Want more AI? Register for the AI Engage Summit - online edition | Oct 29-30, 2024

Save Your Spot

Higher Ed Pulse

Dive into the weekly spotlight on higher education marketing and enrollment. It’s your pulse on what's new and noteworthy.

People in this episode

Interviewee

Howard Purcell

Howard Purcell, OD ‘84, FAAO was named the 13th president of New England College of Optometry in July of 2018. Dr. Purcell brings to the position a wealth of experience in private practice, academia, and the optometric industry. He is well versed in evolving trends and technologies in healthcare and optometry in particular and brings this expertise to the presidency. Prior to his appointment as President, Dr. Purcell served as the Senior Vice President, Customer Development for Essilor of America. He was part of the Essilor team for 10 years. Prior to joining Essilor he spent 13 years as Senior Director of Professional Affairs for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. Dr. Purcell is a graduate of NECO, Class of 1984, and has long been involved in the school through presenting continuing education, supporting student development, and serving on the Board of Trustees. Dr. Purcell began his optometric career by participating in a group optometric practice for eleven years with his father, NECO alumnus Saul Purcell, OD ’54, in Miami Beach, FL. Beginning in June 1991, Dr. Purcell joined the faculty of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. During his career at the college, he was a principal in the development of the Department of Cornea and Contact Lenses. As Associate Professor, Dr. Purcell was responsible for both the didactic and clinical components of the program. He later reached the rank of Deputy Dean of the college. Dr. Purcell is a Diplomate in the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Academy of Optometry. His energetic and enthusiastic style has made Dr. Purcell a popular lecturer internationally. Dr. Purcell’s unique philosophies and practices have often attracted the media to focus attention on current optometric issues and research in the industry.

Interviewee

Kevin Cavanagh

Kevin Cavanagh has served the higher education industry for 28 years and stands as a distinguished figure known for navigating the evolving landscape of institutional viability, mergers and acquisitions, and enrollment management. With strategic acumen, Kevin has served as the Chief Enrollment Officer at five institutions, including Manhattan College, Iona University, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, The College of New Rochelle, and Bloomfield College. With a proven track record as an executive leader, Kevin has presented career insights on higher education mergers and acquisitions at conferences such as the Council of Independent Colleges and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s Annual Meeting. His emphasis on strategic partnerships, institutional mission, and commitment to students, faculty, and staff underscores his dedication to shaping the future of higher education. Uniquely positioned as the orchestrator of effective mergers and acquisitions, Kevin led two private institutions—The College of New Rochelle and Bloomfield College—through successful transformative processes. His work culminated in New Rochelle's teach-out with Mercy University and Bloomfield's merger with Montclair State University. Currently advising university boards and presidents, Kevin is a go-to authority for issues related to higher education mergers and institutional sustainability. Additionally, his strategic and crisis communication skills have played a pivotal role in developing effective and timely communications to internal and external constituents, including regulatory, governmental, and banking partners. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manhattan College, where he earned the distinction of Phi Beta Kappa, and an MBA from Manhattan College. With a commitment to students, faculty, and staff, Kevin envisions a higher education landscape where institutions thrive through strategic alliances, upholding their missions, and championing sustainability.

Interviewee

Kevin Obomanu

Kevin Obomanu is a globetrotter with a knack for news and social equality. A dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, Kevin has lived in four countries and several parts of the USA, picking up something new about the people he encounters, either about the community he’s in or more about himself. For over five years, after graduating from Columbia with a degree in television, he was the Program Coordinator for Columbia Links, a high school news literacy program housed in Columbia’s journalism department. This program uses multimedia journalism to improve writing and communications skills while instilling confidence and critical thinking. Columbia Links reaches primarily high schools a part of Chicago Public Schools, specifically the schools that are underperforming. Majority of the students in this program were students of color. Kevin was previously the Coordinator of International Affairs (currently called International Student and Scholar Services, ISSS) at Columbia College Chicago where he has the pleasure of working with students from 60+ countries across the globe and given the chance to execute his intercultural communication skills and provide a safe, engaging space for international students. Recently, he was an International Admissions Officer at the college, where he can help students find the best fit for their future endeavors. He returned to his previous role as Coordinator of ISSS, then left in 2019 to be a part of the Unibuddy family. In Kevin’s spare time, he hosts people via Couchsurfing.org from many corners on earth. He is also a casual unofficial analyst of reality television, most notable Real Housewives of Atlanta and Married to Medicine. You can usually find him listening to CNN, reading the New York Times or baking cookies.

Weekly ideas that make you smarter

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Subscribe
cancel

Search podcasts, blog posts, people