In this episode we explore the evolving landscape of affordable public education. I’m joined by Dr. Kathie Fleck, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Ivy Tech Community College, one of the largest community college systems in the United States.  We’ll discuss innovative strategies for positioning high-quality, accessible education in the public eye and uncover what's next for promoting the value and impact of community colleges in the ever-changing educational ecosystem.

Guest Name: Dr. Kathie Fleck, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Ivy Tech Community College

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

Guest Bio: Dr. Kathie Fleck, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, joined Ivy Tech after serving as the Chief Operations Officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation, where she was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to administer a $4B annual fiscal program across 12 district offices and lead a team of 5,500 across the state. Under her leadership, Kathie transformed the department to become a vital member of the governor’s administration and implemented long-term strategic initiatives to elevate employee engagement and improve customer service. She previously served in a similar role with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. 
Kathie also brings a robust academic and entrepreneurial background to her role at Ivy Tech, having served as an Associate Professor of Communications Studies for nearly 10 years at Ohio Northern University. She founded KRF Consulting, a leadership consultancy representing clients in the financial services, manufacturing and government sectors, in 2011. 
As Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Kathie oversees the development and execution of the College’s marketing and communications strategies, including all statewide branding, marketing and advertising campaigns and student communications that drive enrollment and retention. She also leads the College’s Creative Services hub. She will work closely with Public Affairs, which will continue to handle the College’s News Media Relations and internal communications. 
Kathie holds a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University. She obtained her Master of Arts from Indiana University Bloomington and her Bachelor of Science from Bowling Green State University. She holds an Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America.  

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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, “Mastering the Next” welcomes Dr. MJ Knoll-Finn, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at NYU, to discuss a pressing topic in higher education today: the role of AI in student support. As AI continues to reshape various aspects of our lives, NYU is at the forefront, integrating these technologies into their student services. The interview explores how NYU is leveraging AI to enhance student success while maintaining their commitment to a human-centered, service-oriented approach.

Guest Name: Dr. MJ Knoll-Finn, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at New York University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mj-knoll-finn-edd-mba-4a5320a/

Guest Bio: Dr. MJ Knoll-Finn is Senior Vice President for Global Enrollment Management and Student Success. 
A national leader in higher education, Knoll-Finn heads the highly strategic, values driven division of Enrollment Management at New York University. With a personal commitment to excellence and inclusion, she has a proven track record of increasing diversity, academic quality, selectivity, retention and graduation rates in a variety of academic institutions. 
During Knoll-Finn’s time at NYU, she has spearheaded several strategies that have resulted in doubling the number of first-year applications to almost 120,000, while improving the diversity and academic profile of incoming students, and improving student retention and graduation rates. These successes can be attributed, in part, to her leadership in developing both an Access and Pre-College Programs Office within Undergraduate Admissions and an Office of Student Success that supports student persistence.  
Knoll-Finn is an innovator in the industry, with over 32 years of experience. She frequently speaks at national and regional conferences on current trends in higher education, and the strategic use of analytics and data in enrollment strategy and institutional positioning. Knoll-Finn leads her staff to recognize and understand personal stories as well as how to use data strategically. She encourages learning diverse viewpoints and understanding generational differences as a framework to inform support for students and work across the university. 
Knoll-Finn’s division is responsible for undergraduate enrollment functions, institutional research, and data governance across NYU's schools and colleges in New York and degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. In addition, the division offers strategic consulting to the graduate schools. 
Before joining NYU, Knoll-Finn served as Vice President of Enrollment for Emerson College after a tenure as Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions at Northeastern University School of Law. Her Board memberships include The College Board and the US Strategic Advisory Board of IDP-Connect.  
Knoll-Finn earned her BA as a first-gen student from the University of New Hampshire and holds an MBA from Northeastern University. She earned her doctorate of education in Leadership and Innovation from NYU Steinhardt’s School of Culture, Education and Human Development.

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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, we're joined by Robina Schepp, Vice President for Enrollment and Placement at Pace University in New York. Our discussion explores the strategies behind successful graduate student career placement and discusses how Pace, a school known for its deep connections with industry and employers, is helping students navigate the evolving job market.  Robina is here to share her insights and strategies to support career success for graduate students.

Guest Name: Robina Schepp, Vice President for Enrollment and Placement at Pace University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robina-schepp-1672a24/

Guest Bio:  Robina Schepp is the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Placement at Pace University. Now in her 21 st year with Pace, she leads undergraduate, graduate, and international enrollment, financial services, veterans’ services and career services for the private university with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, NY. Known for experiential education and its strong connections to employers, Pace educates 13,000 students in its six schools and colleges. Driven by a strong commitment to collaboration across the university and data driven decision making, Robina and her team have successfully diversified the university’s market reach, expanding enrollment from outside of the New York metropolitan area and have brought more than 20 new graduate programs to market. Since 2007, University enrollment has increased by more than 2,000 FTEs and employment rates for Pace graduates have consistently been 10 percent higher than the national average. Prior to assuming enrollment responsibilities, Robina was the AVP for Marketing at Pace and served as the Director of Public Relations at Seton Hall University. Her career in marketing began at the Monmouth County Park System in New Jersey. Ms Schepp earned a Bachelor’s degree from Providence College and an MPA from Seton Hall University.

- - - -

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

Financial aid is something that’s been on the mind of many higher education and enrollment management leaders this past year, particularly with the botched roll-out of the new FAFSA; the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  In this episode I’m joined by Dan Currell, who served as Deputy Under Secretary and Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education from 2018 to 2021 and now, among other things, serves on the board of Adro, a company providing U.S. banking solutions for international students coming to America.  He will help us demystify the world of Federal financial aid policy and the future student aid.

Guest Name: Dan Currell, former Deputy Under Secretary and Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-currell-70b7a/

Guest Bio: Dan Currell served as Deputy Under Secretary and Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education from 2018 to 2021, where he worked on issues relating to financial aid, civil rights, and foreign influence in U.S. higher education. He is a Senior Fellow at the National Security Institute at George Mason University, where he writes about the intersection of national security and higher education, and he has written on education policy for National Affairs, The Dispatch, The New York Times, the Minnesota Star Tribune and other media outlets. Prior to joining the Department of Education, Mr. Currell was an Executive Director at the Corporate Executive Board (NYSE: CEB) where he was a management consultant to senior legal, finance and strategy executives. Dan went to Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Chicago Law School.  He lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his family and serves on the Gustavus board of trustees.

- - - -

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 of “Mastering the Next,” Sara Custer, Editor-in-Chief at Inside Higher Ed, discusses the future of AI in transforming classroom engagement. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to reshape how instructors connect with students is immense. We delve into the promising tools and methods emerging in this space, explore the ethical implications, and consider how institutions can harness AI to benefit all students while supporting faculty in this technological transition.

Guest Name: Sara Custer, Editor-in-Chief at Inside Higher Ed

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-custer-44534427/

Guest Bio: Sara Custer is the Editor-in-Chief of Inside Higher Ed, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth news, analysis, and opinion pieces that shape the discourse in higher education. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Sara has established herself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for her keen insights and ability to cover complex topics with clarity and nuance.  Before her role at Inside Higher Ed, Sara served as the editor of Campus at Times Higher Education (THE), where she was instrumental in expanding THE's global reach and influence. She has a strong background in covering international education, having reported extensively on higher education trends across continents.

- - - -

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 live episode from NACAC 2024, Dr. Ray Lutzky sits down with Fatema Dalal, Director of Admissions for the School of Engineering at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City. They discuss Cooper Union’s path toward becoming a 100% tuition-free institution by 2029 and the impact of its recent announcement providing free tuition for current seniors. The conversation also touches on the institution’s rich history, new academic programs, and vision for the future.

Key Takeaways

• Free tuition announcement: Cooper Union surprised its senior class with full tuition scholarships, marking a significant milestone toward the goal of becoming tuition-free by 2029.
• Commitment to access and equity: Continuing Peter Cooper’s legacy, Cooper Union remains focused on providing equitable access to higher education.
• New computer science major: The institution is launching a new computer science program in Fall 2025, expanding opportunities for future students in technology and engineering fields.‍

What was the impact of Cooper Union’s surprise free tuition announcement for seniors?
Fatema Dalal describes the excitement and energy felt during the institution’s convocation when the announcement was made that all current seniors would receive free tuition. This gesture is part of Cooper Union’s larger commitment to returning to a fully tuition-free model by 2029, a hallmark of the institution’s history. The initiative represents a significant step toward alleviating financial burdens for students and reinforcing the college’s mission of access and equity.

How does this move align with Cooper Union’s founding principles?
Cooper Union, founded in 1859 by Peter Cooper, has a long history of providing free education and promoting access regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The return to free tuition is a continuation of the institution’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities in higher education. Dalal highlights the institution’s deep roots in social justice, from hosting the first Society for Women Engineers chapter to supporting major historical movements like women’s suffrage and civil rights. This legacy continues to inspire the institution’s modern-day initiatives, including the current push to reduce tuition costs and maintain its inclusive ethos.

What does the future hold for Cooper Union’s academic offerings?
In addition to its tuition initiatives, Cooper Union is expanding its academic portfolio with the launch of a new computer science major, starting in Fall 2025. This program will offer a small cohort of about 27 students a highly specialized, interdisciplinary education in the heart of New York City. Cooper Union's distinctive blend of art, architecture, and engineering programs, combined with its close-knit community, positions it to remain at the forefront of innovative, interdisciplinary problem-solving, particularly in areas like sustainability and AI.

‍Looking ahead, Dalal emphasizes that while Cooper Union is not focused on increasing enrollment, it is committed to remaining responsive to the evolving needs of both New York City and the global community. The institution will continue to offer a tight-knit, collaborative educational experience while staying aligned with emerging fields and challenges.

- - - -

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

Research in graduate enrollment management is a growing area of interest.  In this episode we take a deep-dive in the latest research on graduate enrollment management from NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management.  Two lead researchers, Dr. Amanda Ostreko, Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Graduate Enrollment Management at The University of Kansas, and Dr. Ariana Balayan, Director of Enrollment & Marketing at Tufts University School of Medicine Graduate Programs, discuss their research on GEM, which will be published in the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Strategic Enrollment Management Quarterly next year.  This episode provides a preview of their research and delves into “what’s next” for the field of graduate enrollment management.

Guest Names:
Dr. Amanda Ostreko, Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Graduate Enrollment Management at The University of Kansas
Dr. Ariana Balayan, Director of Enrollment & Marketing at Tufts University School of Medicine Graduate Programs

Guest Socials: 
Dr. Amanda Ostreko - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-ostreko-0a920151/
Dr. Ariana Balayan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianabalayan/

Guest Bios: 
Dr. Amanda Ostreko is the Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Graduate Enrollment Management at the University of Kansas (KU). Dr. Ostreko oversees the Graduate Admissions office, providing strategic leadership for enrollment management efforts for domestic and international graduate applicants and students. She collaborates with multiple university offices to develop proactive and nimble strategies to adjust to changing environments and trends in recruitment and admission of graduate students, using best practices and technology solutions to manage search, inquiry and applicant pools, and collaborates with campus partners to facilitate retention and timely degree completion. Dr. Ostreko has held various roles at KU for over 20 years, including Director of Graduate Enrollment and Assistant Dean in the Office of Graduate Studies. She has served in leadership positions for KU’s Staff Senate, including President, and served on the NAGAP Governing board for 6 years, most recently as the Research Chair. Dr. Ostreko’s research and professional interests revolve around Graduate Enrollment Management (GEM) and higher education, with numerous publications and over 50 presentations. 

Dr. Ariana Balayan is the Director of Enrollment and Marketing for the Tufts University School of Medicine Graduate Programs. There, she oversees strategic initiatives and everyday operations of recruitment, admissions, and marketing for four competitive health science graduate programs, as well as manages the admissions and marketing team. Prior to Tufts, Ariana served in various leadership roles in graduate admissions at private and public institutions.  She is a thought leader in graduate enrollment management, specifically in strategic planning and model development. Ariana has been published in major academic journals, a preeminent textbook, and delivered many regional and national presentations. 

- - - -

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

Universities are grappling with the unique challenges and opportunities to launch programs tailored for adult education and professional studies, which have expanded in recent years.  In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Sparrow, Chief Academic Officer at the City University of New York School of Professional Studies shares insights into how CUNY SPS is redefining the educational landscape for adult learners through tailored programs, innovative technologies, and impactful partnerships. We’ll cover “what's next” for adult education and how these advancements are making a difference in students' lives.

Guest Name: Dr. Jennifer Sparrow, Chief Academic Officer, City University of New York School of Professional Studies

Guest Social:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sparrow-cunysps/

Guest Bio: Dr. Jennifer Sparrow, Chief Academic Officer at City University of New York School of Professional Studies, holds a BA in communications and an MA in English from Michigan State University, and a PhD in English literature from Wayne State University, with a special interest in writers from the Caribbean.  Her essays on Caribbean literature have appeared in edited volumes and scholarly journals include Wadabagei and MaComère. With Elizabeth Nuñez, she co-edited Stories from Blue Latitudes: Caribbean Women Writers at Home and Abroad (Seal/Avalon Press, 2005).  Before coming to CUNY SPS, Jennifer was a professor and an administrator at Medgar Evers College, CUNY.

- - - -

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 high level conversation we explore the future of graduate education at California State University Channel Islands. I'm joined by Dr. Richard Yao, President of Cal State Channel Islands, who offers actionable insights and discusses the exciting developments and strategic initiatives shaping their graduate programs. Dr. Yao looks to the future to highlight what's next for CSU Channel Islands and how the university is preparing students for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Guest Name: Dr. Richard Yao, President of California State University Channel Islands

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-yao-91b716116/

Guest Bio: Dr. Richard Yao has served as President of California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) since January 2021, first in an interim role after having served as Vice President for Student Affairs since June 2018, and then in his permanent capacity after a nationwide search and the CSU Board of Trustees’ appointment in January 2022.
President Yao earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Illinois University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. Prior to joining CSUCI, he resided in Las Vegas, Nevada for 23 years, where he was an active member of the higher education and mental health communities. Early in his clinical career, he worked with individuals with chronic and persistent mental illness as well as with transition-aged youth from the foster care system. Yao then focused primarily on forensic psychological assessments, with an emphasis on juvenile certification evaluations for the Juvenile Court and Public Defender’s Office, parental capacity evaluations for the Department of Family Services, and psychological disability evaluations for the Bureau of Disability Adjudication. Throughout this time, he also served as a full-time Psychology Lecturer with Nevada State College, which like CSUCI, opened its doors in 2002. He was eventually tasked with building out their Student Affairs programming and first served as the Director of Student Development before becoming their founding Dean of Students.
Since coming to CSUCI, President Yao has distinguished himself as a campus leader who is steady the face of challenges—including those that are life-threatening, such as the campus evacuations and wildfires he helped the University to navigate in his first semester; a mass shooting at a nearby club that same semester; and the global pandemic. Dr. Yao’s deep background in managing trauma and promoting mental health as well as his engaged and authentic presence have served the students and employees of the campus well in extraordinarily difficult times.
While serving as the Vice President for Student Affairs, President Yao increased collaborations between Academic and Student Affairs programs to improve student success and worked to ensure that co-curricular programming was in full alignment with the academic mission of the University. He worked to demonstrate the relationship between students’ utilization of support services and academic success markers, and in collaboration with the Chancellor’s Office, helped lead a system-wide pilot program to develop a Student Affairs data dashboard and examine student demographics in relation to utilization of support services.
As the educational, fiscal, and community leader now responsible for the youngest of the CSUs in its third decade of being, President Yao has been assertive from the start in establishing and enacting his priorities for the campus. Under his leadership and through his personal commitment of “honoring our past, building the future,” CSUCI has: recentralized the role and impact of Institutional Research as a critical partner for Enrollment Management, divisional leadership, individual researchers (faculty, staff, and student), and the Office of the President; created and implemented the University’s first Inclusive Excellence Action Plan, with responsibility institutionally owned for the first time in campus history for actively advancing the values of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility; undertook a multi-year, cross-divisional study of CSUCI students’ post-graduation outcomes, seeking to understand and improve them through an examination of high impact practices as potential predictors of improved salary earnings post-graduation; launched a three-phased Integrated Marketing Communication Plan, utilizing market research as the foundation of an emerging brand foundation; facilitated an unprecedented level of philanthropic support for CI with several highly impactful, multi-million dollar gifts received since 2021; received Board of Trustee approval for an aggressive Academic Master Plan that will bring new undergraduate and graduate programs into being over the coming decade, prioritizing regional industry needs and utilizing the campus’s first data-based, cost-model methodology for evaluating and prioritizing new and existing programs; actively partnered with the local Indigenous community to ensure strong tribal-campus relations and respectful cultural engagement through the creation of a President’s Chumash Advisory Council; and engaged the campus community in a President’s Operational Effectiveness Challenge, inviting faculty, staff, and administrators to form teams to study operational challenges, using Bolman & Deal’s Four-Frame analytical framework for understanding where “sand in the gears” is impeding effectiveness, and to identify actions for improvement.
Dr. Yao’s presidency is guided by his commitment to transparency, authentic engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility – all in service to CSUCI’s academic mission of placing students at the center of the educational experience and impactfully serving regional needs.

- - - -

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 of “Mastering the Next” we’re joined by Dr. Colin Potts, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Missouri University of Science and Technology. The episode delves into strategic planning at Missouri S&T, focusing on the growth of non-thesis Master's programs and research-based PhD and MS programs, exploring how these initiatives are shaping the future of graduate education.  Dr. Potts also discusses the broader implications of these strategies on graduate education at universities across the United States.

Guest Name: Dr. Colin Potts, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-potts-635222

Guest Bio: Dr. Colin Potts joined Missouri Science & Technology University on June 1, 2021, as provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs following a nearly 30-year career at Georgia Institute of Technology. He is responsible for overseeing all academic functions at Missouri S&T as well as academic success, enrollment management, institutional research and data management, international affairs, and Curtis Laws Wilson Library.
At Georgia Tech, Potts served as vice provost for undergraduate education from 2012 to 2021. In that role, he oversaw the offices and programs that govern the entire undergraduate education experience. He also served as a professor of interactive computing at Georgia Tech.
A native of London, Potts holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Sheffield University. Following his Ph.D., he worked as a software engineer and ergonomics consultant before joining Imperial College London’s department of computing. Later, he moved to the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp. in Austin, Texas, then joined Georgia Tech in 1992. His research over the past 25 years has spanned the fields of requirements engineering, software design methods, human-computer interaction and information privacy.

- - - -

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