TransferTALK podcast

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Send us a text Description: In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje welcomes Heath Einstein , Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Texas Christian University , for a candid conversation on the shifting world of college admissions. Jay and Heath cover a wide range of topics: TCU’s student-centered strategic plan The post-NACAC admissions landscape Building partnerships across campus silos And the growing role of AI in student communication, enrollment, and guidance They also reflect on their early radio days, their hopes for smarter, more human enrollment tools like DegreeSight , and the power of culture and legacy in attracting the right students. If you're a higher ed leader navigating change — or just someone who appreciates when enrollment talk meets radio nostalgia — this one's for you. If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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"Small Colleges, Big Shifts: Reinventing Relevance in a Rapid World" Ep 16 41:31

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Send us a text In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje is joined by Scott Novak , entrepreneur, consultant, and unapologetic advocate for small colleges. Together, they tackle the hard truths facing small institutions: outdated systems, shrinking budgets, rising student expectations — and the fierce resistance to change that keeps many from moving forward. You’ll hear Scott’s take on: How small colleges can modernize without losing their unique charm Why transfer, graduate, and online students are the key to long-term sustainability What a centralized resource hub for small colleges could look like How leadership, communication, and strategic use of tech make or break transformation If you care about innovation in higher ed — or just love a good “scrappy college beats the odds” story — this episode is for you. 🎧 Available now on all platforms. #TransferTALK #SmallColleges #HigherEdInnovation #TransferStudents #EnrollmentStrategy If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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So, You Think You’re Transfer Friendly? Episode 15 41:38

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Send us a text In this episode of TransferTALK , Jay Fedje sits down with Jon Endicott , Dean of Student Services at West Hills College Coalinga , to get real about what it means to be truly transfer-friendly. With experience in both Private higher ed and the California community college system, Jon shares insights on serving non-traditional students, adult learners, and first-gen students—all while balancing institutional flexibility with academic integrity. Together, Jay and Jon unpack: Why “two-year degree” timelines rarely reflect reality The hidden challenges of online learning and free tuition models How institutions can evolve their “academic product” to match modern learners What higher ed could learn from restaurant menus (yes, we said it again) If you're ready to stop saying you’re transfer-friendly and start proving it, this one’s for you. 🔗 Featuring: Jay Fedje – Host of TransferTALK, VP at DegreeSight Jon Endicott – Dean of Student Services, West Hills College Coalinga If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Student Success is Everything!: Episode 14 32:16

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Send us a text Welcome back to TransferTALK, the podcast where we dive deep into all things transfer and higher ed—without putting you to sleep! Today’s guest is someone who knows the transfer game inside and out. He’s been on both sides of the higher ed fence—faculty, administrator, recruiter—you name it, he’s done it. I’m talking about Martin Smith, who’s leading the charge as the Assistant Vice President of Admissions at the University of South Florida, making sure transfer and non-traditional students don’t just get in, but thrive. We’re covering a lot in this episode—why Florida has some of the most unique (and let’s be honest, sometimes complicated) transfer rules, what actually matters when measuring student success, and how USF is making a massive campus feel like home for transfers. Oh, and we even get into athletics, campus life, and whether your high school GPA still haunts you as a transfer student. Spoiler alert: it might. So grab a coffee, a notebook, or just settle in—this is one you don’t want to miss. Let’s get into it!" https://www.degreesight.com https://www.usf.edu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-smith-38b114a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayfedje/ If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Rewiring the System: Fixing Transfer Credit at UMass Amherst with Dr. Patrick Sullivan - Episode 13 36:12

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Send us a text Title : “Rewiring the System: Fixing Transfer Credit at UMass Amherst with Dr. Patrick Sullivan” Description : In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Dr. Patrick Sullivan , University Registrar at UMass Amherst, to explore what it really takes to fix an archaic transfer credit system at a major public institution. Together, they cover: How Patrick tackled broken processes and undocumented policies Lessons learned from visiting other institutions like UNLV and Marquette The importance of building internal buy-in and managing change How tools like DegreeSight’s Inbound helped streamline operations and empower faculty Why flexibility, documentation, and transparency are essential for modern registrars It’s a conversation packed with practical insights, dry humor, and a shared belief that the work of registrars and admissions leaders matters now more than ever. Whether you're a transfer pro or just transfer-curious, this one's for you. 🎧 Listen in and learn what it really means to build something better—from the ground up. If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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From Calvinball to Compliance: Making AI Work for Higher Ed: Episode 12 46:47

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Send us a text Artificial intelligence is reshaping higher ed faster than most campuses can keep up. In part two of this multi-part transferTALK series, Jay Fedje sits down again with AI ethicist and policy expert Dr. David Hatami from EduPolicy.ai to unpack where AI is taking us next. They dive into: Harvard’s international student visa crisis and AI’s potential role in virtual education The evolution of faculty resistance and student readiness for AI integration The fine balance between innovation and governance in AI policy EduPolicy.ai’s AI-powered policy generator tool for higher ed compliance And plenty of practical insights for academic leaders navigating this rapidly shifting landscape. Whether you’re a president, provost, dean, or enrollment leader — this conversation is packed with insights that every campus cabinet needs to hear. Brought to you by DegreeSight , your partner in simplifying credit mobility, transfer pathways, and student success. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and get ready to rethink the future of higher ed. If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Beyond the Brochure: What Students Really Need from Us: Episode 11 36:16

for 20 weeks siden36:16

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Send us a text In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Dr. Gavin Hamms, seasoned Enrollment Strategist, Visionary, and Consultant. Together, they dive into the complex and evolving challenges of higher education enrollment, retention, and the future of student success. You’ll hear Gavin’s fresh takes on: The need to reimagine education for non-traditional learners How HBCUs are navigating the shifting DEI landscape What "qualitative growth" in student populations really looks like Why enrollment strategy has to go beyond headcount What’s next in higher ed—and what should be next This conversation is loaded with insight, wit, and real-world advice for enrollment leaders, registrars, and anyone working to move the higher ed mission forward. 🔗 Connect with Gavin on LinkedIn: Gavin Hamms 🎙️ Subscribe and catch all episodes at: TransferTALK on Spotify If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Demystifying Credit Mobility: Transfer Support through Inbound Ep 10 28:29

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Send us a text Episode 10 – Demystifying Credit Mobility: Transfer Support through Inbound with Michelle Stipp In this episode of TransferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Michelle Stipp , Associate Vice President of Financial Aid and Enrollment Services at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. With over 20 years of experience in admissions and financial aid, Michelle has a front-row seat to the evolving challenges—and opportunities—facing today’s transfer students. Michelle shares how Roosevelt University is blending enrollment strategies with student services to create a seamless transfer experience with the support of DegreeSight's Inbound Transcript Evaluation tool. Michelle talks through the significant impact on transfer enrollment Roosevelt has experienced after implementing Inbound. Jay and Michelle unpack the biggest hurdles transfer students face—and the actionable ways institutions can better support them. 💡 Whether you're in enrollment management, student services, or just curious about how we can better serve transfer students, Michelle’s insight is a must-hear. 🎧 Tune in as we cover: The 3 big questions transfers have to answer before they move forward The 24/7 on-demand nature of today's prospective students Why student-first service matters now more than ever Real-world strategies to simplify and humanize the transfer process https://www.degreesight.com https://www.roosevelt.edu/ https://www.degreesight.com/news/roosevelt-university-sees-immediate-gains-with-inbound/ If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Rethinking AI in Higher Ed with Dr. David Hatami (Part 1): Episode 9 42:16

for 29 weeks siden42:16

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Send us a text Episode Description : Artificial Intelligence isn’t just knocking on higher ed’s door—it’s already inside, sipping coffee in the faculty lounge. In this episode of transferTALK , host Jay Fedje sits down with Dr. David Hatami—AI ethicist, author, speaker, policy consultant, and founder of EduPolicy.ai—for a candid, insightful, and surprisingly funny conversation about how colleges and universities can stop fearing AI... and start planning for it. From tech fails to policy wins, this is Part 1 of a multi-episode deep dive into AI’s role on campus. Hatami brings a unique blend of humor, intellect, and practical wisdom as he breaks down what schools need to do now to build responsible AI policies, why faculty buy-in is critical, and how AI can actually enhance the student experience—when used right. Whether you're an academic leader, a transfer advocate, or someone who just whispered “ChatGPT wrote this,” this episode will get you thinking bigger—and smarter—about what’s next. Show Notes: www.degreesight.com/podcast/ www.edupolicy.ai/ www.linkedin.com/in/david-h-b288114/ www.hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/guidelines-effective-ai-policy/ If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Every Student, Every Day: Episode 8 37:05

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Send us a text Hello, and welcome to another episode of transferTALK, the podcast where we explore the ever-evolving landscape of student transfers and higher education. I'm your host, Jay Fedje, and today we have a guest whose passion for college degree access and the student experience is truly inspiring. Joining us is Dr. Matt Boyce, a dedicated higher education professional with a rich background in enrollment management and student affairs. Matt has held various roles at institutions such as George Mason University, University of Puget Sound and Emerson College, where he’s focused not simply on first year enrollment, but also improving student engagement and success. His responsibilities include student recruitment, retention, the impact of campus involvement, and strategies for supporting the success of all college students. In our conversation today, we'll delve into Matt's insights on creating service-minded environments for transfer students, the importance of data-driven decision-making in higher education, and the evolving challenges and opportunities in enrollment management. https://www.degreesight.com http://emerson.edu If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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The Future of Transfer Enrollment: Crystal Ball Time - Episode 7 29:32

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Send us a text Joining host Jay Fedje, is Kevin Windholz, the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Oklahoma City University. Since 2012, Kevin has been at the helm of domestic and international admissions, financial aid, student accounts, and university marketing and communications. As a member of the President’s cabinet, he has played a pivotal role in authoring the University's Strategic Enrollment Management plan and contributing to the development of the University's master strategic plan. One of his notable achievements includes developing a system to accurately predict net revenue from future enrollments. In today's conversation, we'll explore Kevin's insights into the evolving landscape of enrollment management, the challenges and opportunities in higher education today, and his experiences that have shaped his approach to recruiting and serving transfer students. Links for show notes: https://www.degreesight.com https://www.okcu.edu/faculty/kevin-windholz If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Marketing to an Invisible Audience - Episode 6: Part 2 31:13

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Send us a text Today’s show is part 2 of a conversation Jay has with Ryan Morabito, Senior Advisor/Strategist at 5° Branding. In quick recap of part 1, they discussed the elements of getting a better understanding of a college’s “Invisible Audience” of transfer and dormant degree seekers through “pulse research”. That is, frequent quick surveys to gauge the ever-changing dynamics of a complicated prospective student population. In part two we’ll dig deeper into sustainable strategies to identify, recruit, and service an invisible but essential audience. And as Ryan would say – This is the Way. End of Story. https://www.degreesight.com https://5degreesbranding.com/ https://5degreesbranding.com/higher-ed-marketing-truths/concluding-takeaways Inside Higher Ed Article – Fewer 18-Year-Olds Enrolled in College This Fall If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Marketing to an Invisible Audience - Episode 5: Part 1 28:48

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Send us a text In this Episode of TransferTALK, Jay talks to Ryan Morabito, Senior Advisor/Strategist at 5° Branding. Ryan is well known as a marketing guru in higher education. You may know him from his Marketing Truth posts on LinkedIn that start with sharp insights and end with “This is the Way”! Ryan was asked to be on the show for two reasons: one he’s an out of the box marketer and two his creativity might help in this challenging conversation about Marketing to an Invisible Audience – that is communities of transfers, adult learners, and “Dormant Degree Seekers” – those people with college credit but have not reengaged the higher ed system to complete their degree. Research has shown there are more than 40 million prospective students in that category – but they are not immediately identifiable to colleges and universities. Jay and Ryan talk through what Ryan calls his Ten Truths of Marketing for some strategies that can help identify, recruit, and service an invisible but essential audience. Links for the show notes: (additional as needed) https://www.degreesight.com https://5degreesbranding.com/ https://5degreesbranding.com/higher-ed-marketing-truths/concluding-takeaways Inside Higher Ed Article – Fewer 18-Year-Olds Enrolled in College This Fall If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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Underserved College Bound Communities - Episode 4 42:56

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Send us a text In this Episode of TransferTALK Jay talks with Dr. Su Jin Jez, CEO of California Competes, who leads that charge with vision, creativity, and personal experience as a first-gen student herself. In this second of a two-part series, Jay is encouraged as he hopes you’ll be, with the commitment that organizations like California Competes maintains for underserved and invisible “non-traditional” college ready audiences. Higher ed leaders need to listen carefully to Drs. Jez and Bernhard for templates that can be used across the country. The health of many colleges and universities will depend on reaching communities that have generally been ignored. https://californiacompetes.org/ Student/Parents Info Graphic https://www.degreesight.com If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

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The DNA of transfer students: common needs of transfers - Episode 3 39:29

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Send us a text In this episode of TransferTALK Jay talks with Drew Melendres, Co-Founder of DegreeSight. Drew’s background in higher education and more specifically with non-traditional and transfer students is both extensive and significant. Drew has a uniquely broad view of how the recruitment market has been, where it is currently, and where it is going. Yes, he’s one of those prognosticators who has a pretty clear view of the future of college enrollment. If you’re curious about the common factors of non-traditional students that higher education leaders must embrace, this is an important conversation for you. You should take good notes – the test is coming! https://www.degreesight.com If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

TransferTALK

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What California knows about “dormant degree seekers” - Episode 2 33:52

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Send us a text In this episode of TransferTALK Jay talks with Dr. Laura Bernhard, Senior Researcher at California Competes, a non-profit organization focused on researching and advocating for students who have started but have not finished their college degree in the state of California. They’ll wrestle with the challenges of identifying and holistically supporting a giant national community of possible “transfer” or “comebacker” students. As colleges and universities face very real demand and demographic drops, this invisible audience represents opportunities for higher ed, the economy, and the students themselves. https://www.chronicle.com/article/that-ship-has-sailed https://p2p.californiacompetes.org/ https://californiacompetes.org/ https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/ https://www.degreesight.com If you'd like to talk transfer strategies or have questions on this episode: www.degreesight.com. You can also find us at www.linkedin.com/company/degreesight…

TransferTALK

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Serving Transfer Students - Episode 1 43:08

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