In this episode, Dr. John Comerford, President of Otterbein University, joins host Matt Roche for a candid, forward-looking conversation about how institutions can reclaim the true value of higher education beyond rankings and prestige. Drawing on his student affairs roots and presidential experience, Comerford unpacks the ROI debate, making a compelling case for the breadth and adaptability of liberal arts degrees, especially in the social sciences and humanities. He details Otterbein’s innovative responses to rising costs and demographic pressures, including debt-free tuition for Pell-eligible students, the Otterbein Advantage Partnership that links employers, scholarships, and internships, and the Otterbein Ready program that [...]

In this AAUA podcast episode, President & CEO Sandra Affenito and AAUA Board Member Matt Roche speak with Rasheem Rooke, Assistant Vice President for Scholarships and Programs at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), writer, educator, and author of Thriving in College: 10 Real-World Lessons for College Success. Framed by AAUA’s annual conference theme, “Realizing the Higher Education Value Proposition,” the conversation explores how institutions can more effectively demonstrate and deliver the long-term value of a college education. Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tjh_-QUR1Wk Rooke traces his own path as a low-income, first-generation student and [...]