At a time when misinformation spreads faster than ever and trust in media is under fire, how do we prepare the next generation of ethical, resilient journalists? In this episode of Mastering the Next, we speak with Colleen Leigh, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. A former TV reporter turned higher education leader, Dr. Leigh offers a unique perspective on how journalism education is evolving to meet modern challenges.

Join us as we discuss:

• [2:01] Misinformation, political pressure, and journalistic integrity
• [13:10] What makes students thrive in journalism school
• [17:21] DEI in journalism and building a more inclusive newsroom

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Dr. Colleen Leigh, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY)

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenleigh/

Guest Bio: Colleen Leigh is the Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success at CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.  She oversees Admissions, Student Affairs, Career Services, and Alumni Affairs. She joined the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in 2007 as an admissions/outreach counselor, in 2014 was the school’s Director of Admissions, and in 2019 was our Assistant Dean for Administration, which was the equivalent of our chief operating officer, overseeing Academic Operations, Campus Services, Public Safety, and Technology. Her first role as an admissions officer was for the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. After earning an M.A. in Journalism from Emerson College, Colleen worked as a freelance TV reporter covering the Filipino community in the New York region. In addition to the master’s in journalism, she holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of Scranton, an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this episode, Ray chats with Julio Peña, Vicerrector de Educación Abierta y Organizaciones at Universidad Tecmilenio, one of Mexico’s most innovative universities. Together, they explore how flexible learning models, purpose-driven education, and a deep focus on well-being are transforming student outcomes — and setting new global standards for employability.

Julio shares how Tecmilenio has built a unique “Connect” model that blends online, hybrid, and in-person learning, how 9 out of 10 students land jobs before graduation, and why “well-being” is more than a buzzword — it's at the heart of everything they do. 

Join us as we discuss: 

• [2:15] Tecmilenio’s “Connect” model — flexible, hybrid, and personalized
• [7:22] Why well-being and purpose make all the difference
• [18:00] Co-creating to create ROI for both businesses and learners

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• The Flow model
• The Seligman model
• MAPS model

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Julio Peña, Vicerrector de Educación Abierta y Organizaciones at Universidad Tecmilenio

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-pe%C3%B1a-gaviria-45802825

Guest Bio: Julio Peña Gaviria is Vicerrector de Educación Abierta y Organizaciones at Universidad Tecmilenio. He has more than 30 years of professional experience, 22 of which have been in the world of information technology and digital transformation. He has dedicated his career to driving human potential, its relationship with technology, and access to quality education for all. He holds a degree in economics from Universidad Javeriana, an MBA from CESA, an executive program from Harvard, and the D1 program from IPADE. He has held leadership positions at companies such as IBM, Dell, and Microsoft. In his current role at Tecmilenio, he is responsible for leading the creation and implementation of accessibility and affordability strategies in Mexico and Latin America, focused on lifelong education. His goal is to promote mass, high-impact education based on the needs of organizations and individuals, in order to develop and connect existing talent potential with job market opportunities, seeking to reduce current gaps.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

International students face unique financial challenges when pursuing education abroad, from securing loans without cosigners to navigating shifting immigration policies. In this episode, Ray sits down with Arbaaz Hashmi, Director of Business Development at Sallie Mae, to unpack the evolving landscape of international student financing. They explore how universities, lenders, and financial institutions are working together to create sustainable funding solutions, how technology is transforming underwriting and loan approvals, and why students today are thinking more about ROI than ever before.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [2:10] How universities and lenders can create win-win situations for students
• [11:55] The role of technology in modernizing student loan approval
• [22:16] The future of international student financing, trends, and predictions

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Arbaaz Hashmy, Director of Business Development at Sallie Mae

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbaazhashmy/

Guest Bio: Arbaaz Hashmy is Director of Business Development at Sallie Mae. He has more than 10 years under his belt in partnership management focused on the fin-tech space and managed clients in 33 countries in his last role at MPOWER Financing. After finishing his undergrad in Computer Science Engineering, where he led various student organizations, Arbaaz worked across multiple industries and built meaningful relationships to deliver ambitious business goals. He received his MBA from Johns Hopkins University where he served as the President of the Indian Students Association and an international student ambassador.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Higher education is changing fast, and online learning is at the center of it all. In this episode, Dr. Whitney Kilgore, Co-founder and Chief Academic Officer of iDesign, joins Ray to unpack the biggest trends shaping the future of education. From the rise of AI to the importance of instructional design, Whitney shares why some institutions are leading the charge while others struggle to keep up.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [10:57] How to stay human-centered when integrating AI into education
• [18:32] Why instructional design starts with alignment and how it ensures rigor
• [23:58] What institutions are getting wrong about online learning

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Dr. Whitney Kilgore, Co-Founder and Chief Academic Officer of iDesign

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneykilgore

Guest Bio: Whitney Kilgore is co-founder and chief academic officer of iDesign, a partner to universities that wish to build, grow, and support online and blended course program offerings. iDesign provides concierge, white-glove instructional design support to faculty partners and ensure that faculty feel comfortable, informed, and in control throughout the process of creating online learning experiences for their students. Whitney is currently working on research related to care theory in online learning and the impact to practice of humanizing online teaching and learning. She resides in North Texas with her husband, their four children, two dogs, and a cat. They enjoy hiking, swimming, and wearing their masks.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Online program management (OPM) companies play a crucial role in helping universities navigate the complexities of digital education and online student recruitment. But as skepticism around the OPM model has grown, institutions must carefully weigh their options. In this episode, Ray sits down with Jim Lummus, Executive VP - University Solutions at AllCampus, to break down common misconceptions about OPMs, how universities can maintain control while scaling online, and why different financial models — such as revenue share and fee-for-service — fit different institutional needs.

Join us as we discuss [ADD TIMESTAMPS IN QA]: 

• [2:39] Skepticism and misconceptions around OPM partnerships
• [12:06] Revenue sharing versus fee-for-service models
• [19:35] What school presidents should consider when outsourcing OPM

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Jim Lummus, Executive Vice President, University Solutions at AllCampus

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlummus/

Guest Bio: Jim Lummus is an experienced, growth-oriented leader with accomplishments encompassing sales, operations management, cross-functional team management, territory development, client relationship management and strategic planning. As the executive responsible for the AllCampus sales, sales operations and market research teams, he works proactively to build successful partnerships with graduate degree and upskilling programs at top universities.

Jim gained a track record of combining rapid expansion and exceptional performance through his years of achievements at educational technology and online program management firms like Zovio, Avenu Learning, Academic Partnerships, Deltak and Sylvan Learning. In these roles, he formed valuable relationships with major U.S. and international universities as well as private businesses. Jim holds an MBA from Stetson University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Maryville College.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

The graduate school experience can be as psychologically challenging as it is academically rigorous. Many students struggle with imposter phenomenon, financial stress, and unclear expectations — challenges that impact not only their confidence but also their academic success. In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Cisco and Dr. Jayme Cisco, co-founders of The Grad Academy, join Ray to share insights on the hidden struggles of graduate students and why imposter phenomenon is a key barrier to success. They unpack the institutional gaps that contribute to these challenges and discuss strategies for improving student support.

Join us as we discuss [SET TIMESTAMPS IN QA]:

• The prevalence of imposter phenomenon in graduate student programs
• Helping students understand the processes behind grad school success
• The Grad Academy’s methods and success stories 

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on 

Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

In this bonus episode of Mastering the Next recorded live at the ASU+GSV AI Show, host Ray Lutzky chats with Professor Erin Hill of Jessup University about how her team is transforming legal education through AI in higher education. With the launch of Jessup+AI, one of the first fully AI-immersive learning experiences in U.S. legal education, Erin shares how this model blends AI-powered customization with human mentorship to offer emotionally supportive, personalized learning in higher education. This conversation dives into how AI is being used to improve engagement, assessment, and real-time curriculum design.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

At ASU+GSV Conference 2025, Ray is joined by Bryan Aylward, AVP, Office of Academic Innovation, Operations and Technology for The University of Arizona Global Campus.

Guest Name: Bryan Aylward

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-aylward-psyd-17436210

Guest Bio: AVP, Office of Academic Innovation, Operations and Technology for The University of Arizona Global Campus

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

The healthcare workforce is at a critical crossroads, with a growing labor shortage and increasing patient demands. How can education and industry come together to create sustainable solutions? Ray sits down with Geoffrey Roche, Director of Workforce Development at Siemens Healthineers, to explore the challenges and opportunities in healthcare workforce development. From strategic partnerships between hospitals and universities to policy changes that remove barriers to training, Geoffrey shares insights on what it will take to future-proof the industry.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [4:08] Effective partnerships between academia and healthcare
• [9:41] Why cultural competencies matter in patient care
• [15:15] Addressing higher ed’s blindspots in today’s medical programs

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• University of Wisconsin Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship Program

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Digital accessibility in higher education recruitment isn't just about compliance — it's about ensuring every prospective student can fully engage with your institution's story. Today, we're exploring how to build a stronger case for accessibility in graduate recruitment and marketing. Ray is joined by Eugene Woo, CEO and Founder of Venngage, who's helping institutions create accessible visual content that reaches all prospective students.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [1:15] Why digital accessibility is often treated as an afterthought
• [9:01] Missed recruitment opportunities and shifting the compliance mindset
• [16:39] How proactive compliance could save your institution’s budget

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Eugene Woo, CEO and Founder, Venngage

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yjwoo/

Guest Bio: Eugene is an engineer and visual storytelling enthusiast. He founded Venngage to empower users of all experience levels to create engaging, accessible visuals. Through Venngage, Eugene's goal is to make visual communication more accessible and impactful for everyone.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Dr. Ray Lutzky
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! 
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register