Kate Colbert Explores a New Era for Higher Ed

Our guest for this week’s episode is Kate Colbert, a marketing consultant and author of the recently released book, Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era for Higher Education.

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Key Takeaways

• The Purpose of Commencement: Commencement serves as both a love letter to higher education and a call to action for innovation, offering insights from over 125 leaders in the field.
• Themes of Transformation: The book tackles topics like student-centered learning, the future of online education, institutional survival strategies, and the need for higher ed to evolve beyond traditional practices.
• Opportunities for Change: Higher ed leaders are encouraged to embrace bold strategies, like engaging underserved populations, implementing loyalty programs, and creating career-ready educational pathways.
• A Resource for Every Higher Ed Professional: Whether you’re a graduate student, faculty member, or administrator, Commencement provides actionable insights, inspiring solutions, and a roadmap for navigating the future.
• Collaboration is Key: The episode emphasizes the power of higher education professionals working together to drive systemic change and reimagine the student experience.

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Episode Summary

What Inspired Kate Colbert to Write Commencement?

Kate shares the origin story of Commencement, which emerged from conversations on the Ed Up Experience Podcast. After 125 interviews with college and university presidents, Kate and her co-author, Dr. Joe Sallustio, identified recurring themes and innovative ideas. The result is a 558-page book that captures the transformative potential of higher education, blending optimism with a realistic critique of its challenges.

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What Can Readers Expect from the Book?

Unlike academic texts or dry reports, Commencement is an engaging read filled with thought-provoking pull quotes, quizzes, and real-world examples. It highlights a spectrum of perspectives, from presidents advocating for retail-like student experiences to those emphasizing the traditional educational ethos. Kate and Joe challenge readers to rethink how institutions operate and who they serve, providing concrete examples of innovative practices.

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Why is Now the Right Time for This Conversation?

Higher education is at a crossroads, facing enrollment declines, public skepticism, and shifting learner demographics. Kate emphasizes that institutions can no longer afford to operate as they did in the past. From addressing the "demographic cliff" to integrating technology and supporting lifelong learners, higher ed must evolve to remain relevant.

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What Are Some Noteworthy Innovations Shared in the Book?

• Crypto-Backed Tuition Models: Institutions like GCAS College Dublin are exploring cryptocurrency to fund tuition and provide graduates with a stake in the school’s future.
• Future-Proof Programs: Foundry College focuses on training students for jobs unlikely to be replaced by automation, ensuring long-term career stability.
• Lifelong Learning Loyalty Programs: Kate envisions a future where colleges create loyalty programs, akin to Marriott Rewards, to keep alumni engaged and returning for further education.

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What Makes Higher Ed Worth Fighting For?

Despite its challenges, Kate believes in the transformative power of higher education. Her passion stems from her own journey as a student, faculty member, and consultant, as well as her belief in the industry’s potential to uplift individuals and communities. Commencement is her way of giving back, providing tools for professionals to drive meaningful change.

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About the Enrollify Podcast Network 

The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. 

Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Corynn Myers, Dustin Ramsdell, Terry Flannery, Jaime Gleason and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!