

The EdUp Experience
YOUR Higher Education Podcast
We welcome YOU to America’s leading higher education podcast! Hosted by Dr. Joe Sallustio, whose down-to-Earth approach & industry experience helps to make dry & complicated educational topics more fun & engaging to discuss. Elvin Freytes, Producer, brings YOU the most innovative leaders in higher education to the microphone. The EdUp Experience team brings over 40 years of experience in higher education - YOU will feel refreshed, upskilled, & reskilled after listening to this podcast.
LEARN MORE:
edupexperience.com
We make education YOUR business!
LEARN MORE:
edupexperience.com
We make education YOUR business!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 6, 2025 • 42min
What Every College Leader Can Learn from Rural University Innovation - with Dr. Kelly A. Ryan, President, Eastern Oregon University
It's YOUR time to #EdUpStay ahead of the conversation in higher ed. Get early, ad-free access & exclusive leadership content by supporting Elvin & Joe for only $5.99 a month or $44.99 a year. YOU can also donate or gift a subscription at edupexperience.comIn this episode, President Series #378, (Powered By Ellucian), & brought to YOU by HigherEd PodConYOUR guest is Dr. Kelly A. Ryan, President, Eastern Oregon UniversityYOUR cohost is Charlie Anastasi, VP, Revenue & Academic Partnerships, Rize EducationYOUR host is Dr. Jodi (Ashbrook) Blinco, Vice President for Enrollment Management Consulting, EducationDynamics How is Eastern Oregon University serving its unique rural student population?What strategies are improving student success & retention in a frontier setting?How is the university creating a supportive culture for faculty & staff wellness?What role does online education play in providing equitable access in rural America?How is EOU addressing the rural-urban divide in higher education attainment?Topics include:Balancing online & in-person education for different student demographicsCreating "one-stop shop" support services for first-generation studentsImplementing mental health resources through innovative Canvas programsDeveloping professional development opportunities despite budget constraintsExpanding access through new initiatives like adults in custody education programsListen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!We make education YOUR business!P.S. Support the podcast trusted by higher ed leaders. Get early, ad-free access & exclusive leadership content by supporting Elvin & Joe for only $5.99 a month or $44.99 a year. YOU can also donate or gift a subscription at edupexperience.com

7 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 38min
Why Banning AI in Schools Is Like Banning the Internet in 1995 - with Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Academic Strategy, Instructure
It's YOUR time to #EdUpClick here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, part of our Academic Integrity Series, sponsored by Pangram Labs,YOUR guest is Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Academic Strategy, Instructure YOUR cohost is Bradley Emi , Cofounder & CTO, Pangram LabsYOUR host is Elvin FreytesHow does Ryan define academic integrity in the age of AI & why traditional definitions are fundamentally changing? Why is banning AI tools like looking at the internet as a productivity killer in the 1990s? What can educators learn from Ryan's global travels about different approaches to AI & academic integrity? How are students in developing nations approaching AI differently than those in North America & Europe? Why is Ryan predicting a "wave of AI feral children" crashing onto higher education? Topics include:The shift from effort-based to outcome-based measures of academic integrity Why AI literacy must be part of preparing good members of society The need to redesign assessments that can't be "gamed" by AI How AI can be both the cause of & solution to academic integrity challenges The importance of teaching students the "why" behind assignments to prevent shortcuts Moving from "don't use AI" to "here's how to use AI ethically" Creating collaborative AI policies involving teachers, students & administrators The difference between AI as a cheating tool vs. AI as an assistant for learning Why the focus should be on ensuring learning happens, not blocking technology The critical need for human expertise as the "human in the loop" with AI tools Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp ExperienceWe make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, feel free to support our efforts to keep us going!

Jul 2, 2025 • 26min
Why the Academic Mission is Losing to the Football Machine - with Jay Paterno, Former Coach, Penn State University, & Author of Blitzed
It's YOUR time to #EdUp Click here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, brought to YOU by HigherEd PodConYOUR guest is Jay Paterno, Former Coach, Penn State University, & Author of BlitzedYOUR host is Dr. Laurie Shanderson, Host, EdUp Accreditation Insights How is the new 12-team playoff format affecting student-athletes' academic performance? What mental health challenges are emerging in the NIL & transfer portal era? How are gambling & social media creating new pressures for college athletes? Topics include:Balancing athletic demands with academic priorities in extended playoff seasons Navigating the professionalization of student-athletes through NIL & revenue sharing Examining coaching stability & recruitment challenges in the expanded playoff format Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!We make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, feel free to support our efforts to keep us going!

10 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 33min
How AI-Powered Feedback is Doubling Student Completion Rates - with Gavin Cooney, CEO & Founder, Learnosity
Gavin Cooney, CEO and Founder of Learnosity, is revolutionizing educational technology with innovative tools. He discusses how AI is enhancing assessment creation and feedback, leading to doubled completion rates in GED programs. Gavin explains the unique 'building block' approach of Learnosity, ensuring accessibility for diverse learning needs. He emphasizes the role of AI in reducing faculty workload while improving student engagement, advocating for educational leaders to embrace these technological shifts for future success.

Jun 29, 2025 • 49min
Why Bemidji State's President Believes 'Our Why is Tied to Our Who' in Higher Education - with Dr. John L. Hoffman, President, Bemidji State University
It's YOUR time to #EdUpClick here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, President Series #377, (Powered By Ellucian), & brought to YOU by HigherEd PodConYOUR guest is Dr. John L. Hoffman, President, Bemidji State UniversityYOUR host is Dr. Joe SallustioHow did Bemidji State navigate significant budget challenges? What makes the university's student population uniquely diverse? How are Native American students being served in North Central Minnesota? What strategies are improving retention & course completion rates? How is fundraising success tied to student success initiatives?Topics include:Leading a financial turnaround to achieve a balanced budget Serving 71% of students who bring in transfer credits Creating new enrollment pathways for adult learners Increasing retention rates by 6% over five years Growing fundraising totals beyond the previous six years combined Implementing multimodal education to meet diverse student needs Supporting faculty-initiated student success programs Addressing workforce needs in Northern Minnesota For #EdUp Supporters only via the extended conversation:Finding meaning amid difficult leadership decisions Building a diverse, young & talented leadership team Balancing student-centered focus during workforce reductions Navigating the challenges of being a "student affairs president" Creating team culture in traditionally siloed environments Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!We make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, feel free to support our efforts to keep us going!

Jun 26, 2025 • 42min
What Happens When You Make Academic Integrity Someone's Full-Time Job - Dr. Greer Murphy, Dir., Academic Integrity Office, UC Santa Cruz, & VP for Strategy, International Center for Academic Integrity
It's YOUR time to #EdUpClick here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, part of our Academic Integrity Series, sponsored by Pangram Labs,YOUR guest is Dr. Greer Murphy, Director, Academic Integrity Office, UC Santa Cruz, & Vice President for Strategy at the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI)YOUR cohost is Bradley Emi , Cofounder & CTO, Pangram LabsYOUR host is Elvin FreytesHow does Dr. Murphy define academic integrity as "practice" & why does transparency & trust matter most?What surprised her most during her first year building a centralized Academic Integrity Office at UC Santa Cruz?Why does academic integrity bring out such strong emotions & how does it connect to identity & belonging?What did their study of 100 US academic integrity policies reveal about support & accessibility?How can institutions create vulnerability-safe spaces for students & faculty to ask integrity questions?Topics include:Academic integrity as transparent practice & truthful reflection of abilities, not perfectionThe challenge of centralizing integrity work across 10 undergraduate colleges at a major public universityHow students & faculty experience integrity concerns as identity-threatening & face-threateningThe paradox of open-access institutions having more legalistic, harder-to-understand policiesBuilding community & solidarity rather than falling into silos of faculty vs. students vs. administratorsListen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp ExperienceWe make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, feel free to support our efforts to keep us going!

Jun 25, 2025 • 51min
Why Education—Not Just Degrees—Should Be Higher Ed's North Star - with Dr. Donna Hodge, President, Fitchburg State University
It's YOUR time to #EdUpClick here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, President Series #375, (Powered By Ellucian ), & brought to YOU by HigherEd PodConYOUR guest is Dr. Donna Hodge, President, Fitchburg State UniversityYOUR host is Dr. Joe SallustioHow is Fitchburg State University serving its regional mission in a crowded higher ed marketplace? What unique programs are distinguishing Fitchburg State from other institutions? How has the definition of "traditional" & "non-traditional" students blurred in today's educational landscape? Why is focusing on education rather than just degrees critical for institutional success? How can higher ed institutions design for the future instead of managing decline? Topics include:Celebrating 130 years while reimagining programs like engineering tech & game design Creating innovative collaborative programs in creative arts therapies Leveraging agility as a state public institution to respond to opportunities Embracing the modern learner's expectations for both digital & human connections Supporting first-generation & minoritized student populations in North Central Massachusetts Addressing food & housing insecurity while delivering quality education Eliminating barriers to enrollment & educational access For #EdUp subscribers only via the extended conversation:Navigating the experience of being the first female president in 130 years Building a "coalition of the willing" leadership approach Challenging socially constructed expectations in higher education Shifting focus from degree completion to educational experience Rethinking the credit hour & degree structure for the future of higher ed Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience !We make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, feel free to support our efforts to keep us going!

Jun 25, 2025 • 48min
Will Global Classrooms Become the New Normal? - with Malcolm Youngren, President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific College of Health and Science
It's YOUR time to #EdUp Click here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, President Series #376, (Powered By Ellucian), & brought to YOU by HigherEd PodConYOUR guest is Malcolm Youngren, President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific College of Health and ScienceYOUR cohost is Kevin Harrington, Co-Founder & CEO, Rize EducationYOUR host is Elvin Freytes How did a former kindergarten teacher become president of a health sciences college? What challenges did higher education face during the COVID-19 pivot? How is Chinese medicine intersecting with Western healthcare systems? What strategies can address the nursing shortage in America? How will AI transform education while preserving human skills? Topics include:Leading the largest college of Chinese medicine in the United States Creating global education experiences through online learning Balancing technology & traditional healing practices Addressing the nursing shortage through academic preparation Reducing higher education costs through innovative staffing models Focusing on mission-aligned program development Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience !We make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, feel free to support our efforts to keep us going!

Jun 23, 2025 • 48min
How GateWay Community College Juggles Clock Hours, Credits & Bachelor's Degrees Like "Chainsaws on Fire" - with Tom Nevill, Vice President of Academic Affairs, GateWay Community College
It's YOUR time to #EdUpClick here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, sponsored by CoursedogYOUR guest is Tom Nevill, Vice President of Academic Affairs, GateWay Community CollegeYOUR cohost is Bridget Moran , Senior Content Manager at CoursedogYOUR host is Dr. Joe SallustioHow does GateWay Community College manage complex program versions across clock hour, credit & non-credit programs?What makes registered apprenticeships challenging to implement & how do community colleges bridge that gap?How is GateWay preparing for Arizona's semiconductor workforce accelerator program?Why is maintaining innovation culture critical for workforce-focused colleges?How does academic leadership balance external noise with core operational functions?Topics include:Multi-modal program management strategiesRegistered apprenticeship implementationSemiconductor workforce developmentInnovation & rapid curriculum adaptationTechnology integration in operationsStudent-centered mission momentsListen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!We make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, please consider support our efforts to keep us going!

Jun 19, 2025 • 38min
What Global Universities Can Teach Us About AI & Academic Standards - with Dr. William Lightfoot, Dean, College of Business, Westcliff University
It's YOUR time to #EdUp Click here to support Elvin & Joe!In this episode, part of our Academic Integrity Series, sponsored by Pangram Labs,YOUR guest is Dr. William Lightfoot, Dean, College of Business, Westcliff UniversityYOUR cohost is Bradley Emi , Cofounder & CTO, Pangram LabsYOUR host is Elvin FreytesHow does Dr. Lightfoot define academic integrity & why does he see it as "what we do"?What challenges come with having students from 120 different countries & 85% international F1 students?How is Westcliff embracing AI as a "thought partner" & helping faculty overcome their fears?What is the SMART program & how does it foster real-world collaboration?How does a B Corp university measure success & prove academic standards beyond enrollment numbers?Topics include:Academic integrity as following through & doing what you say you're going to doThe importance of patience & understanding in a multicultural learning environmentUsing AI as a creative tool for research, teaching & student projectsThe challenge of detecting AI misuse across three layers: direct use, integrated tools & translationsBuilding collaboration skills through real client projects with faculty mentors Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp ExperienceWe make education YOUR business!P.S. If YOU like what YOU hear, feel free to support our efforts to keep us going!


