NACUBO In Brief

Holistic advising brings together academic, financial, and personal support to improve student outcomes and retention. NACUBO's Bryan Dickson is joined by Kelli Rainey, senior director for student success initiatives, and Suzanne Lyons, senior consultant at Phase Two Advisory, to explore the critical role business officers play in supporting these efforts strategically. They discuss the cross-functional design behind these practices and how institutions are moving beyond siloed services to scale student-centered models sustainably. The conversation also highlights NACUBO's Student Success Hub, which offers practical tools to help business officers use data to strengthen student success initiatives. Additional Resources Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn Connect with Suzanne on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's Student Success Hub Learn about Phase Two Advisory Read about NACUBO's student success work alongside Phase Two Advisory and Sova Read about CUNY ASAP (City University of New York's Accelerated Study in Associate Programs) Learn more about TRIO programs through the Council for Opportunity in Education Check out this Practice Guide on Effective Advising for Postsecondary Students from the Institute of Education Sciences Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

Some institutions are reducing the all-too-familiar "runaround" by bringing together traditionally separate services like financial aid, student accounts, and the registrar into a single point of contact. Myles Lawhorn (Community College of Philadelphia), Wendy Pursell (Kutztown University), and Jay Stefanelli (Rutgers University–New Brunswick) join NACUBO's Bryan Dickson to discuss these "one-stop" service models. From fully integrated to hybrid approaches, they explore how their institutions are working to remove barriers and create a more connected student-centered experience. The conversation also highlights the importance of buy-in, staff training, and adaptability—along with emerging considerations like AI. Additional Resources Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Connect with Myles on LinkedIn Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn Connect with Jay on LinkedIn Learn more about implementing one-stop models: One Stop Student Services: Why Combining Services Boosts Student Success One-stop centers: Invaluable tools for community colleges and the students we serve Integrating for a Successful One-Stop-Shop for Student Services Why Your 'One-Stop' Is Worth More Than You Think Read research on the impacts of one-stop models: Exploring the Impact of an Integrated Student Services ("One Stop") Model for Graduate Students(full download available) Exploring the Impact of an Integrated Student Services ("One Stop") Model on Access, Affordability, and Student Retention (full download available) Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

"We like to say we're not boring people, but we get excited about boring things," reflects NACUBO's Sue Menditto, senior director for accounting policy. In this episode, she joins Liz Clark, vice president for policy and research, to discuss higher education accounting, Sue's decades-long career contributing to accounting policy standards, and the evolution of the Higher Education Accounting Forum. From AI and workforce trends to financial reporting and policy shifts, they explore how the field has expanded beyond transactions to strategic decision-making. The conversation highlights the critical role of accounting professionals as translators, advisors, and leaders—and why this community continues to come together year after year. Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Sue on LinkedIn Learn more about the 2026 Higher Education Accounting Forum Explore NACUBO's accounting resources Meet the Accounting Principles Council Check out NACUBO's endowment management resources Read recent NACUBO coverage on FASB/GASB updates: GASB Issues Implementation Guide Exposure Draft NACUBO Accounting Principles Council Meets With FASB on Technical Improvements Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

What's happening in Washington, DC, and what does it mean for higher education? Join NACUBO's Liz Clark, vice president for policy and research, and Bryan Dickson, director, education policy, as they unpack what's moving in Washington—and what's still pending. They discuss federal funding updates, the outlook for student aid and research, and what to watch from the White House, including the FY27 budget request and potential changes to Uniform Guidance. The conversation also highlights fast-developing Department of Education regulations and other emerging issues, offering a timely snapshot of the higher education policy landscape. Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Learn more about the Financial Accountability In Research (FAIR) Model on NACUBO's Sponsored Research page Join us for the next Washington Update webinar on April 6 at 1 pm ET Register for the webinar, How and When to Make Perkins Loan Liquidation Decisions, on April 8 Learn about NACUBO's Board of Directors' Advocacy Day Read NACUBO's news coverage: Congress Passes Budget Legislation That Funds Student Aid and Blocks Indirect Cost Rate Caps ED Proposes New Repayment Plans, Loan Limits Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

NACUBO's Bryan Dickson, director, education policy, and Kat Masterson, assistant director for research and policy analysis, join Liz Clark, vice president for policy and research, to discuss the Student Financial Services Benchmarking Report—one of the most practical tools offered by NACUBO's research team. From operational performance and financial risk to staffing trends, the study collects and standardizes data from institutions nationwide, enabling participants to benchmark against peers and track their own progress over time. The conversation highlights how these quantitative insights help campuses evaluate the efficiency of student account operations and strengthen service to students and families.   Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Connect with Katon LinkedIn Learn more about the Student Financial Services Benchmarking Report Check out the Student Financial Services Policies and Procedures Report Data collection begins March 12, if you do not receive an invitation but expected one, please email: [email protected] Check out the 2026 Bursar Fundamentals online learning session recordings Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

How are college and university endowments performing? NACUBO's Ken Redd, senior director for research and policy analysis, and Liz Clark, vice president for policy and research, explore findings from the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments, including investment returns, spending trends, charitable gifts, and student-managed funds. Beyond the numbers, they also discuss the study's core purpose: educating policymakers, the public, business partners, and NACUBO members about how endowments work, how funds are stewarded, and the practices that guide long-term management and governance in support of student success.   Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Ken on LinkedIn Access the NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments Explore more Endowment Management Resources from NACUBO Register for the Endowment Leadership Series (February 17 – March 12, 2026) Learn more about CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

What role does professional development play in helping higher education leaders navigate increasingly challenging environments? NACUBO's Randy Roberson, vice president for leadership development, joins Liz Clark and Bryan Dickson in a conversation about NACUBO's education programs for 2026. They discuss how member-driven content, policy expertise, business partner insights, and peer learning come together across conferences, forums, and online programs. This episode highlights how NACUBO programming helps business officers turn complexity into clarity, build community, and lead their institutions with confidence.     Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Connect with Randy on LinkedIn Learn about Bursar Fundamentals (February 12, 2026) Learn about the Endowment Leadership Series (February 17 – March 12, 2026) Learn about the Student Financial Services Conference (March 8 – 10, 2026) Check out the Higher Education Accounting Forum (April 13 – 15, 2026) Check out the NACUBO Annual Meeting (July 18 – 21, 2026) Check out the NACUBO Events page for forthcoming information on: Planning, Budgeting, and Analytics Forum (October 5 – 7, 2026) Tax Forum (October 25 – 27, 2026) Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

How are higher education business officers integrating artificial intelligence into their work? Join NACUBO's Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research, and Lindsay Wayt, senior director of business intelligence, as they discuss how AI is moving from experimentation to everyday practice across campus operations. They explore new survey insights, emerging use cases, and the opportunities and risks AI presents—from automation and data-informed decision-making to governance, ethics, and ROI. The conversation highlights how business officers can approach AI with cautious optimism while planning strategically for the future. Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn Check out the 5 Things Business Officers Can Do to Support AI Use Read more about the AI survey report Learn more with the Actionable Insights for AI Series (May 12—26) Check out NACUBO's webpage on Artificial Intelligence in the Business Office Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

How can colleges and universities remain agile, student-centered, and future-focused in a rapidly changing work landscape? Join Manish Kumar, vice president for administration and finance at Bowie State University, and NACUBO's Bryan Dickson as they discuss how hybrid work, shifting campus culture, and new technology continue to reshape higher education operations. Manish shares lessons from Bowie State's post-pandemic transformation—from flexible work policies and reimagined campus space usage to strategic long-term planning and responsible AI adoption.   Additional Resources Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Learn more about Manish and Bowie State Read NACUBO's coverage on Supporting and Maintaining the Workforce, from NACUBO's Top 5 Higher Education Business Issues of 2025 Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

In this episode, NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman joins Liz Clark, vice president for policy and research, to share what she's heard from business officers and other higher education administrations from across the country during her travels this fall. Kara brings a broad view of the challenges institutions are navigating and identifies major themes emerging across institutions—uncertain funding, rising costs, workforce pressures, and rapid digital transformation. She highlights how business officers are adapting through flexible planning, collaboration, and innovation.   Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Kara on LinkedIn Read NACUBO's Top 5 Higher Education Business Issues of 2025 Use NACUBO's More Is Possible With Higher Education to amplify the value of higher education Check out the NACUBO Student Success Hub Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

November 12, 2025, marked the end of the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. What happens next for higher education? In this episode, NACUBO's Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research, and Bryan Dickson, director of student financial services and educational programs, discuss how the shutdown impacted colleges and universities and what changes are on the horizon now that the government has reopened. They discuss the FY26 budget, Workforce Pell, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, federally sponsored research, and more – and what it all means for the campus business office.   Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Read more NACUBO coverage on these topics: Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Sponsored Research Liz's Shutdown Story "Many Questions Remain Unanswered Despite End of Shutdown" Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

What happens when institutions prioritize collaboration over competition and align their missions together for the common good? Join Charlie McFarland, director, strategic affiliation initiatives, Antioch University; Jeff Nutter, chief financial officer and vice president for business affairs, Otterbein University; and NACUBO's Liz Clark, as they discuss how and why their universities formed a separate entity—the Coalition for the Common Good, a different type of academic shared services organization that has created new pathways and opportunities for students   Charlie and Jeff talk about shared governance, shared resources, faculty buy-in, and the coalition's overall impact on enrollment and how it is clearing pathways for student success and completion at both Antioch University and Otterbein University. They also discuss a dedication to promoting the common good, including democracy, social justice, equity, inclusion, and engaged global citizenship.   Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn Learn about Coalition for the Common Good Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

College and university business officers know what they know, but how can they translate commonly misunderstood complex financial terms and processes – such as endowments, deferred maintenance, and funding salary and benefit rates – into something accessible for nonfinancial audiences? In this episode, Rachel Pauletti, director, higher education consulting at Forvis Mazars, joins NACUBO's Liz Clark in a conversation about the importance of the business officer's role in effective financial communication with campus faculty and staff.   Rachel explains that faculty and staff are critical stakeholders in strategic planning, thus, not giving them a full understanding of at least the operating model and high-level revenues and expenses would be a disservice. They can bring interesting thoughts to the table – especially once they have all the information.   Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's Strategic Higher Education Finance and Planning Course Learn about Forvis Mazars' Higher Education Financial Literacy Training Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is more than just a threat assessment; it's a methodical organization-wide approach to making decisions about the safety and security of college and university community members – on campus and abroad. Join Bronté Burleigh-Jones, CFO, vice president, and treasurer at American University; Keesha Trim, senior director of risk management at the University of Richmond; and NACUBO's Liz Clark as they discuss key considerations to make when implementing an integrated approach to risk management in higher education.   Bronté and Keesha talk about the shared responsibility in ensuring ERM plans are always ready to meet the moment and how to communicate ERM strategies to the broader community. Bronté also shares the mindful approach her campus took in conducting a risk analysis on whether to arm or not arm the campus police department – showcasing how a thoughtful ERM process can set a standard for future decision-making.   Additional Resources Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Keesha on LinkedIn Learn about University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) Check out URMIA's Annual Conference, Oct 12-16 Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

When tuition policies have more exceptions than the rule or there is a need to increase student enrollment and reach new markets, it might be time for institutions to take a fresh look at—and consider modernizing—those policies. In this episode, the University System of Maryland's Colleen Auburger, associate vice chancellor for budget analysis, and Chad Muntz, associate vice chancellor for decision support and chief analytics officer, join NACUBO's Bryan Dickson in a conversation on how they aligned tuition policies with their strategic priorities and guiding values of accessibility and affordability.   Chad and Colleen discuss how they built a workplan with considerations for timing, impacts, and risks, and the importance of engaging with stakeholder groups in a meaningful and manageable way to get feedback. They also share how equity and access were addressed and offer advice for other institutions exploring a realignment of tuition policies with long-term strategic planning.   Additional Resources Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

Employee disengagement and burnout don't just affect morale; they carry real financial and human costs for institutions. In this episode, Amanda Bailey, vice president for human resources at Boston University, and Kelcey Stratton, chief behavioral health strategist at the University of Michigan, join NACUBO's Bryan Dickson in a conversation on the hidden costs when institutions don't prioritize mental health and employee well-being.   There are institutional costs associated with employee turnover, as well as absenteeism, presenteeism, and lower engagement. Amanda and Kelcey review healthcare data and share how their institutions are aligning policies and programs to meet the evolving needs of faculty and staff. They also share how business officers can think holistically about cost, culture, and impact, and why well-being should remain part of financial sustainability conversations.   Additional Resources Read this Surgeon General Publication on Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being Read more on Employee Engagement Strategies: Fixing the World's $8.8 Trillion Problem Read more about Addressing Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being With Purpose - Huron Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn Connect with Kelcey on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn

There's no shortage of news about the U.S. Department of Education these days—from an executive order proposing to eliminate the agency, to new proposals on Capitol Hill that could reshape federal aid programs, to upcoming regulatory changes. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' Karen McCarthy joins NACUBO's Liz Clark and Bryan Dickson to explore what these developments mean for higher education institutions and staff working in financial aid and business offices. They also discuss how NASFAA and NACUBO are supporting their members through advocacy and engagement.   Additional Resources: Read the latest NACUBO news Follow NASFAA on LinkedIn Connect with Liz Clark on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan Dickson on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

April 30 marked the first 100 days President Trump's second term in the White House. Executive orders and federal agency upheavals have created new challenges and much uncertainty for colleges and universities. On Capitol Hill, House budget and tax proposals include a number of policy ideas that are adding to concerns. NACUBO's Liz Clark and Ashley Jackson discuss these issues and advocacy efforts NACUBO has taken on behalf of its members.   Additional Resources: Read the latest NACUBO news Register for the next NACUBO Washington Update Connect with Ashley Jackson on LinkedIn Connect with Liz Clark on LinkedIn

The fifth edition of the National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers, released last year, offers crucial insights into the career paths, responsibilities, and aspirations of CBOs across the country. In this special crossover episode between CBO Speaks and NACUBO in Brief, host Donna Schiele and NACUBO's Bryan Dickson explore the Profile's findings with Nicole Long, chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, and Peter Elliott, vice president for administrative services at South Florida State College in Avon Park, Florida.   The Profile examines key demographic trends in higher education leadership, revealing significant progress in diversity while highlighting areas still needing improvement. Long and Elliott provide valuable context around the study's findings on career pathways, succession planning, and evolving skill requirements. Their discussion emphasizes how the CBO role continues to expand beyond traditional financial oversight, with increasing focus on data analytics, new business models, and strategic planning - areas that require intentional development of future leaders.   Join us for an insightful discussion about: Key findings from the 2024 CBO Profile, including demographic shifts and emerging trends Essential skills for modern CBOs, including strategic planning and change management The importance of succession planning and developing future leaders How the role of CBO continues to evolve and expand beyond traditional financial responsibilities Strategies for attracting diverse talent to CBO positions The 2024 National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers provides crucial insights into the changing nature of the profession, revealing how the role continues to expand beyond traditional financial oversight to encompass strategic planning, data analytics, and comprehensive institutional leadership. This discussion brings these findings to life through the experiences of current CBOs, offering valuable perspective for institutions and leaders working to develop the next generation of higher education business officers.   Links Learn more about the National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers Connect with Peter on LinkedIn Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

Executive orders and memos issued during President Trump's first weeks back in the White House have elevated risk and uncertainty for colleges and universities. A leaked list of House budget and tax proposals includes a number of alarming policy ideas, and it is unclear how, or if, the Congress will be able to fund the federal government after March 14. NACUBO's Liz Clark and Ashley Jackson discuss these issues and advocacy efforts NACUBO has taken on behalf of its members.   Links & Notes NACUBO Letter to Congress on 2025 Priorities (January 31, 2025) NACUBO Statement on Federal Funding Freeze Catch up on news from NACUBO Register for NACUBO's February 11, 2025 Washington Update Connect with Ashley Jackson on LinkedIn Connect with Liz Clark on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

Dr. Ruth Johnston, vice president of NACUBO Consulting joins Liz Clark to talk about NACUBO Consulting. Ruth talks about the expertise, experience, and leadership abilities NACUBO consultants bring to each engagement. She also discusses some of the top issues for which institutions are seeking solutions. Ruth also explains how NACUBO Consultants are integrating tools available from NACUBO such as the Student Success Hub, resources developed by NACUBO's analytics team, and more.   Links & Notes Learn more about NACUBO Consulting Connect with Ruth Johnston on LinkedIn Access the NACUBO Student Success Hub Explore additional analytics resources from NACUBO Discover Higher Education's Top 5 Business Issues of 2024

La Toya Hart, Ph.D., assistant vice president, institutional research, planning and effectiveness, at Jackson State University and Lindsay Wayt, Ph.D., senior director, analytics, at NACUBO join Liz Clark to talk about the new Change With Analytics Playbook, a comprehensive resource designed to support institutions in creating a culture and capacity for strategic data use. The free resource contains 16 "plays" for data leaders to follow in order to make significant progress on their institution's analytics goals.   Links & Notes Access the Change with Analytics Playbook Connect with La Toya on LinkedIn Connect with Lindsay on Linked In Explore additional analytics resources from NACUBO

Demographic and economic swings are a reality for colleges and universities, but thoughtful campus leaders can create proactive, rather than reactive, approaches to program development and connect those with employers' workforce needs. Ivy Tech Community College's Dominick Chase, senior vice president and chief financial officer, and Molly Dodge, senior vice president of workforce and careers sit down with NACUBO's Bryan Dickson, director of student financial services and educational programs, to discuss how the institution cultivated corporate partnerships and legislative support for a dynamic, skills-oriented curriculum that has increasingly transformed student outcomes.   Additional Resources:   Connect with Dominick on LinkedIn Connect with Molly on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

Student retention is a top priority for every campus and is affected by numerous factors. Everything from accessibility to payment instructions, course registration and billing due dates, payment methods and options could influence student retention. Join Becky Copper-Glenz, Fitchburg State University's dean for the school of graduate, online, and continuing education, and Bryan Dickson, NACUBO's director of student financial services and educational programs as they discuss research findings from the university. They'll explore which billing practices have impacted enrollment and retention, how practices are being applied to different student groups, and whether their payment processes are aligned with today's environment.     Additional Resources: Learn more about Fitchburg State's work Connect with Becky on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn

Anne Ollen, Managing Director at the TIAA Institute, a think-tank within TIAA, develops and executes the TIAA Institute's higher education program. In conversation with NACUBO's vice president for policy and research, Liz Clark, Anne shares highlights from a recent TIAA Institute research initiative to deepen understanding of potential and current employees' job choices and what people expect to gain in return for the work they do at colleges and universities. She describes a tool institutional leaders can consider—an employee value proposition (EVP)—to convey the benefits of working in higher education. Anne shares insights on the tangible and intangible benefits of an EVP. Additional Resources Explore the research from the TIAA Institute Learn more about Anne Ollen Connect with Anne on LinkedIn Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

Brent O'Guin, artificial intelligence strategist and architect at the Georgia Institute of Technology speaks with Neil Gavigan, policy and advocacy manager at NACUBO about his work leading generative AI integration across the institution. Stating "you don't have to wait to start getting value from AI," Brent shares his experiences helping staff build a working understanding of readily available tools while applying them to various administrative functions. Links & Notes Read about Georgia Tech's Responsible Adoption of AI Connect with Brent on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

With 30 years of experience in higher education administration, Mark Hampton, executive education advisor at Amazon Web Services (AWS), is deeply familiar with the changing needs of institutions and necessary steps to meet the challenge. In conversation with NACUBO's vice president, policy and research, Liz Clark, Mark shares insights about change management as well as the importance of proper data stewardship.   Likening an institution's data to its financial resources, Mark challenges administrators to break down data silos before they are "left behind" in this era of rapid technological change.   Links & Notes Read Not Set in Stone: Strategies to Break Down Data Silos and Increase Analytics ROI See Mark's work with AWS Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

Andrea Young, vice president for finance and administration at DePauw University, and Curtis Wiseley, executive director of MINDful College Connections, speak with Neil Gavigan, policy and advocacy manager at NACUBO, about their innovative approach to better meet the mental health needs of students at Depauw University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and St. Mary of the Woods College.   With a shared vision and support from the Lilly Endowment, these three institutions created a flexible and responsive consortium to help each member deliver resources when—and where—their students need them.   Links & Notes Learn more about MINDful College Connections Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

In 2021, human resources leaders at the University of California, Irvine leveraged changing ideas about the nature of work to introduce "Work Reimagined," a program designed to retain the institution's culture and community and deliver on its mission while building a human-centric work experience that allows for increased flexibility where and when employees work.   In this episode, UC Irvine's Ramona Agrela, chief human resources officer, vice chancellor, and Michele Quint, executive director health sciences HR & medical center HR join Neil Gavigan, policy and advocacy manager at NACUBO to share about the ongoing process their institution is taking to improve outcomes for the institution and its employees.   Links & Notes Read more about UC Irvine's Work Reimagined program Connect with Ramona on LinkedIn Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

Pete Zuraw, vice president of market strategy and development at Gordian, joins Neil Gavigan, policy and advocacy manager at NACUBO to discuss the latest in higher education facilities management. The conversation centers around the 11th edition of Gordian's State of Facilities in Higher Education study, released earlier this year.   Pete and Neil focus on the various human elements that provide a foundation for higher education facilities: an aging facilities workforce, changing demographics in higher education, and the mission-driven purposes of facilities.   Links & Notes Download The State of Facilities in Higher Education, 11th Edition Download Gordian, APPA, and NACUBO's Framework for Rethinking Collaboration in Higher Education Explore NACUBO's State of Higher Education series Connect with Pete on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

In this episode, NACUBO's senior director, research and policy analysis, Ken Redd joins vice president, policy and research, Liz Clark to dig into the inputs and impacts of NACUBO's research projects.   Beginning with the 2023 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments, a report that marks the 50th anniversary of NACUBO's endowment study, they walk through the evolving research process and changing policy considerations of this flagship report on college and university endowments. Next they discuss results of the 2023 NACUBO Tuition Discounting Study—an annual study of tuition discounting practices, the use of institutional grant aid to reduce undergraduate tuition, at private nonprofit institutions. On the whole, Liz and Ken shed light on how these studies help inform business officers, the higher education sector, and members of the public about key trends in higher education finance.   Links & Notes Download the 2023 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments Read the press release: U.S. Higher Education Endowments Report 7.7% Return for FY23 While Spending More in Support of Their Missions Read the 50-year NACUBO endowment study retrospective Download the 2023 NACUBO Tuition Discounting Study Read the press release: Annual NACUBO Tuition Discounting Study Finds Financial Aid Awards on the Rise Read insights from Wofford College about tuition discounting Learn more about NACUBO Research Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Ken on LinkedIn

During the 2024 NACUBO Annual Meeting, NACUBO will unveil a new Student Success Hub, a toolkit designed to offer pragmatic approaches to evaluate and sustain student equity and student success initiatives. The Hub is the result of work from NACUBO that has been supported by three 3-year grants to produce a bank of resources to strengthen schools' ability to analyze financial and student outcomes-related data.   In this episode, NACUBO's vice president for policy and research, Liz Clark speaks with Kelli Rainey, Ed.D., senior director for grants management about the project and Amber Randolph, senior vice chancellor for administration and economic development, and chief financial officer at Rutgers University-Newark to learn more about the journey she and representatives from the 25 other participating colleges and universities undertook to develop this important project.   Links & Notes Listen to NACUBO In Brief Episode 84: Breaking Down Silos to Create and Sustain Equitable Student Outcomes Connect with Amber on LinkedIn Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn

Sharon Butler is deeply familiar with the "uneasiness and concerns" that international students face when it comes to paying tuition and other expenses. As Executive Vice President of Global Education at Flywire, a global payments enablement company that partners with institutions across the world, she is looking for solutions to these problems. In a conversation with NACUBO's Bryan Dickson, director, student financial services and educational programs, Sharon shares findings from a recent a survey of more than 1,800 students across the world and talks about the importance of reducing friction to help students find the right solution.   Links & Notes View Flywire's study Unlocking the Door to Higher Education Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn

On the heels of a recent fly-in advocacy day on Capitol Hill, NACUBO's director, government affairs, Ashley Jackson speaks with policy and advocacy manager Neil Gavigan about the state of play in Congress. The conversation touches on highlights from that fly-in and examines how fallout from the protracted FY24 appropriations process, along with upcoming elections, may affect the legislative calendar for months to come.   Links & Notes Visit NACUBO's Advocacy Issues Page Watch NACUBO's Advocacy 101 Webinar Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

Every year, students and families rely on federal student aid to make decisions about higher education. As the Department of Education has struggled to implement a streamlined version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), pressure has steadily increased on students, families, and the institutions that serve them. In this episode, Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) joins NACUBO's Bryan Dickson, director of student financial services and educational programs, to discuss the far-reaching challenges brought about by this rough rollout.   Links & Notes Visit NASFAA's FAFSA Simplification Center Watch NACUBO's Update on "Better FAFSA" Implementation Connect with Justin Draeger on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan Dickson on LinkedIn

In this special episode, Kara Freeman, NACUBO's president and CEO, interviews two familiar higher education colleagues about their recent book, The Resilient University: How Purpose and Inclusion Drive Student Success.   Throughout the conversation, Freeman Hrabowski III, president emeritus, and Lynne Schaefer, vice president emerita for finance and administration at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), share insights earned through careers in together in higher education leadership at UMBC. Their discussion touches on the role leaders must play in meeting campus challenges, building an inclusive community, the purpose and value of higher education, and much more.   Links & Notes The Resilient University: How Purpose and Inclusion Drive Student Success NACUBO's State of Higher Education Series: More Is Possible With Higher Education Connect with Kara on LinkedIn Connect with Lynne on LinkedIn Watch this episode on YouTube

NACUBO's Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research, speaks with Emily Brock from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) about what's expected from Washington policymakers this year. Emily is director of GFOA's Federal Liaison Center and shares her thoughts on what legislative and regulatory actions may impact financings (bonds) and talks about the patience needed as we await additional guidance from the federal government on several fronts.   Links & Notes About GFOA GFOA Best Practices GFOA ESG Disclosure Resource Page on the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA) Background on the FDTA NACUBO News: IRS Opens Direct Pay Election Tool for Clean Energy Credits Connect with Emily on LinkedIn Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

In a conversation based around their NACUBO 2023 Annual Meeting session, Lou Mayer, chief finance officer, vice president of finance and treasurer and Tej Patel, vice president for information technology and chief information officer at Stevens Institute of Technology talk with Neil Gavigan, policy and advocacy manager at NACUBO about cyberattacks and higher education.   Throughout the conversation, Lou and Tej illustrate why higher education is a prime target for cybercrime and share lessons learned from a 2019 ransomware attack on Stevens.   Links & Notes Connect with Lou on LinkedIn Connect with Tej on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

On this all-NACUBO episode of the podcast, Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research speaks with Kelli Rainey, senior director, grant programs about Kelli's ongoing work to help institutions strategically finance equitable student outcomes. Supported by a series of multi-year grants, this effort has partnered NACUBO with a diverse group of 26 institutions across the country to build understanding around how to improve student outcomes and provide higher education leaders with the tools and information they need to best serve their students.   Links & Notes Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn Connect with Liz on LinkedIn NACUBO Grant and Foundation Partners

Chris Harder, senior fiscal operations manager for student affairs at Metropolitan State University of Denver joins NACUBO's Bryan Dickson, director, student financial services and educational programs, for a conversation about MSU Denver's decision to pay its lowest earners more than legally required. Referring to the move as an "investment in the institution and its students," Chris shares background on the decision as well as challenges, anticipated and otherwise, implementing the plan.   Links & Notes Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn MIT Living Wage Calculator

NACUBO's Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research speaks with Ann Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Mauve Group. Together, they discuss Ann's early work as an educator and how Mauve Group has grown to offer a variety of global operations services in more than 100 countries "from Japan to Chile." After realizing there were opportunities to offer new solutions to the higher education sector in 2012, Mauve Group now offers support to institutions that employ people outside the United States in research, instruction, data analysis, and much more.   Links & Notes Connect with Anne on LinkedIn Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Mauve Group

Building on their institution's legacy of serving disadvantaged students, Penny Evans-Plants, chief information officer and Zach Sherwin, director of enterprise analytics at Berry College join NACUBO's Bryan Dickson, director of student financial services and educational programs to discuss their ongoing efforts to leverage existing data to better serve students. By focusing on "identifying students with excessive debt and intervening as soon as possible," Penny and Zach are helping to produce positive outcomes for their most at-risk students.   Links & Notes Connect with Penny on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn

With input from business officers at public and private colleges and universities across the country, NACUBO recently identified the most-pressing higher education business issues in 2023. NACUBO's 2023 Rising Star Award recipient, Katie Walker, assistant vice president for finance at the University of Virginia, joins Liz Clark, vice president for policy and research at NACUBO, to discuss the challenges—and how colleges are strategizing to respond. Links & Notes NACUBO's Top 5 Higher Education Business Issues of 2023 Connect with Katie on LinkedIn Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) CBO Speaks

As we enter a new academic year and colleges and universities welcome new and returning students, NACUBO In Brief speaks with enrollment experts. In a conversation addressing different challenges facing enrollment officers, lessons learned from the pandemic, and more, Neil Gavigan, NACUBO's policy and advocacy manager, sits down with Fabrizio D'Aloisio, associate vice provost for enrollment management and executive director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Kevin O'Sullivan, vice president of enrollment management at Iona University. At a time when perceptions of higher education are increasingly complex, Fabrizio and Kevin provide insights into national and local approaches for attracting and retaining students. Links & Notes Connect with Fabrizio on LinkedIn Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

NACUBO's new podcast Career Conversations, featuring insights and advice for business professionals new to higher education, starts airing biweekly on September 8th. Make sure to subscribe!

Discussing the latest release in NACUBO's state of higher education series: More is Possible with Higher Education, NACUBO's director, student financial services and educational programs, Bryan Dickson, speaks with senior director, analytics, Lindsay Wayt. Together, they examine some of the ways that higher education benefits students, communities, and society as well as areas where institutions may be able to do even more.   Links & Notes More is Possible with Higher Education NACUBO's State of Higher Education Series Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn

Where do things stand for higher education as the Biden Administration attempts to govern with a now divided congress? What would a U.S. debt default – or a political deal – entail for institutions? Will the U.S. Supreme Court's judgments on student debt relief and the use of affirmative action practices in the admissions process have a significant impact on the sector? This week on NACUBO In Brief, members of the NACUBO federal affairs team – Bryan Dickson, Ashley Jackson, and Liz Clark – discuss what's going on in the nation's capital, including recent regulatory initiatives at the Department of Education.

Nobody wants a college to close, but enrollment and demographic trends, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, are requiring some colleges to consider what steps they may need to take to survive and thrive. For some, the only option may be a merger or affiliation with another institution. Join Michael B. Alexander, President, Lasell University; Kasia Lundy, EY-Parthenon Principal, US Higher Education, Ernst & Young LLP; and Haven Ladd, EY-Parthenon US Education Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, as they discuss models for mergers, mitigating risks, and governance and execution considerations.

In the final episode of a five-part series based on NACUBO's Top Five Higher Education Business Issues of 2022 project, five members of the higher education community weigh in on the most pressing challenges facing students and what their organizations are doing to help create positive change. Responding to a two-part question from Neil Gavigan, NACUBO's policy and advocacy manager, we hear from Chris Foster, The University of North Texas; Dr. Jhenai Chandler, The Institute for College Access and Success; Emmanual Guillory, The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Jeremy DiGorio, Stetson University; and David Arnold, NASPA   Links & Notes NACUBO's Top 5 Higher Education Business Issues of 2022 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Connect with Jhenai on LinkedIn Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn Connect with Emmanual on LinkedIn Connect with David on LinkedIn Connect with Neil on LinkedIn

In the fourth episode of a five-part series based on NACUBO's Top Five Higher Education Business Issues of 2022 project, Liz Clark, NACUBO's vice president, policy and research, speaks with Andy Brantley, president and CEO of CUPA-HR and Choi Halladay, deputy executive director of business operations at the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Building on findings from the 2022 CUPA-HR Employee Retention Survey, they discuss "a recruitment and retention crisis" in higher education and the need for flexibility and innovation, as leaders seek to invest in their employees. Links & Notes NACUBO's Top 5 Higher Education Business Issues of 2022 CUPA-HR Employee Retention Survey Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Connect with Andy on LinkedIn Connect with Choi on LinkedIn