EAB’s Wenie Lado is joined by Tufts university professor and author, Natasha Warikoo. The two discuss Natasha’s new book, “Is Affirmative Action Fair? The Myth of Equity in College Admissions,” as well as the potential impacts of the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the legitimacy of race-conscious admissions. Natasha and Wenie examine the arguments for and against affirmative action and offer recommendations on what university leaders can and should be doing to diversify their enrollments regardless of how the Supreme Court rules.

EAB’s Michael Fischer and Jon Barnhart guide listeners through the process of evaluating, prioritizing, and gaining leadership buy in on making their institution into a carbon net zero enterprise. The two explain how to assess costs and ROI on energy efficiency investments and how to engage the broader campus community in these efforts. Finally, they offer tips on how to sustain and build on early momentum as institutional leaders and priorities shift over time.

EAB’s Kevin Shriner and Camilla Arias discuss the elements of an effective graduate enrollment plan. The discussion covers a range of issues including the importance of market research, setting appropriate goals, staffing, and securing buy in from campus stakeholders. Kevin and Camilla also explore strengths and weaknesses of different course modalities and offer tips on finding and engaging today’s adult learners.

EAB’s Tara Zirkel is joined by Pueblo Community College VP of Student Success, Dr. Heather Speed, to examine changes Pueblo made to boost enrollment heading into the fall semester. Leadership began by listening to staff to identify and resolve disconnects between departments, which had been limiting their ability to market and fill open courses. They also provided more hands-on training for faculty and students to spur wider adoption of the Navigate student success platform and improve communication during the registration process. In the end, the institution spurred enrollment growth by pairing the right technology with stronger collaboration and process improvements.

EAB’s Brooke Thayer joins Matt Mustard to talk about how schools are managing student mental health crises. The two urge university leaders to reexamine everything from student outreach to how counseling centers are staffed to whether campus security is using the right de-escalation techniques. Matt and Brooke also discuss the importance of developing differentiated response models to keep students safe and supported while leading with empathy.

Kent State University’s Ted McKown joins EAB’s Allison Akalonu and Matt Sheldon to explore better ways to engage, recruit, and support incoming transfer students. The three urge schools to invest in transfer advisors, website improvements, and auxiliary services designed to help transfer students build engagement with staff and other students even before they arrive on your campus. Finally, they identify ways to collaborate more effectively with influencers at other institutions in your area who can have an outsized impact on steering right-fit students to your school.

EAB’s Madeleine Rhyneer and Ed Venit discuss the impact of the staffing crisis on student advising. The two urge student success leaders to use the current crisis as an impetus to adopt a more technology-forward approach to strengthen early warning systems and use time devoted to one-on-one student advising sessions to greater effect. Ed and Madeleine also offer a preview of CONNECTED22, the premier student success conference happening in Orlando this November.

University of Rochester Dean of Admissions, Robert Alexander, joins EAB’s Madeleine Rhyneer to discuss the impact of staffing challenges on admissions teams. Madeleine and Rob point out the dangers to institutions that ignore staff demands for greater flexibility. They also share ways to balance upward pressure on compensation with the need to focus on the core functions your teams have the capacity to execute.

EAB recently acquired Concourse Global and announced an expansion of the Greenlight Match program the two companies have been collaborating on for the past year. Greenlight Match flips the script on the traditional college application process by enabling underserved students to connect with and receive offers of admission and financial aid from participating local colleges—without completing a formal application. This process typically provides these students multiple offers early in the college application process, which boosts their confidence and helps them plan their finances. Concourse founder Joe Morrison joins EAB’s Jonathan April to discuss this new phase of their work.

In an interview that originally aired in April 2022, Inside Higher Ed Editor Scott Jaschik highlights the news stories he believes will have an outsized impact on higher education in the months and years to come. Jaschik is joined on the podcast by Carla Hickman, whose take on these issues is informed by her role as head of EAB’s Research division. The two explore issues ranging from the massive challenges facing community colleges to the game-changing legal fight over affirmative action in admissions.