About the Episode
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About the Episode:
In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU, Dustin speaks with Ana Homayoun, executive functioning expert, author, and founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting and Luminaria Learning. Ana has spent 25 years helping students develop the organization, planning, and adaptability skills they need to thrive in school, work, and life. She explains why higher ed institutions must start teaching executive functioning skills, how this can boost retention and student well-being, and why these abilities are just as critical as technical knowledge for career success.
What are executive functioning skills, and why do they matter in higher ed?
Executive functioning skills are the building blocks of how we learn, work, and connect. Ana Homayoun breaks it down simply: these are the mental processes that allow us to plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. Core elements include inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. While these skills are often linked to academic performance, Ana emphasizes their role in relationships, mental health, and economic mobility.
In higher ed, these skills directly impact a student’s ability to attend class consistently, manage their workload, and seek help when needed. Yet, they’re rarely taught explicitly. Ana advocates that we stop treating organization and time management as innate traits and instead begin teaching them intentionally—especially since post-pandemic students are struggling more than ever.
How do executive functioning skills tie into student belonging and retention?
Ana sees executive functioning as a student belonging issue. When students lack the skills to navigate their schedules, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks, they often spiral into feelings of failure and isolation. This can lead to disengagement and ultimately attrition. By contrast, when students gain these skills, they feel empowered and in control—two feelings that fuel retention.
She shares a striking story about a college sophomore on academic probation whose transformation hinged not on tutoring or therapy, but learning how to manage his day-to-day life. Within nine months, the student turned around his performance—and his outlook. For higher ed leaders, Ana’s message is clear: when students feel capable, they stick around. And when they leave college prepared for the real world, they become engaged, grateful alumni.
What should colleges do to start teaching executive functioning skills?
According to Ana, the implementation doesn’t need to be complex or expensive. Her nonprofit, Luminaria Learning, is already piloting curriculum for middle school, high school, and now college students. Their approach is simple: talk to faculty, offer workshops, and build skills into orientation or first-year programs. The impact is exponential. Students are more likely to engage with campus life, persist through challenges, and take “healthy risks” like internships or leadership roles.
Faculty and staff benefit, too. With students coming into classrooms less prepared to manage themselves, educators often find themselves unintentionally serving as life coaches. Providing everyone with a common language and strategy around executive functioning lightens the load for everyone.
Can AI support the development of executive functioning skills?
This is where Ana draws a firm line. While AI tools can help with scheduling or email prioritization, she warns against outsourcing executive functioning entirely. These skills are deeply connected to emotional regulation, social interaction, and resilience. Overreliance on AI could actually deepen isolation—especially in a time when loneliness among students is at crisis levels.
Instead, she recommends using AI as a support—not a substitute. For example, AI might help a student break down a project timeline, but the student still needs to practice decision-making and prioritization to grow. It’s about balance, not delegation.
What’s next for Ana and this movement?
Ana’s team is currently working with colleges to build tailored executive functioning curricula. Their early work involves on-site visits, faculty presentations, and co-created support systems. Interest from higher ed is growing—especially from institutions noticing that traditional wellness programs are hitting their limits.
Ana’s parting message is an invitation: this work is scalable, impactful, and overdue. Whether you’re a student affairs leader, faculty member, or president, integrating executive functioning into the student experience can transform lives—both on campus and far beyond.
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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