The Higher Edge

Description

Welcome to “The Higher Edge” – a podcast for the brightest minds in higher education to hear from the change makers and rule breakers that are driving meaningful, impactful change for students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the country. Join award-winning education executive and your host, Brendan Aldrich, to hear from today’s industry leaders as they share the stories and experiences that are shaping forward-thinking institutions. From improving operations to supporting student success, this is where you’ll learn proven recommendations and actionable tips that will give you, “The Higher Edge”.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

26 episodes

CAIR Conference 2022: A Rising Tide for Institutional Research
We’re on the road again with the Higher Edge Mobile Podcasting Rig! This week, we’re headed to sunny California and the floor of the California Association of Institutional Research “CAIR” Conference 2022 in La Jolla, California. We caught up with some great folks from across the IR space and got their thoughts on the conference and their collaborations... and gained insight into some of the great sessions and projects in progress at their institutions. A huge thank you to all our guests who took the time to tell us a bit more about how they’re pursuing “The Higher Edge” in California! Join us as we meet: Donald Everhart (https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaever/), VP of CAIR (https://cair.org/) ( California Association for Institutional Research) & Senior Director Of Institutional Research at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts (https://www.amda.edu/) Oliver Zambrano (https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-zambrano/) , Research Analyst at Imperial Valley College (https://www.imperial.edu/) Dr. David Ulate (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddulate/) , Executive Director of Institutional Research & Planning at Foothill-De Anza Community College District (https://www.fhda.edu/) Nick Barbulesco (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-barbulesco-abba554/) , Business Intelligence Program Manager at UC Davis (https://www.ucdavis.edu/) Erica Jackson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-jackson-13777b19/) , Assistant Director of Institutional Analysis at UC Davis (https://www.ucdavis.edu/) Michael Le (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldatale/) , Director of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Reporting at Cal Poly Humboldt (https://www.humboldt.edu/) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: CAIR Conference 2022 (https://cair.org/cair2022/) Student Centered Funding Formula (https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/College-Finance-and-Facilities-Planning/Student-Centered-Funding-Formula) California Virtual Campus Online Education Initiative (https://cvc.edu/about-the-oei/) IR and Assessment Connections in Support of Data Literacy for Improvement (https://cair.org/news/cair-announces-first-2022-keynote-conference-speaker/) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7), or our website (https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts) or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
28min | Published on December 6, 2022
Venture Forward: Driving Technology Transformation
Pete Williams (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-williams-b306a990/) ’s journey as an Information Communication Sciences post-grad took him through multiple tech-heavy industries, but he knew his heart would bring him back to higher education. Now, as the Chief Information Officer for Butler University (https://www.butler.edu/) , Pete is spearheading innovation through servant leadership. He shares what he’s learned managing Butler’s venture fund to gas pedal innovation and how he helps give others the Higher Edge through mentoring. Join us as we discuss: How data impacts and serves organizations (7:51) ClearScholar’s development as a value proposition for students (19:24) Why higher ed CIOs are in the change business (31:03) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Pete Williams (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-williams-b306a990/) Butler University (https://www.butler.edu/) pete@thehigheredge.com ClearScholar To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7), or our website (https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts) or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
29min | Published on November 22, 2022
EDUCAUSE 2022: Taking a Stroll Down Startup Alley
Technology and new platforms are one of the most exciting parts of any convention, and Educause 2022 was no different. In our second episode of coverage, direct from the Educause show floor, we take a stroll down Startup Alley, and meet a fantastic cast of talented characters that each have a platform you should know about for your institution. From engaging students more deeply to eliminating grading biases — these are just some of the glimpses of the Higher Ed future we’ll hear from today. Join us as stop by the booths for: Ribbon Education (https://www.ribbonedu.com/) Read.AI (https://www.read.ai/) Public Insight (https://publicinsight.io/) Pressbooks (https://pressbooks.com/) Level.io (https://level.io/) Wildflower Education (https://www.wildflower.education/) Interact123 (https://www.interact123.com/) Gyan.AI (https://www.gyanai.com/) Rah Rah (https://www.rahrahlife.com/) Kritik (https://www.kritik.io/) We had a great time chatting with all of this episode’s interviewees and cannot thank them enough for the time they gave us to share their insights and platforms! To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7), or our website (https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts) or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
43min | Published on November 15, 2022
EDUCAUSE 2022: The Higher Education Partnerships Episode
Did you miss out on Educause 2022? Fear not! We saddled up our mobile podcast rig and took it to the floor of the show where we went in search of some of the greatest partnerships in higher education. Join us as we bring you a trio of success stories, direct from the floor of the conference. We’ll hear from: Ken Connelly (https://it.uni.edu/staff/ken-connelly#:~:text=Ken%20Connelly%20is%20a%20UNI,Academic%20Computing%20Services%20in%201983) and Zach Meyers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyjmeyers/) about how Breakpoint Labs has helped the University of Northern Iowa better secure their campus both physically and digitally (2:12) Troy Burnett (https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-burnett-b54827a/) and Deborah Lee (https://www.cui.edu/academicprograms/provost/institutional-research-assessment) and their partnership of engaging more students sustainably across their institution via the deployment of Pathify at Concordia University - Irvine (11:05) Joshua Sine (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuasine/) and Jason Hill (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhill23/) on their collaboration using Qualtrics to help Utah Valley University monitor university health and cleanliness (22:45) We had a great time interviewing these folks and certainly hope they inspire you to find the Higher Edge at your institution with their innovations. To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7), or our website (https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts) or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
33min | Published on November 8, 2022
People, Puppies, and the Pandemic: A Conversation with Phill Miller
Learning management systems (LMS) are important vehicles for data delivery and instruction in higher education. But can also be expensive software platforms that may not give institutions the flexibility and value to highlight their uniqueness. Phill Miller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillmiller/), Managing Director at Open LMS (https://www.openlms.net/), shares how open-source platforms help cultivate collaboration to empower academic institutions around the world with a powerful, yet cost-effective, LMS solution that's giving them... The Higher Edge. Join us as we discuss: What is open source in the world of the LMS? (2:48) The appeal of open source LMS systems for institutions (9:47) Supporting community and corporate collaboration for institutions (20:15) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Phill Miller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillmiller/) Open LMS (https://www.openlms.net/) phillip.miller@openlms.net EDUCAUSE Annual Conference (https://www.educause.edu/) The eLearn Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-elearn-podcast/id1526901059) eLearn Magazine (https://www.elearnmagazine.com/) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7), or our website (https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts) or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
27min | Published on November 1, 2022
Inverting the Traditional Fundraising Pyramid
Historically, institutional development in higher education has always revolved primarily around meeting fundraising goals. But modern Development and Advancement Services teams at colleges and universities around the country are inverting the traditional fundraising pyramid. Teresa Goddard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-goddard-0227435/) , Director of Development Services at Depauw University (https://www.depauw.edu/) , shares how focusing on and strengthening the relationships between the institution, prospective donors,and the community in which they serve is transforming traditional fundraising in exciting ways. Join us as we discuss: Inverting the pyramid of traditional fundraising (6:02) The importance of engagement and community to advancement (9:54) Opportunities for philanthropic engagement in higher education (13:04) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Teresa Goddard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-goddard-0227435/) - Depauw University (https://www.depauw.edu/alumni/giving/) - teresa@thehigheredge.com (mailto:teresa@thehigheredge.com) - The Monon Bell Classic (https://www.depauw.edu/alumni/go/monon/) - Old Gold Weekend (https://www.depauw.edu/alumni/go/old-gold/) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7), or our website (https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts) or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
21min | Published on October 25, 2022
Chief Data Officers: Giving Context to the Language of Data ft. Olivia Kew-Fickus
With data becoming increasingly important to people in many roles, the Chief Data Officer has become an exciting new position that’s replicating quickly throughout higher education. The CDO is tasked with empowering institutions by providing key insights and critical context that help make sense of this vast array of information. Olivia Kew-Fickus (https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-kew-fickus-53aa3023/), Chief Data Officer and Executive Director, Data & Strategic Analytics at Vanderbilt University (https://www.linkedin.com/school/vanderbilt-university/), shares how her experience working at the boundaries of different cultures has helped her advance the strategic use of data within the institution. Join us as we discuss: Carving the role of CDO from a blank slate (7:24) How early work in Ukraine has shaped her approach as a Chief Data Officer (14:09) How studies in languages and liberal arts helps with understanding data (18:52) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Vanderbilt University: (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/ ) Vanderbilt and MRNA Research: (https://news.vanderbilt.edu/tag/covid-19-research/ ) and (https://news.vanderbilt.edu/vanderbilt-responds-to-covid-19/ ) and (https://www.vumc.org/medicine-public-health/covid-19-research ) Timothy Snyder's book, "Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin": (https://www.timothysnyder.org/books/bloodlands) Continue the conversation: olivia@thehigheredge.com And check out these additional resources: 2022 EDUCUASE Horizon Report for Data & Analytics: (https://library.educause.edu/resources/2022/7/2022-educause-horizon-report-data-and-analytics-edition ) Higher Education Strategic Planners Association: (https://hespa.ac.uk/ ) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
32min | Published on October 18, 2022
National Student Clearinghouse: Inside Higher Education’s Data Collaborative ft. Roberta Hyland
The National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) is a mission-driven organization that drives collaboration amongst institutions to support students across the country. As a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization, the NSC plays a key role in supporting these institutions that enroll over 97% of higher education students and more than 70% the nation’s high-school students. Roberta Hyland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberta-hyland-7825bb5/), Chief Data Officer at National Student Clearinghouse, takes us inside to share how she and her team are working to give school administrations The Higher Edge. Join us as we discuss: The NSC’s goals as a mission-driven nonprofit (3:19) Helping school administrations understand their unique data (9:49) Using data to aid students in natural disasters (20:19) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Hyland@studentclearinghouse.org National Student Clearinghouse - (https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/) NSC Research Center - https://nscresearchcenter.org/ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
31min | Published on October 11, 2022
Empowering Data-Informed Decisions for Students in the U.S. ft. Erin Velez
There are so many organizations that work to support higher education that *aren't* colleges and universities, such as RTI International, and the work they do to help empower data-informed decisions for students. From the Department of Education's College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ ) to preparing for the College Transparency Act (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/839) currently going through the U.S. Congress, their work actively supports students across the country. Erin Velez (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-velez-82b11543/), Director of Education Research at RTI International (https://www.rti.org/), shares how she and the team at RTI are working to give students the higher edge when choosing a college or university. Join us as we discuss: RTI’s impartial role in higher education transparency policies (3:49) What the College Transparency Act means for student-level data networks (SLDN) (10:49) Prepping for the launch of a Federal SLDN (15:30) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast Email address: evelez@rti.org (mailto:evelez@rti.org) RTI International - https://www.rti.org/ College Transparency Act - https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/839 Department of Education College Scorecard - https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
23min | Published on October 4, 2022
From Higher Education to Analytics Startup: Solving The Right Problem ft. Eric Spear
The demand for better analytics solutions is peaking at a time when many institutions are struggling to keep up. What role do collaboration and on-the-ground experience play in accelerating higher education analytics? Eric Spear (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-spear-84158b100/), President of Precision Campus (https://precisioncampus.com/), tells us about his journey from working in higher education to founding a growing reporting and analytics company dedicated to advancing institutional research capabilities. Join us as we discuss: - Why vendor solutions in higher education are not plug-and-play (3:50) - The collaborative nature of working in higher education (11:23) - Overcoming challenges in institutional analytics (19:01) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: -eric.spear@precisioncampus.com - PrecisionCampus.com To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
24min | Published on September 27, 2022

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