jeremiah Nelson has had a notable journey in the realm of academia, transitioning from a leadership role in graduate enrollment management to becoming a full-time faculty member at Catawba College. The transition to a full-time faculty role at Catawba College represented a shift from administrative to academic, allowing Dr. Nelson to engage directly with students in the classroom.  In this epi...

Financial pressure on campuses is reaching new heights, with presidents and provosts pressuring enrollment leaders to grow enrollment and increase tuition revenue.  In this episode I am joined by Dr. Naronda Wright, incoming president of NAGAP,  who shares her perspective on what’s happening in graduate enrollment management relative to sustaining campuses. Dr. Wright is Associate Dean, Graduate S...

Medical schools are making major changes in the way they recruit students, charge tuition, and engage with their current students through technology.  The structure of medical school is also changing, with themes such as earlier clinical experiences, interprofessional education, and an emphasis on case-based learning.  In this episode, NAGAP Board member Tony Perez, Director of Student Recruitment...

For more than 30 years, NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management has been a leader in the professional development and advancement of its members.  As one of the most influential thought leaders in graduate enrollment, admissions, financial aid, NAGAP has developed a track record of excellence and collaboration through education, research, and professional development  In this epi...

In this Special NAGAP Episode, Ray interviews the co-editors of “A Comprehensive Guide to Graduate Enrollment Management, Advancing Research and Practice,” Dr. Joseph Paris and Dr. Stanley Kania.  This new book is written from a professional and academic perspective, and contains actionable insights from thought leaders across graduate enrollment and was published in partnership with NAGAP, the As...

An accomplished university president shares “what’s next” for graduate education at public universities –  Dr. Joseph Bertolino, affectionately known as “President Joe” to his students at Stockton University, previously served as president of Southern Connecticut State University and Lyndon State College.  Dr. Bertolino shares his thoughts on the balance between traditional graduate education and...

In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Jeff Selingo shares “what’s next” for graduate enrollment, student recruitment, and how technology is reshaping the academic landscape.  Jeff discusses insights from his “Future U” podcast on PhD education, talks about the future of grad school-bound students, and provides details about his upcoming (fourth) book on the industry. Guest Name: Jeff...

Welcome to Mastering the Next, a cutting-edge podcast exploring the future of graduate, online, and non-traditional education through the lens of AI and technology. Staying competitive in the world of student recruitment and enrollment means keeping up with the ever-evolving tech trends in higher education. Join Dr. Ray Lutzky as we explore “what’s next” at the dynamic intersection of student recr...