Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education

Heralded by Forbes as "the indispensable touchpoint for what's being said in, about and around higher education today," Commencement is higher education's must-read book -- featuring the insights of 100+ college and university presidents in an unparalleled and candid conversation about the future of post-secondary education as we know it.

The Pursuit of Higher Education is a Time-Honored Tradition ... But Traditions Change

Colleges and universities that provide millions of degree and non-degree credentials each year are a vital backbone of communities and economies. These institutions elevate the critical-thinking capacities of students and learners, and they provide crucial job skills and life skills to emerging workforces.

But the skills we need, the ways in which we collaborate, and the very jobs available to graduates are changing. It’s time for higher education to start anew. It’s time for Commencement into a new era.

“Institutions must step into the market with things that are scalable and different and accelerated and that really respond to how adults learn.” – Dr. Philomena Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University

In their highly anticipated book born from interviews with 100+ college and university presidents, Kate Colbert and Joe Sallustio, EdD, welcome you into a conversation like no other.

Discover how you can seize the moment to change higher education forever.

Insights for Higher Education Leaders

Maybe you’re an administrator. A board member. A member of the faculty or staff. An ed-tech or educational services leader. Or a policymaker. If you work in or around higher education, this book was written for you — for your aspirations and your fears, for your curiosities and your vision, and for your commitment to educate, inspire, and serve the myriad learners who look to you and your institutions to light the way.

“Collectively, we need to affirm our belief in the power of education to change people's lives.” – Dr. Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University

Through the eyes of 100+ college and university presidents, learn how to:

• Embrace a new leadership skill set to change your college and your career
• See your mission through a modern lens that creates new opportunities
• Innovate, create, re-imagine, and evolve beyond the status quo
• Adopt a mindset about the purpose and value of higher education that makes the unimaginable suddenly possible
• Have impact far beyond your campus or your local community
• Create relationships, partnerships, and conversations that break down the walls, silos, rules, and bureaucracies that have held us back
• Survive the looming “admissions cliff”
• Use your pandemic lessons to create competitive advantage
• Put students first in all that you do

The Future of Higher Education Is Here

“I know that brighter days lie ahead. I absolutely know they lie ahead, but they will only lie ahead if we work together.” – Dr. Chris Roellke, President, Stetson University

Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education is a thoughtful and practical review of academia today, presented through the words and experiences of 100+ college and university presidents. From online learning to affordability and access, from diversity and inclusion to leadership styles, no major theme goes unexplored.

“The only thing that truly gives you resilience is education.” – Dr. Irma Becerra, President, Marymount University

Featuring contributions by Elvin Freytes, higher-education expert and co-founder of The EdUp Experience Podcast.

KATE COLBERT
A former higher-education insider and current world-renowned marketing expert, Kate Colbert develops college-and-university brand stories that are meaningful to the prospective student and measurable on the institutional balance sheet. She has overseen brand and enrollment marketing, public relations, and alumni relations at two Chicago-area graduate schools. Kate has additional expertise in corporate education, university crisis management, and faculty relations. She has consulted for Northeastern University, UC San Francisco, Carthage College, Tulane University School of Law, Babson College, The University of Tulsa College of Law, Bradley University, and Medical College of Georgia.

Ms. Colbert has spoken at the American Association of Medical Colleges, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and graduate education seminars with EducationDynamics. She is a six-time recipient of CASE District V’s annual awards for excellence in marketing and communications. She contributed to the book Net Proceeds: Increased Revenue from Enrollment and Advancement (Moore and Abrahamson) and authored the 2018 bestselling book Think Like a Marketer: How a Shift in Mindset Can Change Everything for Your Business. Kate has served as a faculty member at Illinois State University, the College of Lake County, Loyola University Chicago, and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

JOE SALLUSTIO, EdD
As one of our nation’s foremost higher-education experts, Dr. Joe Sallustio has led a broad range of educational institutions in various sectors of higher education. He currently serves as Senior Vice President, Lindenwood Global, at Lindenwood University and was formerly Chief Operating Officer at Claremont Lincoln University. Dr. Sallustio is a senior consultant to the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, is Executive Director and Board Member at The Association for the Advancement of the College Admissions Profession, and is a contributing writer for Fierce Education and The EvoLLLution. He is a frequent speaker, moderator, and panelist at higher-education conferences.

Dr. Sallustio is also co-founder and host of America’s leading higher-education podcast, The EdUp Experience. He has interviewed more than 140 college and university presidents, ed-tech CEOs, and business and industry executives domestically and globally. Episodes of The EdUp Experience Podcast have been downloaded more than 125,000 times, making Joe one of the world’s most recognizable and impactful higher-education voices influencing higher education today.