On this episode of The Higher Ed Shift, we are joined by Amanda Ellis, Vice President of K-12 Policies and Programs at the Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education (CPE). Amanda leads strategies for improving collaboration between K-12 and postsecondary education systems to improve the transition and success of students earning postsecondary degrees and credentials. Prior to her role at CPE, Amanda served in multiple roles at the Kentucky Department of Education including the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer. Amanda’s career also includes experience serving eight years as an ..read more

On this episode of The Higher Ed Shift, we are joined by Dr. Rachel Wernicke, the Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer at George Mason University. Dr. Wirnicke is a seasoned leader in higher education where she applies her expertise in mental health, psychology, and leadership in support of the university community. In this episode you'll hear about the day in the life of a Chief Mental Health Officer, strategies that focus on student and staff well-being, the tolls of COVID and financial strain on students, and the growing challenges of burnout and coping for the faculty and staff t ..read more

On this episode of The Higher Ed Shift, we are joined by Michael Meotti, the CEO of Washington State’s Higher Education Agency, who has a unique perspective on Student Success. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a cabinet-level state agency with a mission to raise educational attainment through strategic engagement, program management, and partnerships. WSAC is responsible for strategic planning, oversight and advocacy. Some areas include: Ensure the quality of state financial aid programs and services. Provide college savings opportunities through the Guaranteed Education T ..read more

On this episode of The Higher Ed Shift, we are joined by Tisa Silver Canady from the Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness. Colleges and universities sit at a unique intersection of financial wellness where they can either set a student up for generational financial improvement or bury them in debt without a degree. Tisa and Amy discuss the importance of financial literacy and financial aid literacy among our college-going population and what she is doing to set Maryland’s college students up for financial wellness and how MCCFW came to be. Resources About MCCFW SPIN Survey Descri ..read more

On this episode of The Higher Ed Shift, we are joined by Tom Ellett, the Chief Experience Officer at Quinnipiac University. Tom shares his journey in joining the institution as the first CXO in the country. Tom is committed to his role in overseeing all elements of the student experience and paving a new path for the institution by learning from others in the customer experience space. We dive into what his job entails, how he enables co-creation with students, and what higher ed can learn from other industries. This is an episode you won't want to miss. Connect with Tom Ellett Connect with T ..read more

On this bonus episode of The Higher Shift season one, we sit down with Daniel Barkowitz, VP of Financial Aid and Veteran's Affairs at Valencia College and Charlotte Cole, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Jacksonville State University to learn how they have put HEERF funds to use to address the growing needs of students. We discuss how and when HEERF funds can be used to manage the move to remote instruction and educational requirements about the financial aid appeals process. Daniel and Charlotte will share tips and tricks on how they navigated institutional bureaucracy to get their proj ..read more

On this episode of The Higher Ed Shift, we are joined again by Daniel Barkowitz, VP of Financial Aid and Veteran's Affairs at Valencia College, to do a deep dive into negotiated rule making. We're going to discuss: What it is When and why it happens How you can get involved But most importantly, why it is important to financial aid administrators and their colleges Daniel recently had the opportunity to participate in negotiated rule making for the first time. He will share his experience and perspective. Join us in this great discussion to enhance your understanding of this part of the high ..read more

On this episode of The Higher Ed shift, we sit down with Tina Fernandez, the Executive Director at Achieve Atlanta, whose vision is to make Atlanta a city where race and income no longer predict post-secondary success and upward mobility. We discuss their mission to help Atlanta public school students access, afford, and earn post-secondary credentials and the results their organization has seen. The discussion evolves into sharing specific ways to engage with students, build trusting relationships that help them see a path to college graduation, and reduce the traumatic nature of the funding ..read more

On this episode of The Higher Ed Shift, we are joined by Nadja Jepsen, Financial Programs and Scholarships Senior Director at College Track, a national nonprofit organization serving first-generation students of color from low-income communities. Together, we dive into the topic of scholarship displacement, its impact on students, and the ability for external scholarship providers to fulfill their mission. We end the conversation with a discussion about the pending legislation that is looking to educate students about displacement and discourages colleges from the practice. About Nadja Jepsen ..read more

On this week's episode of The Higher Ed Shift, Amy and Carlo come back together for an interesting discussion on the student loan payment restart set for January 2022. With three months before this deadline, the Department of Education has yet to provide a comprehensive plan that communicates to students how to re-enter their payment plans, impacting an estimated 40 million student loan borrowers after what has been a two-year pause. Amy and Carlo discuss the anticipated challenges this will pose for borrowers, lenders, and The Department. They also discuss the recent Freedom of Information re ..read more