About the Episode
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About the Episode:
In this episode, Scott Marshall, President & CEO of Semester at Sea, joins the show to discuss the transformative power of study abroad. Scott shares his personal journey from faculty member to leading one of the most unique global education programs, including navigating the challenges of the pandemic. He also dives into the importance of experiential learning, the role of study abroad in student success, and why higher ed leaders should invest more in global education. If you’re passionate about innovative learning experiences, this episode is for you!
Key Takeaways
- Experiential Learning is Non-Negotiable: Students retain more and grow faster through immersive, comparative, international experiences.
- Study Abroad is a Retention Strategy: Students who study abroad graduate faster, with higher GPAs and more credits—making it a revenue-generating asset, not a cost center.
- Crisis Reveals Character: Scott’s leadership journey highlights how effective leaders show up when things go sideways—and why flexibility is Semester at Sea’s “F-word.”
- Innovation Needs Intentionality: Semester at Sea is piloting programs like AI literacy certificates and dialogue facilitation to enrich student learning outside the classroom.
- Hybrid Learning + High-Impact Travel = Future-Proof Education: The best of both worlds is possible—and students are demanding it.
- Higher Ed’s Purpose Remains Strong: Despite skepticism, the transformational potential of college—especially when experience is embedded—is more valuable than ever.
What is Semester at Sea, and how does it work?
Semester at Sea is a 105-day global study abroad experience where students live and learn on a ship while visiting 8–10 countries. Students take 12–15 credit hours through Colorado State University, with courses ranging from oceanography to political science. Roughly half of their time is spent on board in class, and the other half in-port experiencing local cultures through faculty-led field classes or independent exploration. Students come from 150–180 institutions per voyage.
How did Scott Marshall get involved with Semester at Sea?
Scott began his career in business school academia before taking a sabbatical to teach aboard a Semester at Sea voyage in 2017—accompanied by his wife and two sons. The experience led him to join the Institute for Shipboard Education later that year. In January 2020, just months before COVID-19 shut down global travel, Scott stepped into the role of President and CEO.
How did Semester at Sea survive the pandemic?
The pandemic forced the cancellation of three voyages, which meant the loss of over a year and a half of revenue. With 90% of revenue tied to tuition, room, and board—and 73% of fixed costs allocated to the ship—Scott had to make difficult leadership decisions including layoffs and pay cuts. This crisis prompted deep self-reflection, a reevaluation of the organization’s purpose, and eventually, the launch of innovative programming and new leadership models.
What inspired Scott to launch a podcast?
Scott's podcast, As Unexpected, was born out of his own leadership journey during the pandemic and a desire to spotlight Semester at Sea alumni. His premise: leadership is about how we show up when things go wrong, and it’s not just about titles—everyone has leadership capacity. The show shares stories from alumni who’ve faced the unexpected and grown through it.
Why is experiential learning more essential now than ever?
Scott argues that students must get outside their “small world” to truly understand the bigger one. Semester at Sea offers a structured way to do this through comparative, international, and immersive learning. Beyond the classroom, students gain skills in adaptability, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding—qualities employers and society increasingly value.
What new initiatives is Semester at Sea exploring?
To complement academic credit, Semester at Sea has added wraparound programs like constructive dialogue facilitation and is piloting an AI literacy certificate for fall 2025. These offerings help students build marketable skills, aligning with industry demands and student expectations while reinforcing the mission of global citizenship.
How can higher ed leaders better support study abroad?
Scott challenges institutions to stop viewing study abroad as a cost center and start seeing it as a strategic investment. The data supports it: students who study abroad are retained better, graduate faster, and perform at higher levels. He calls on study abroad offices to be empowered as innovation and revenue-generating hubs within institutions.
About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
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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!
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Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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