The University Business Podcast

In the wake of major shifts in Title IV borrowing limits, higher education institutions face an urgent imperative: rethinking how graduate and professional students finance their education. With the removal of Grad Plus loans, the federal "shock absorbers" that once bridged the gap between federal aid and the cost of attendance are disappearing. This timely podcast episode explores the impending "student loan drought" and the emerging necessity for institutions to build robust, mission-aligned institutional loan programs. Our guest, Lori Harton, explains why financing is no longer just a back-office financial aid issue—it is a critical enrollment strategy that will determine which institutions preserve access and maintain enrollment stability over the next decade. What You’ll Learn – The Institutional Lending Strategy: The Policy Shift: Understanding the new caps on graduate, professional, and Parent PLUS loans and why the federal landscape is becoming more restrictive. The "Canyon" Gap: How to analyze your institution’s specific funding gaps, especially in high-cost professional pathways like medicine and law. Breaking Misconceptions: Debunking the myth that institutional loans are inherently reckless, and recognizing why they require a collaborative approach across enrollment, finance, and compliance. Strategic Design: How to price loans based on mission rather than margin, and how to wrap support services around the debt to ensure student success. Borrower Experience: Positioning financing as a tool for success rather than a penalty, and leveraging technology to manage the full life cycle of a loan. When federal options fall short, institutions cannot afford to be reactive. The risk is no longer just about making loans—the risk is doing nothing and acting surprised when enrollment softens. From risk management to personalized student support, this episode provides a roadmap for turning a financial challenge into an institutional strength. Podcast Guest Lori Hartung Regional Executive ECSI For more information on navigating these changes in student financial services, visit https://home.ecsi.net/solutions/servicingselect

The growth of micro‑credentials, short‑term certificates and alternative learning pathways has created new options for students and new pressures for institutions.  

One Million Degrees CEO Aarti Dhupelia explains why community colleges must invest more in helping students transition into careers to deliver real economic mobility.

With guest Gregor Thuswaldner, provost of La Roche University (Penn.).

Paullette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, joins the podcast to discuss what it takes to recapture the narrative around DEI initiatives—and perhaps even appeal to members who’ve historically denounced it.

In an era defined by mounting financial pressure in higher education, the question is no longer if a merger or acquisition might be necessary, but what makes a merger successful.

As department chairs face rising costs and stagnant budgets, some are turning to uplift faculty morale and support students.

Podcast Description Across higher education, administrative teams are feeling the impact of reduced staffing, rising workloads, and unrelenting student expectations. From financial aid and billing to registration and support services, institutions are grappling with how to maintain high service levels under increasingly constrained conditions. In this podcast, we take a closer look at the staffing crisis in higher ed—and how some institutions are navigating these pressures by embracing scalable operational models and new approaches to support . Key Takeaways The top drivers behind staff burnout and operational strain in student services offices Why traditional staffing models may no longer meet today’s demands Strategies for scaling your team during peak times without increasing headcount What to consider when evaluating third-party support for student-facing functions Speaker Information Ryan Audus Vice President of Product Strategy, ECSI   Ryan Audus is the Vice President of Product Strategy for Global Payments higher education solutions, ECSI and TouchNet. In his role, Ryan is responsible for product strategy, pricing, research, and technology requirements prioritization. Ryan began his career in higher education technology in 2001 in product management with TouchNet. Since then, Ryan has worn several hats, including manager of product management, director of business development, and security and compliance administrator. Earlier in his career, Ryan worked for SportVision as a multimedia producer. Ryan also led Product Management for PopStar Networks, a digital signage solution provider. Ryan is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education.  

Lisa Larson, CEO of the Education Design Lab, uncovers how the burgeoning world of microcredentials is reshaping higher education by connecting learning directly to the demands of the modern workforce.

Hana Lahr from the Community College Research Center shows us how community colleges are boosting their completion rates by tailoring their operations around the part-time student balancing work, kids and finances.

Revamped focus on workforce outcomes and the rise of nontraditional students are shaking up how accreditors major our colleges and universities. 

With gift-giving increasingly vital, institutions are grappling with new developments in the kinds of gifts they receive—and from whom.

Step into the future of campus access and security as we explore the transformative power of mobile-based access credentials. In this podcast, an expert in the field will reveal how institutions are enhancing security, improving the student experience, and reducing administrative burdens without complex IT overhauls. Discover how to create a flexible ecosystem that adapts to your campus infrastructure while meeting today's mobile-first expectations. Key Takeaways: Implementation strategies Success stories Improvements to security, campus life, and administrative processes Ron Shaffer Industry Solutions Leader – Education Salto [email protected]

The student experience has undergone a profound transformation, driven by technological advances, shifting cultural norms, and a broader focus on sustainability and diversity.   In this podcast, an expert in higher ed tech will share how modern learners differ from previous generations and offer practical insights into how universities can effectively support and engage with this new wave of students. Participants will also hear the ways in which technology, global connectivity, and evolving social dynamics are reshaping technology solutions for the evolving needs of students.    Key Takeaways:  Old vs New Generational Changes: How characteristics of Gen Z and Gen Alpha differ from earlier generations and what that means for the campus experience   Shifting Culture: How an increased focus on diversity and sustainability correlates with self-serve technology and expanded campus services that students have come to expect  Integrated Technologies: Innovative solutions that integrate with campus systems to provide a streamlined student experience while simplifying operations  Increase Campus Relevancy: How the storm of change can help card offices emerge stronger and more relevant than ever  SPONSORED BY TOUCHNET

To get adult learners to return, they often need to be reminded how beneficial a college degree can be for their entire family, one expert says. 

Colleges and universities may need to overhaul some foundational processes in order to unlock a new era of skills-based learning in higher ed, says Jeff Dinski, chief strategy and corporate development officer at Ellucian, on the "The University Business Podcast."

Paying for tuition has become an increasingly complex process, with 55% of U.S. students relying on three or more funding sources to cover their education costs. In fact, 74% of students report that managing their financial-related activities requires moderate to very high effort, according to the 2025 Student Financial Experience Report by TouchNet, and research and analytics company College Pulse. In this podcast, we will discuss these and other results from this year’s report along with actionable insights that will help institutions shift from complexity to convenience to better serve their students. Simplify the financial journey for students and transform their experience by learning how to: · Boost convenience by streamlining student services · Adapt to student preferences with mobile-first payments · Recognize and meet the unique financial challenges of international students · Simplify financial processes by leveraging technology upgrades Podcast Guests Melissa Medeiros Senior Manager, Product Management TouchNet [email protected] [FULL REPORT] 2025 Student Financial Experience Report - Read Here The Student Financial Experience Report offers insights into how students pay for tuition and other campus items, and use mobile technology to navigate their campus experience. Read the report to learn how students’ experiences with financial-related activities can impact their overall higher education journey. https://go.touchnet.com/l/652093/2025-02-20/s73z2   

"We oftentimes don't think much about training with adults on social-emotional development, but we're not done growing," says Karen G. Foley, president and CEO of JPA Chicago.

The technologies that empower learning and living on college and university campuses have changed dramatically over the years.  To better understand what's happening today and where we are going tomorrow, we need to zoom out and recognize the incredible technological journey we have been on—from the good, to the bad, to the simply incredible.   In this podcast, Ron Shaffer, a trendspotter and expert in education technology, will begin by leading us through a look back on this journey. With the benefit of an historical perspective, listeners will glean some insights that we can apply to today’s campus technologies. We will then shift our gaze to the near future and explore some of the new and emerging tech that will be evolving life and learning on campus in the decade to come.  Join the podcast as we:  Examine the evolution of campus technologies and extract valuable insights from past implementations Explore emerging technologies reshaping physical campus operations Preview innovations that will transform campus life and learning in the coming decade This podcast will help higher ed administrators and facilities leaders better evaluate and prepare for the next wave of campus technology integration.  Ron Shaffer   Industry Solutions Leader - Education   Salto   [email protected] 

"There are a lot of things that have people freaked out about the election of the Trump administration, but sometimes disrupting a system is a good thing," Jane Swift, president of Education at Work, says on the latest University Business Podcast.

Public university systems must align with their states to better address economic mobility and workforce development—while swaying with new budgets, fluctuating revenue and other challenges, James Johnsen says.

As technologies, space utilization, and institutional identities evolve at a rapid pace, higher ed libraries are undergoing a fundamental transformation to new modalities, redefining their roles as temples of knowledge and community hubs.   In this podcast, furniture manufacturer KI commissioned StudioFynn to undertake an extensive national research study. The research details the evolving purpose and mission of educational institutions and their library spaces driven primarily by the changing needs and experiences of students, educators, and alumni.   To find the white papers visit https://www.ki.com/insights/markets/higher-education/evolution-of-libraries/. For more information on StudioFYNN visit www.studiofynn.com

Dr. Antonio Flores, president of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), details how Hispanic Serving Institutions will best serve a U.S. labor workforce projected to be one-fifth Hispanic by 2030.  

Breaking down siloes is a method of the past at UT Knoxville. Inaugural dean Ozlem Kilic walks us through how her new college scales cutting-edge curriculum that responds to emerging trends in data science, AI and their cross-section.

Presidents of large DI universities have long-faced pressure to bend the knee to their Division I athletic programs, says this Indiana University president emeritus. Unchecked, it will continue to have a corrosive effect on higher ed's academic and research mission. 

Classroom engagement is still recalibrating since the pandemic, and it will take our combined efforts to build us back stronger, two leaders at Bryant University's Center for Teaching Excellence propose.

Republican lawmakers are exacerbating mistrust in higher education, and it's up to our leaders to boldly protect the sector from political overreach, Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), says on the second episode of The University Business Podcast.

Higher education, employers and college students continue to prioritize academic offerings that promise gainful employment and professional authority. Richard Utz, interim dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Tech, has championed its mission to break down academic siloes and ensure students benefit from an interdisciplinary education.