Tom Simard is Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and he joins NACUBO’s Bryan Dickson, assistant director for advocacy and student financial services. Massachusetts is stepping up to face the question of institutional solvency with a new metric that aims to better understand the nature of previous closures in the state, and provide a diagnostic into potential future challenges facing the state’s institutions.  What is the regulatory role for the state commissioners? How does the department help stakeholders to understand the financial standing of institutions who may be facing financial challenges without being a burden on others? Simard paints a picture of a process designed to support the Massachusetts higher education landscape, and may even serve as a model for other states, too.

Looking at institutional financial health using a student-centered metric

What economic trends today will set the stage for the future? How will legislative actions impact student financial aid? What accounting policy or reporting changes are on the horizon? Navigating the business of higher education institutions requires knowledge about a variety of issues—from finance to campus security. 

In this podcast series, hear colleagues, experts, and industry leaders explore issues, provide best practices, offer solutions to new questions that may not have been asked before, and think through how recent developments will shape their institutions in the months and years ahead.

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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 

Flywire’s Sharon Butler Shares Insights and Research on International Payments

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 

Congressional Catch-Up: A Spring 2024 Legislative Outlook

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 

The “Better FAFSA” Rollout: Where Are We Now?

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 President, Kara Freeman, Delves Into Resilience with Two Higher Ed Leaders

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 

Looking at institutional financial health using a student-centered metric

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