As enrollments tighten and institutional pressure mounts, the work of student success professionals has never been more essential. EAB’s LaToya White sits down with student affairs leaders from Skidmore College and Lone Star College to examine the realities of staff burnout, capacity constraints, and misaligned institutional priorities. Together, they share practical insights for higher ed leaders looking to better support this workforce and build a stronger, more sustainable talent pipeline.

EAB’s Paul Gunther sits down with University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis to reflect on the first year of the UCA Commitment, an ambitious effort to create a debt-free pathway to a college degree for eligible students across the state. President Davis shares what’s working, what’s been harder than expected, and the lessons his team has learned since launch. The conversation offers practical insights for university leaders looking to improve affordability while navigating other complex institutional challenges.

This week on Office Hours with EAB, EAB’s Val Fox and Todd Heilman unpack the adult learner mindset using insights from EAB’s latest adult learner survey. They discuss how increased cost sensitivity and evolving college search patterns are reshaping how adult learners make decisions. The conversation also offers practical insights for enrollment leaders looking to optimize their website and navigate federal policy changes.

EAB’s Beth Donaldson is joined by Sydney Mathes of Service to School to explore what authentic institutional commitment to military-connected students really looks like. They discuss common misconceptions, the importance of wraparound services, and why admissions should be viewed as the starting line—not the finish line—for military student success. The conversation closes with practical advice for university leaders looking to serve this important population more effectively.

EAB’s Ed Venit sits down with Brian Reed from the University of Montana to discuss how his team is supporting students who started college but left before completing a bachelor’s degree. Dr. Reed shares how Montana retroactively awards associate degrees where possible, giving former students a meaningful credential that can improve their earning potential and, in many cases, motivate them to return and finish their studies. Ed and Brian also offer practical guidance for campus leaders seeking to build more effective pathways to completion.

This week on Office Hours with EAB, we sit down with the National Education Opportunity Network (NEON) to discuss the innovative work they’re doing to expand college access for students in Title I high schools. NEON’s model brings college-credit courses and academic support directly into classrooms through a coordinated team of university faculty, teaching fellows, and high school educators. We explore how this approach strengthens the transition to college, boosts enrollment and persistence, and why a growing number of universities are joining the effort.

Wichita State University President Richard Muma joins EAB’s Sally Amoruso to share how the university’s deep partnerships with private industry define the student experience and fuel regional growth. From embedding students with local companies on day one to building an innovation campus that anchors nearly 50 businesses, Wichita State is redefining what it means to be a public research university. Dr. Muma discusses how this “applied learning” model not only prepares students for the workforce but also makes the city of Wichita a hub for talent, innovation, and opportunity.

EAB’s Amy Luitjens and Brett Schraeder discuss the end of Grad PLUS loans and the new cap on Federal Direct loans. The two break down what these shifts mean for student borrowing. They also share practical tips for graduate enrollment leaders and financial aid strategists on how to prepare for the changes ahead.

EAB’s Meghan Ondrish and JP Lafors review ways that AI-enabled search is reshaping the way digital teams create and structure content for .edu websites. Meghan and JP discuss how institutions should adapt search engine optimization to ensure their web content remains visible and prominent as search behaviors evolve. The two also explain the metrics that matter most when assessing how prospective applicants interact with your institution online.

EAB’s Beth Donaldson and Todd Heilman examine ways that graduate admissions leaders are adjusting to the steep drop in foreign enrollments. The two suggest strategies designed to strengthen domestic student recruitment, differentiate your institution from competitors, and contend with the giants of online graduate education.