Podcast Episode:
AAUA 2026 – Rasheem Rooke
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 student affairs professional, then challenges narrow ROI narratives that privilege only a few “practical” majors. He and Roche discuss data on the lifetime earnings premium of a bachelor’s degree, the power of liberal arts and humanities to build adaptable leaders, and the central role of student support services, career services, and co-curricular engagement in student success, persistence, and social mobility. They also examine how colleges and universities can better control the narrative about value—through strategic use of TikTok, Instagram, and student-centered web design, stronger alumni storytelling, and deeper partnerships with K–12 and community organizations.
The episode offers concrete insights for higher education leaders seeking to improve graduation rates, equity in outcomes, and stakeholder trust, and sets the stage for deeper exploration of these themes at AAUA’s national conference in October.
