Ep. 159: Uncertainty, Disruption And Campus Mental Health The Key With Inside Higher Ed podcast

30:10

This series of Voices of Student Success focuses on adult learners in higher education, the various challenges they face and successful support mechanisms to aid their retention and completion. An estimated one in five college students has dependents, and research shows that parenting students are more likely to experience basic needs insecurity in their pursuit of a degree. A 2024 survey by Trellis Strategies found that 6 percent of student parents self-identified as unhoused and 17 percent indicated some level of housing insecurity since they started college, or during the 12 months leading up to the survey. A recent brief from New America and Princeton Eviction Lab tied the threat of eviction to negative student outcomes; student parents who face eviction are 23 percent less likely to complete a bachelor’s degree compared to their housing secure peers, and more likely to have lower quality of life, including higher mortality rates and lower earnings years later. In the most recent episode of Voices of Student Success, Edward Conroy, senior policy manager at New America, and Nick Graetz, assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, discuss their research and how universities can better support parenting students experiencing housing insecurity. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader, this episode is sponsored by KI . Read a transcript of the podcast here.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 165: The Tricky Timeline of the Big Beautiful Bill, a Mark on UVA, Record FAFSA Figures 44:49

10 days ago44:49

44:49

The second Trump administration will mark its six-month birthday on Sunday July 20, so in this episode of The Key, we’re checking in on the federal policy beat. IHE news editor Katherine Knott joins editor in chief Sara Custer to discuss the big changes in store for the sector now that congress has passed the Big Beautiful Bill and when the new policies will start to take effect–a potentially difficult task with the paltry staff left at the education department. They also check in on Trump’s dealings with Harvard, Penn and Columbia, run through the Department of Justice’s intervention at the University of Virginia, and look at what the next six months will hold. Teaser: it could be another reconciliation bill. Become an Insider to receive federal policy updates in IHE's After the First 100 Days newsletter. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 164: Voices of Student Success: Easing the Transition for Adult Learners 23:06

17 days ago23:06

23:06

This series of Voices of Student Success focuses on adult learners in higher education, the various challenges they face and successful support mechanisms to aid their retention and completion. Research shows that adults often enter college with a goal in mind, such as a career pivot, further education in their current industry or completion of a degree they previously started,. But returning to the classroom can be challenging, particularly for first-generation students or those who haven’t been in school for a while. In 2024, Wichita State University launched a college bridge program , the Adult Learner Community and Connections Program, to ease the transition for adult and online learners. The program, part of the university’s “Shocker Pre-Season” series, offers them eight modules of self-paced, online content designed to assist them in their first term at the university. In the most recent episode of Voices of Student Success, Brett Bruner, assistant vice president for student success and persistence at Wichita State, discusses adult learner pedagogy and the lessons learned in the program’s first year. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader, this episode is sponsored by KI . Read a transcript of the podcast here .…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 163: Campus Culture Eats Innovation Strategy for Breakfast 37:28

24 days ago37:28

37:28

“Innovation” is one of those buzzwords that means everything and nothing. “Culture” is even harder to pin down. But in this episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed ’s news and analysis podcast, senior editor for special content Colleen Flaherty speaks with two people working hard to foster both on their campuses. In a panel discussion at the recent Digital Universities US event in Salt Lake City, Colleen spoke with Maricel Lawrence the innovation catalyst at Purdue Global and Kevin Yee special assistant to the provost for AI and director of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Central Florida about how bottom up leadership, empowering people to try new things and universal design thinking are helping to create a culture where innovation thrives.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 162: Voices of Student Success: Recognizing and Encouraging Military-Affiliated Students 25:43

4 weeks ago25:43

25:43

This series of Voices of Student Success focuses on adult learners in higher education, the various challenges they face and successful support mechanisms to aid their retention and completion. Over 820,000 undergraduates are connected to the U.S. military, including those who are actively serving or enlisted in the National Guard, former service members and spouses or dependents of military servicemembers. The University of Texas at San Antonio, located in Military City USA , serves over 5,000 military-affiliated students , including veterans, service members and their families, in a region that has the largest concentration of military bases in the country. In this episode, Michael Logan, UTSA’s senior director for veteran and military affairs and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, discusses how his institution supports military-affiliated students through their transition into higher ed and the role of community in student veteran retention. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader, this episode is sponsored by Grammarly . Read a transcript of the podcast here.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 161: Higher Ed’s Struggling Workforce 40:05

6 weeks ago40:05

40:05

Throughout the first half of the year several colleges have announced hiring freezes and budget cuts in response to the Trump administration’s slashing of federal researching funding and general financial instability across the sector. And these cuts come after years of stagnating pay for faculty and staff. A recent CUPA HR analysis of salary data shows that across higher ed, employees are still being paid less in inflation-adjusted dollars than were before the pandemic. To help us understand what this environment means for the future of the higher ed workforce, Sara Custer, Inside Higher Ed's editor in chief, recently spoke with Kevin McClure professor of higher education and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He says there’s no doubt the workforce is struggling and hasn’t totally recovered from the great resignation spurred on by Covid. McClure is also seeing what he calls “ripple effects” on working conditions. Can colleges hire students for summer jobs? Can faculty travel to conferences? Are there enough people on staff for colleges to keep doing what they’re doing? And one big question – will the sector be able to attract the next generation of faculty and staff? McClure also talks about shared governance as a practice that people need to be trained to participate in and how one solution to some of the current workforce struggles could be right under our noses. Find out more about Kevin and his work here. Thanks to Grammarly for sponsoring this episode.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 160: Voices of Student Success: Tackling Climate Change in the Classroom 25:02

6 weeks ago25:02

25:02

This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. As climate disasters become more frequent and severe, more institutions are investing in programs to address environmental changes and prepare students to engage in green careers. Clark University plans to launch its school of Climate, Environment and Society this fall, institutionalizing the university’s commitment to climate action and investing in interdisciplinary learning for students interested in the work of sustainability. Lou Leonard, the inaugural dean of the school of climate, environment and society, discusses the need for the school and how climate education can tackle climate anxiety in young people. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly . Read a transcript of the podcast here.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 159: Uncertainty, Disruption and Campus Mental Health 50:23

7 weeks ago50:23

50:23

Anxiety and depression are on the rise among college students driven, in part, by pressures to balance academics with personal, economic and family responsibilities. In this episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed ’s news and analysis podcast, two mental health leaders talk about how the current political climate and economic uncertainty are exacerbating the existing mental health challenges on campuses. Tara Harper, assistant vice president for student wellbeing and clinical operations at Lincoln University and Seli Fakorzi, director of mental health operations at TimelyCare, join IHE’s editor in chief Sara Custer to discuss what colleges are doing to address rising symptoms of anxiety and depression among students and how they’re keeping everyone safe and healthy during a time of great upheaval. Thank you to Timely Care for sponsoring this episode.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 158: Voices of Student Success: Teaching Practical Life Skills 17:12

9 weeks ago17:12

17:12

This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. A workshop series at George Mason University in Virginia helps build students’ practical knowledge and well-being by giving them life advice and skills, such as how to change a tire. The program was created by Ethan Carter, associate director of programs, well-being and assessment, and supported by graduate student assistant Dianna Phillips, who talk about the logistics of delivering the workshops and how they support student success. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. Read a transcript of the podcast here.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 157: Is the Alliance Between the Federal Government and Higher Ed Forever Broken? 56:42

9 weeks ago56:42

56:42

Since the beginning of the second Trump administration, the American Council on Education has been early out of the gate in responding to the federal government’s onslaught of funding freezes, executive orders and threats to institutions. In February, ACE along with the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and other institutions sued the government over its decision to cap indirect costs at 15 percent for National Institutes of Health grant recipients, which resulted in a permanent nationwide injunction on the plans in April. Ted Mitchell, president of ACE, joins Sara Custer, editor in chief at Inside Higher Ed , to discuss the nature of the federal government’s attacks on higher education and what responsibility the sector has in the public losing trust in our institutions. They talk about how the sector is responding to the situation, including the many open-form letters, and as the former under secretary for the Department of Education in the second Obama administration, Ted shares why he thinks higher ed knows how to play the game of politics and which policy issues he thinks can get bipartisan support—as long as there is a receptive partner on the other side of the table.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 156: Voices of Student Success: Learning to Talk With Strangers 21:40

11 weeks ago21:40

21:40

This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. Encouraging students to engage with people who they disagree with can be a challenge for many in higher education. A class at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies put students on a train to crisscross the nation, encouraging them to speak across differences and engage in unfamiliar places and spaces. Sarah Federman, associate professor of conflict resolution, spoke about her class and the trip, as well as some of the lessons she learned about engaging students in constructive dialogue. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. Read a transcript of the podcast here.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 155: What's Going on With College Athletics (and Why You Should Care) 42:34

11 weeks ago42:34

42:34

Whether you’re a die-hard fan, sports curios or someone who sees college athletics as a very expensive distraction, you should know about the fundamental changes to NCAA policies because they will have profound impacts on institutions, students and even the future of U.S. Olympic teams. To help us make sense of the latest developments including name, image and likeness earnings, the transfer portal and the $2.8 billion anti-trust House settlement, Inside Higher Ed’s editor in chief Sara Custer speaks to Karen Weaver, an adjunct assistant professor in the graduate school of education at the University of Pennsylvania where she teaches higher education leaders about the role that college athletics will play as it evolves into a very different governance and financial model. She’s also a former athletic director and coach of 30 years. This episode is sponsored by the Strada Education Foundation…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 154: How Trump’s First 100 Days Changed Higher Ed 46:24

12 weeks ago46:24

46:24

Inside Higher Ed ’s editor in chief, Sara Custer, speaks with IHE’s news editor Katherine Knott and reporters Liam Knox and Johanna Alonso about the executive orders, funding cuts and visa revocations of the last three months that have sent shockwaves through the higher education sector. Read more of Inside Higher Ed's coverage of Trump's first 100 days. This episode is sponsored by Strada Education Foundation.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 153: Voices of Student Success: Graduates Face a Challenging Job Market 24:29

12 weeks ago24:29

24:29

This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. The latest episode, featuring Handshake’s chief educational officer Christine Cruzvergara, discusses the current job market, graduating seniors’ perceptions of launching their careers and the role higher education can play in supporting students. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. Read a transcript of the podcast here.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 152: Higher Ed Now and What's Next 59:55

13 weeks ago59:55

59:55

In this episode of The Key, we turn the tables on host Sara Custer, editor in chief at Inside Higher Ed as she joins David Hummels, professor of economics and dean emeritus at Purdue University, and Jay Akridge, trustee chair in teaching and learning excellence, professor of agricultural economics and former provost at Purdue, in conversation with host Colleen Flaherty, senior editor, special content at Inside Higher Ed. They discuss the findings from the Inside Higher Ed /Hanover Research 2025 Survey of College and University Presidents which show that two in three presidents doubt the value of tenure, half think that higher ed has a real affordability problem and a mere 3 percent say that higher ed has been highly effective at responding to the growing education divide in the electorate. Hummels and Akridge are also co-authors of a Stubstack newsletter called Finding Equilibrium , which seeks to provide data-driven, research-informed takes on where higher education is and where it’s going. They’ve done recent deep dives into tenure, the college value debate and more. The conversation doesn’t suggest that there’s any silver lining to what’s happening to higher education at the moment. But it does highlight opportunities for action, including local engagement, pricing transparency, career readiness and targeted sharing of the tangible benefits of higher education to counteract declining public confidence. This episode is sponsored by Strada Education Foundation.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 151: Voices of Student Success: Navigating Students’ Digital Addictions 24:13

15 weeks ago24:13

24:13

This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. The latest episode addresses how digitalization has made it easier for young people to engage in unhealthy habits, including substance abuse, pathological gambling or social media addiction, compared to past generations. Amaura Kemmerer, director of clinical affairs for Uwill, discusses the role of preventive health measures and how existing research can provide a roadmap for addressing new challenges. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. Read a transcript of the podcast here .…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 150: Can civil engagement work be measured? 31:49

15 weeks ago31:49

31:49

Many college leaders turned to civil discourse and dialogue programs in response to students protests that roiled campuses after the start of the Israel Hamas war. It’s work that they have been doing for decades, but a big question around these programs is: how do we know they’re working? That question led to Raj Vinnakota, president of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, an 80-year old non-profit that works with leaders in higher education, business and philanthropy to equip young people with the skills they need to be engaged citizens. In 2023, the institute launched its College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative and its membership has grown to over 120 leaders from 2 and 4-year institutions in 35 states. Part of its mission is to develop ways to assess and measure the level of civil discourse and critical thinking on campuses. In this interview, Raj talks with Sara Custer, editor in chief at Inside Higher Ed, about the grassroots beginnings of the program and how creating language around the concepts of free speech and open inquiry is important for engaging with stakeholders on both sides of the political divide. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 149: Voices of Student Success: Helping Gen Z Navigate Future Careers 43:21

17 weeks ago43:21

43:21

This season of Voices of Student Success, “Preparing Gen Z for Unknown Futures,” addresses challenges in readying young people for the next chapter of their lives in the face of large-scale global changes. This episode focuses on the world of work and how experiential learning can provide students with a glimpse into professional careers and what they don’t know about work. Jane Swift , president of Education at Work, describes how private partners can help higher education meet workforce needs through intentional internship experiences. Later, Jocelyn Frelier , associate director of the Brown in Washington program , discusses how the program uses internship experiences in Washington, D.C. to connect curricular and co-curricular learning. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. Read a transcript of the podcast here.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 148: Cuts to the Education Department, an Ultimatum for Columbia and ICE Arrests 49:34

17 weeks ago49:34

49:34

We’ve turned the page on the third month of the Trump administration and the White House has shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to actions that have direct impacts on higher education in this country. Linda McMahon was confirmed as education secretary and has made quick work of shrinking the size and influence of her department. At the same time the agency opened investigations into reports of antisemitism on dozens of college campuses and has threatened to withhold $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University unless it agrees to demands from the government. Also this month, president Trump signed the long-awaited executive order to dismantle the department of education and international students and scholars are on edge after a series of arrests and deportations. In this episode of The Key, Sara Custer, Inside Higher Ed 's editor in chief, check in on the latest developments in Washington with federal policy reporter Jessica Blake and news editor Katherine Knott.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 147: Voices of Student Success: Connecting Academics and Support Resources for Success 24:33

19 weeks ago24:33

24:33

There are a few elements of the student lifecycle in higher education that are unavoidable, one being general education courses. While a majority of college students are unaware of support resources or unlikely to engage with all of them , each student must fulfill common core curriculum. For over a decade, the University of Louisville has offered an Oral Communication Success Guide for students in the public speaking general education course. Now a digital resource embedded in learning software, the guide helps connect students’ learning to institutional services and supports. In this episode of Voices of Student Success, oral communications faculty member Elyssa Smith and Katherine Taylor, director of the oral communication basic course, outline the process of digitalizing the guide, the benefits for student access and how it breaks down barriers across the institution. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. This episode is sponsored by KI . Read a transcript of the podcast here. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 146: Trust and the College Presidency 40:02

19 weeks ago40:02

40:02

People across higher education are calling on college presidents to speak out against the onslaught of threats and funding caught imposed by the Trump administration. But that is just one kind of leadership. Jorge Burmicky, assistant professor in education leadership and policy studies in the school of education at Howard University, joins Sara Custer, editor in chief at Inside Higher Ed, for this episode of The Key. Burmicky's research focuses on the core competencies for the modern presidency and at the very top is trust building. He stresses that the list is ever changing and discusses what competencies would best serve presidents now at such a pivotal moment for higher education. Read more about Burmicky's work: "The 7 Competencies Presidents Need"…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 145: Voices of Student Success: Putting Mental Health Counselors Where Students Are 39:53

21 weeks ago39:53

39:53

Mental health is one of the greatest threats to student persistence and retention in higher education, but providing large-scale preventative and responsive mental health care is a looming challenge for colleges and universities. In addition to having sufficient clinicians and trained professionals to support students in need, finding ways to deliver wellness support to students before they’re in crisis is critical. One strategy is embedding mental health counselors into student spaces or academic departments. By integrating services into a physical location, such as a student center, clinicians can connect with students in informal and intentional ways, gaining their trust and supporting specific pockets of the campus community. In this episode of Voices of Student Success, Estevan Garcia, chief wellness officer at Dartmouth College, talks about the root of the youth mental health crisis and some of Dartmouth’s embedded services for student athletes. Later, hear from Casey Fox, associate director of integrated services from the University of South Carolina, who leads the university’s integrated mental health program, about the benefits of these services for students and community members. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. This episode is sponsored by KI . Read a transcript of the podcast here. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 144: The Policies, People and Surprises of Trump's First 30 Days 37:28

21 weeks ago37:28

37:28

In this episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed’s news and analysis podcast, editor in chief Sara Custer speaks with IHE’s news editor Katherine Knott about the policies, people and surprises from the first 30 days of the second Trump administration. They discuss the executive orders and actions that could have the most impact on higher ed and what pushback they’ve seen from the sector, as well as the people who Trump has tapped to lead the department. Katherine shares what has surprised her the most in the last month and what she and the IHE reporters will be watching in the next 30 days. Stay on top of the key developments in federal policy and funding by subscribing to The First 100 Days, IHE’s pop-up newsletter explaining the week’s news out of Washington. Learn more .…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 143: Voices of Student Success: A Day Without Classes, Packed with Career 24:53

23 weeks ago24:53

24:53

Having successful career outcomes is important for colleges and also for students, but getting students to engage in career services can feel like an uphill battle. Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania leaders decided to bring careers to students with an event called LVC Success Expo . During this day, LVC cancels classes so students can engage in an all-day career fair or meet with academic support staff to ensure their success in and after college. In this episode of Voices of Student Success, Tomomi “T” Horning, vice president of college partnerships and strategic initiatives, and Jasmine Bucher, senior director of the Breen Center for Career and Professional Development , discuss the event, campus partnerships and how it contributes to a larger institutional mission. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. Read a transcript of the podcast here. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 142: An L.A. Community College Begins to Heal 26:37

23 weeks ago26:37

26:37

At the beginning of February, the deadly L.A. wildfires were fully contained after burning for nearly a month. A few weeks ago we spoke with colleges in the city whose communities were upturned by the fires. Hundreds of students and staff had lost their homes and thousands more were displaced from evacuation zones. Now that the embers have died out, we wanted to check back in with one college to see how it is managing to rebuild. In this episode of The Key we speak with Ryan Cornner president of Glendale Community College which serves 24,000 students on a campus about five miles from where the Eaton wildfire burned. Dozens of GCC students and employees lost their homes and many more were displaced for more than a week. The college has expanded its efforts to provide access to basic needs for its students and has recognized that its part-time adjunct faculty need the most support. Hosted by Sara Custer, editor in chief of Inside Higher Ed…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 141: Voices of Student Success: Expanding Access to Study Abroad 24:14

25 weeks ago24:14

24:14

Study abroad is tied to personal and professional growth for college students, but crossing the border can be an enormous hurdle for some learners or feel unattainable. A new initiative at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania seeks to empower and support first-generation and low-income students who are interested in experiential learning and study away through workshops, financial aid and mentorship. In this episode of Voices of Student Success, Chris Brown, Bucknell’s Andrew Hartman ‘71 & Joseph Fama ‘71 executive director of the Center for Access & Success, talks about the center and how it reduces barriers to student participation in high-impact activities. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. Read a transcript of the podcast here . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 140: What IHE's newsroom will be tracking in the first days of the new Trump administration 23:24

27 weeks ago23:24

23:24

In the run up to the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, Inside Higher Ed ’s editor-in-chief Sara Custer and news editor Katherine Knott discuss what we know and what we don’t know about president-elect Trump’s policy agenda and how it could affect universities and colleges. Katherine and Sara discuss what sources are telling IHE reporters about incoming education secretary Linda McMahon and who the key players in the Republican-led Senate and House are. It's anyone's guess what the administration's policy priorities will be, but Katherine shares what she and Inside Higher Ed journalists will be looking for to get a sense of which way the wind might be blowing for higher ed on Capital Hill. Hosted by Sara Custer, editor-in-chief of Inside Higher Ed . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 139: Enrollment Management's AI Future 55:59

31 weeks ago55:59

55:59

Highly customized admissions information and processes. Credit transfer evaluations that take minutes, not days or weeks. Precision tuition discounting estimates. Student success interventions informed by data gathered about students before they ever even applied to their institution. These are some of the ways that artificial intelligence is or may soon be improving the enrollment management experience for students, teams and institutions. That’s according to our recent panel discussion with experts Joseph Paris, dean of graduate and professional studies at Delaware Valley University, Naronda C. Wright, president of NAGAP at The Association for Graduate Enrollment Management and associate dean of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies at Georgia Southern University, and Claire Brady, president of Glass Half Full Consulting. The discussion, featured on this episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed 's news and analysis podcast, also draws on insights from “Beyond the Hype: Understanding and Unlocking AI’s Potential in Enrollment Management,” a recent special report Inside Higher Ed published on the following: How admissions and enrollment management teams are already deploying AI to assist their work The potential near- and longer-term future of AI in enrollment management Best and emerging practices for building data readiness and AI literacy among admissions and enrollment management personnel Download that report, written for Inside Higher Ed by journalist Ben Upton, here. Hosted by Colleen Flaherty, senior editor of special content at Inside Higher Ed . This episode is sponsored by Liaison.…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 138: Doug Lederman Says Farewell to Inside Higher Ed 54:10

31 weeks ago54:10

54:10

In his final days in the newsroom, editor and co-founder of Inside Higher Ed and host of The Key, Doug Lederman, sits down with editor-in-chief Sara Custer to discuss his nearly 40-year career in higher education and what he plans to do next. Doug talks about his work as a journalist over four decades, including leading Inside Higher Ed for the past 20 years. Doug shares what kept him up at night when he and Scott Jaschik started a new, independent media company in 2003 and the big breaks along the way that helped establish Inside Higher Ed as a trusted source of news for universities and colleges across the country. Doug and Sara discuss the future of IHE and how its role to both explain higher education to readers and hold it to account is more critical now than it has ever been. "I don’t think us journalists would be writing about higher education if we didn’t think it was important,” he says. Hosted by Sara Custer, editor in chief of Inside Higher Ed . This episode is sponsored by the Gates Foundation. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 137: How to Lead With Purpose in Higher Ed 38:30

32 weeks ago38:30

38:30

College presidents don’t work in a bubble and there are a multitude of competing priorities jostling for their time and attention on a daily basis. It can be an overwhelming job, but having a guiding purpose behind every decision a president makes, the teams they form and the long-term strategies they develop can help keep leaders on the right track. How do they know which areas deserve their attention and which should be delegated to talented team members? How do they know they are making the right decisions and doing good by their institution? When should they take risks? In this episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed ’s news and analysis podcast, Donde Plowman, the chancellor at UT Knoxville, Harry Williams the former president of Delaware State University and the current president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall Foundation, and Jonathan Koppell, president of Montclair State University tell an audience at the Student Success US event how they keep their purpose front of mind as they lead their institutions. They share their experiences of making tough decisions, championing student success to stakeholders, lobbying for greater funding from legislators and striking out on paths unknown with new partners. Hosted by Sara Custer, editor in chief of Inside Higher Ed . This episode is sponsored by the Gates Foundation. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 136: Voices of Student Success: GenAI in Teaching and Learning 31:07

33 weeks ago31:07

31:07

Over the past two years, generative AI has blazed its way on to college campuses, first in the students’ hands and increasingly in the hands of administrators and instructors to improve campus operations and enrollment management, as well as teaching and learning. One of the greatest challenges of using generative AI in teaching is providing students with skills without interrupting the process of learning or introducing errors or misinformation. The University of Texas at Austin is in the initial stages of launching a custom GPT model, UT Sage, which serves as a tutor of sorts for students who need help related to a specific course. In this episode of Voices of Student Success, Julie Schell, assistant vice provost of academic technology at UT Austin, shares the inspiration behind the tool, her work with AI in the classroom and teaching the ethics of AI use. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. This episode is sponsored by KI . Read a transcript of the podcast here. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 135: Reasons to Be Optimistic About Student Success Efforts 46:12

33 weeks ago46:12

46:12

A recent IHE survey of university and college student success administrators found that they are confident in the quality of education their institution provides and say their college is effective in making student success an institutional priority. There are, however, still many areas where administrators say their institution can improve, with greater effort among faculty being the most common desired action. This episode of The Key explores the results of our survey and how they compare with what students have told us in other polls. We’ll also hear a case study on how a teaching and learning center is encouraging faculty to be active participants in students’ success. Joining the discussion are Colleen Flaherty, special content editor at Inside Higher Ed, and Trey Conatser, assistant provost for teaching and learning at the University of Kentucky and director of UK’s Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. Both discussions paint an overall optimistic picture of how institutions are working to find innovative ways to support their students to stay in college and graduate. You can read more about our survey findings in our article “ Survey: Student Success Administrators Optimistic” . Hosted by Sara Custer, editor in chief of Inside Higher Ed . This episode is sponsored by the Gates Foundation. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 134: Voices of Student Success: Life Design for Student Success 31:49

35 weeks ago31:49

31:49

A growing number of colleges and universities are integrating life design into the student experience to improve student well-being, academic pursuits and future planning beyond graduation. Life design, which originates from the 2016 book Designing Your Life , uses design thinking principles to help guide individuals as they navigate change and transition, ultimately helping them find meaning and purpose in their lives. In this episode of Voices of Student Success, Adrienne Ausdenmoore, assistant vice president and executive director, Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design at Bowling Green State University , shares how the university is implementing campus-wide changes to integrate life design into the student experience. Later, hear from Stanford University’s James Tarbox, assistant vice provost and executive director of career education, who shares how life design is essential in career services. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. This episode is sponsored by KI . Read a transcript of the podcast here . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 133: Voices of Student Success: The Evolution of the Campus Library 37:43

37 weeks ago37:43

37:43

Many college libraries have undergone transformation in recent years to serve as hubs for student success, offering a central location for students to hang out, work with peers and connect to support resources like tutoring. This reimagination of the library often comes with a physical reconfiguration, relocation of offices and expanded services, all in hopes of supporting access and student success. In this episode of Voices of Student Success, Katie Clark, higher education market manager for KI and a former campus administrator, speaks to the evolution of the campus library and what it means for students and practitioners. Later, hear from Marquette University’s Lemonis Center director Marilyn Jones and vice provost for academic affairs and student success, John Su, to discuss how Marquette remodeled its Memorial Library to better support students. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. This episode is sponsored by KI. Read a transcript of the podcast here .…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 132: Voices of Student Success: Teaching Career Competencies In On-Campus Work 20:30

39 weeks ago20:30

20:30

Internships are a high-impact practice that can provide students with valuable career skills, a professional network and on-the-job experience, but not every student has the opportunity to participate. A recent report found of the 8.2 million students who wanted to intern in 2023, close to half didn’t participate in one. Many of these students are from historically marginalized groups, including first-generation, low-income, community college students and students of color. The University of New Hampshire launched Campus-2-Career in 2022, a campus-wide program that equips students with career competencies through their on-campus work positions. In this episode, Gretchen Heaton, associate vice provost for career and professional success and high impact practices at the University of New Hampshire, discusses how UNH is increasing rich work-based learning opportunities through intentional professional development. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader. This episode is sponsored by KI. Read a transcript of the podcast here. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 131: Bipartisan Alignment Around Workforce Training 33:23

39 weeks ago33:23

33:23

The partisan divide in the U.S. seems unbridgeable at times, and many issues in higher education are deeply dividing politicians. But with the 2024 election just days away, there’s a remarkable amount of alignment around the importance of workforce development and training and how to strengthen it. A new episode of The Key explores explores the relative consensus between the parties and its implications. Joining the discussion are Amanda Winters, program director for postsecondary education at the National Governors Association, and Michelle Van Noy, director of the Education and Employment Research Center at Rutgers University’s School of Management and Labor Relations. They examines how this alignment around workforce training is affecting policy development at the state and federal levels, and how November’s election might change what happens in the next few years, if at all. Hosted by Doug Lederman, editor and co-founder of Inside Higher Ed. This episode is sponsored by The Gates Foundation. Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 130 Bonus Episode: Focus on Caring and Building Strengths Leads Students to Success 22:33

40 weeks ago22:33

22:33

In this episode of The Key, Melissa Ezarik speaks with University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s chancellor, Donde Plowman, and Amber Williams, vice president of student success on their efforts to ensure their teams—and students—are aware of and confident about their strengths as they navigate their work. Williams, who joined the institution in 2020, soon before it fell a bit short on its retention increase goal, has found it helpful to remind colleagues that data is about individuals and showing what can be done to meet their needs. “One of my framings for leadership is that you lead through people, priorities and then projects,” she says. “People is the first thing. If you don’t get the people part right, the rest of it doesn’t work.” On October 28, 29 and 30, student success professionals from across the country will visit UT’s campus to share their challenges and successes in supporting students at their own institution. Learn more about the Student Success US event here, and look out for coverage in Inside Higher Ed. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Editor, Melissa Ezarik. Read a transcript of the podcast here . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 129: Voices of Student Success: A College Bridge Program for Incarcerated Students 24:40

41 weeks ago24:40

24:40

In July 2023, Congress lifted a ban on federal Pell Grant funding for incarcerated individuals in prison education programs, but there still remain barriers to enrollment and success for these learners. The Petey Greene Program (PGP), a non-profit organization that partners with prisons and higher education institutions, launched a College Bridge program in 2020 to increase college-level writing, reading and math skills for incarcerated students. In this episode, PGP’s Chiara Benetollo, executive director of The Puttkammer Center for Educational Justice and Equity, and Katherine Meloney, director of the Villanova Program at SCI Phoenix, discuss the college bridge program and the ways higher ed can support justice and learning for incarcerated individuals. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader . This episode is sponsored by KI. Read a transcript of the podcast here . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 128: Voices of Student Success: Building a Culture of Mentorship 28:31

43 weeks ago28:31

28:31

Prior research shows students who have at least one connection to campus are more likely to persist, retain and complete a college degree, particularly for students from historically marginalized or less privileged backgrounds. However, building high-quality and long-lasting relationships can feel challenging or unattainable for many college students. In this episode, Elon University’s Peter Felten, and Emily Krechel, who serve as members on the Mentoring Initiatives Design Team, discuss the role of relationships in student success and how Elon stakeholders look to create a relationship-rich university community. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader . This episode is sponsored by KI. Read a transcript of the podcast here . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 127:Voices of Student Success: Breaking Down Barriers to Basic Needs Resources 30:34

45 weeks ago30:34

30:34

Rising costs of living and increasing student housing rates have exacerbated college retention efforts as campus leaders look to tackle a rising concern: basic needs insecurity. A lack of essential resources such as food, housing and clothing and general financial strain are two of the top reasons students say they leave college. To address this issue and provide resources to students, the University of Houston opened its Center for Student Advocacy and Community in 2020, which houses some of the university’s essential needs programs. I spoke with the center’s director and assistant director about the relationship between student success and basic needs and how to promote resources across campus. In this episode, host Ashley Mowreader speaks with the University of Houston’s director, Michael Crook, and associate director, Kevin Nguyen, of the Center for Student Advocacy and Community to learn more about how the center operates, the ties between basic needs and student success and some of the center’s future goals. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader . Read a transcript of the podcast here . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 126: Voices of Student Success: The Role of Belonging in Campus Conflict, Protests 26:36

47 weeks ago26:36

26:36

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, colleges and universities have seen heightened tensions on campus as student protesters demand change from their administrators. Anti-war protests on college campuses are not a new phenomenon, with many institutions seeing similar unrest during the 1960s during the Vietnam War. The University of South Carolina was one such institution, which saw a general unrest among its student body amid racial tensions, the anti-war movement and other institutional grievances which came to a head in May 1970. The University of South Carolina took an unconventional approach to mitigate student frustrations, which included implementing a comprehensive University 101 course that infused feelings of belonging among participants. The initiative was largely successful, with the university experiencing no student riots for another 50 years. In this episode, John Gardner, one of the professors who helped create the first-year seminar at USC and founder of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, reflects on the protests of the 70s and shares how campus leaders today can learn from the past. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader . Read a transcript of the podcast here . Follow us on Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 125: Voices of Student Success: Improving campus facilities for student wellness 33:29

49 weeks ago33:29

33:29

With student mental health concerns on the rise, college leaders have turned their attention outward to campus facilities and the role space, light, sound and décor can play in student learning and healthy living. Many college campuses have established wellness rooms, sensory spaces or relaxation zones to promote healthy habits and academic success for learners. The focus on environmental wellness is also an inclusive effort, supporting students who struggle with sensory issues, including those with learning or developmental disabilities, and promotes universal design thinking. In this episode, experts from design firm HKS, Renae Mantooth, research lead in education, and Brad Robichaux, studio practice leader, discuss the science behind environmental wellness and how colleges are adapting to serve their students. Later, hear from Lauren Kehoe, then-accessibility and accommodations librarian at New York University, about how NYU adapted a room in the library to create a safe space for neurodiverse students to study and destress. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader . Read a transcript of the podcast here .…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 124: Voices of Student Success: Improving Upward Transfer Processes 32:44

51 weeks ago32:44

32:44

Community college students make up 40 percent of enrollment in U.S. higher education, and 80 percent of those students want to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree. However, only around 16 percent of those students will be successful in transferring and completing a four-year degree within six years after transferring. Transfer students often lose credits when continuing to their bachelor’s degree, slowing their progress toward graduation and increasing the costs associated with higher education. Transfer advocates recognize the need for state and institutional interventions (both at the two- and four-year level) to improve processes and promote degree attainment. In this episode, researchers from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Aurely Garcia Tulloch and Tatiana Velasco Rodriguez, discuss CCRC’s current projects to improve transfer across the country. Later, hear from Pamela Johnston, dean of career and academic planning at Tallahassee State College, about how the institution has revised its advising process to make registration, transfer planning and working with an adviser more seamless for students. Hosted by Inside Higher Ed Student Success Reporter Ashley Mowreader . Read a transcript of the podcast here .…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 123: Reprise: Generative AI’s Potential Influence on Teaching and Learning 26:03

52 weeks ago26:03

26:03

Discussions about the impact of generative artificial intelligence in teaching and learning are steadily moving beyond questions about whether and how students will cheat. Today’s episode of The Key is drawn from a workshop expertly led by Inside Higher Ed’ s Colleen Flaherty at the Digital Universities U.S. conference at Washington University in St. Louis. The conversation on “Teaching with Generative AI: Benefits and Risks” featured four thoughtful experts on teaching and learning: Asim Ali, executive director of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at Auburn University; Trey Conatser, director of the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching at the University of Kentucky; Emily Thompson, director of online programs at Washington University’s School of Medicine, and Michael Reese, associate dean at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation. You’ll hear precious little discussion about cheating, but a lot of talk about the need for faculty training and support and the importance of bridging potential gaps in access and overcoming bias in the technology, among other things. The Key is hosted by Inside Higher Ed Co-founder and Editor Doug Lederman. This episode is sponsored by Mongoose .…

The Key with Inside Higher Ed

1
Ep. 122: Voices of Student Success: Tech Solutions for Student Mental Health 21:36

1 year ago21:36