Next Practices

Civitas Learning

Next Practices welcomes higher education leaders to share their experiences and solutions for the challenges facing their students and institutions. Hosted by Katy Oliveira, the show delves into the use of data-driven strategies to address pressing questions and tackle issues in the constantly evolving landscape of higher education. Each episode provides practical advice and trends that can help leaders improve student outcomes and build financially sustainable institutions now and into the future. Next Practices is produced by Civitas Learning. Learn more at civitaslearning.com

  1. Signals: The Initiative Trap

    1D AGO ·  BONUS

    Signals: The Initiative Trap

    This Signals newsletter edition — adapted for audio in the Next Practices feed — explores a common challenge across higher education: If your teams can see risk, why does action still stall? Early-alert systems and predictive insights are now widespread. But visibility alone doesn't improve outcomes. When insight doesn't clarify what comes first, momentum fades. In this edition of Signals, we examine why the real bottleneck isn't awareness — it's prioritization — and how institutions move from reactive effort to coordinated action. Key ideas explored in this episode include: • Why alerts alone don't establish priorities • How timing, context, and ownership shape whether teams act • Why prioritization — not visibility — determines momentum Links referenced in this edition: • Too many initiatives competing for attention, with unclear ownership • Fragmentation across systems and teams makes it difficult to translate that insight into coordinated action • The CLOSE Student Success Playbook

    4 min
  2. Signals: Insight Only Matters If It's Applied

    MAR 17 ·  BONUS

    Signals: Insight Only Matters If It's Applied

    This Signals newsletter edition — adapted for audio in the Next Practices feed — explores a common challenge across higher education: If insight is clear, why doesn't action follow? Institutions have more data and analytics than ever. But when insight doesn't move cleanly across teams and systems, it stalls — losing urgency, clarity, and impact. In this edition of Signals, we examine why the real breakdown isn't in the signal itself — it's in the handoff — and how institutions can close the gap between insight and action. Key ideas explored in this episode include: Why insight often stalls between teams and systems How "digital sprawl" fragments coordination across campuses The inability to carry data through to action The CLOSE operating model

    2 min
  3. Signals: The Decision Bottleneck

    MAR 4 ·  BONUS

    Signals: The Decision Bottleneck

    This Signals newsletter edition — adapted for audio in the Next Practices feed — explores a common challenge across higher education: If teams can see risk, why does action still stall? Early-alert tools are now widespread across campuses, but visibility alone doesn't improve outcomes. What matters is whether insight arrives early enough, with enough context, to help teams prioritize what to do next. In this edition of Signals, we examine why the real bottleneck isn't awareness — it's prioritization — and how institutions move from reactive effort to coordinated action. Key ideas explored in this episode include: • Why alerts alone don't change outcomes • How timing and context shape decision-making • Why prioritization — not visibility — drives momentum Links referenced in this edition: • Research from Oklahoma State University on academic alerts and student outcomes • Our post on separating noise from meaningful insight — and why prioritization is the real constraint Signals is the Civitas Learning newsletter, sharing insights on student success, institutional strategy, and the patterns shaping higher education. Where clarity compounds.

    3 min
  4. Signals: Where Relationships Shape Outcomes

    FEB 18 ·  BONUS

    Signals: Where Relationships Shape Outcomes

    This Signals newsletter edition — adapted for audio in the Next Practices feed — examines why alignment is the real lever behind student success. Drawing from Aesop's The Lion and the Mouse and insights from Slippery Rock University, we explore how responsiveness, trust, and partnership determine whether effort compounds or stalls.

    3 min

  5. JAN 15

    [Bonus Episode] How to Empower Student Retention Efforts with AI

    What if AI could help student success teams act earlier, work smarter, and focus more on human connection—without requiring perfect data or adding more burden to already stretched staff? In this special bonus episode of Next Practices, we're sharing a recent conversation featuring Civitas Learning CEO Will Ballard on the Higher Ed Geek Podcast, hosted by Dustin Ramsdell. Will breaks down what institutions actually need to know about AI in higher education today—from predictive and assistive use cases to the cultural and operational shifts required to make new tools stick. Rather than chasing hype, the conversation focuses on how data frequency, institutional specificity, and thoughtful implementation can help teams move from reactive reporting to proactive student support. This episode explores: Why AI in higher education is no longer futuristic—it's essential How institutions can generate value without "perfect" or pristine data Why daily data updates unlock earlier, more meaningful intervention The difference between predictive, assistive, and agentic AI in student success How AI can reduce advisor burnout and create more space for human connection Why measuring the ROI of student success initiatives is critical in today's budget environment What it really takes to drive adoption, trust, and long-term impact This conversation is especially relevant for leaders navigating AI adoption, data skepticism, or change fatigue—and for anyone looking to move beyond dashboards toward outcomes that matter. About the episode: Originally recorded for the Higher Ed Geek Podcast, this discussion is shared here as a bonus episode for the Next Practices community.

    32 min

  6. 09/02/2025

    Improving Student Success with a Hub-and-Spoke Advising Model

    What if your advising system could see students not just as a collective, but as individuals with unique needs, goals, and challenges? At the University of North Dakota, that vision is becoming reality. In this conversation, we explore how a campus-wide transformation in student advising is already producing measurable success through rising retention rates, stronger relationships, and the power of shared data. You'll hear from Dr. Karyn Plumm, vice provost for undergraduate studies and student success, who helped spearhead the shift to a hybrid "hub-and-spoke" model of advising. She's joined by Ashley Vigen, director for student academic success, and Katie Meyer, Hawk Central specialist and data coordinator. Together, they describe the evolution of advising at UND from a traditional faculty-led model to one where professional advisors are embedded in departments, supported by thoughtful technology, and equipped with real-time student insights. This is more than just a narrative about new software or a structural shift. It's about gaining buy-in, actively listening to stakeholders, and fostering a culture in which students don't have to rehash their tale at every turn. With intentional training, strategic communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement, this team demonstrates how institutions can transform complexity into connection and create significant, long-term change for the students they serve.   Show Notes: [03:35] The University of North Dakota is a flagship four-year research institution. [04:24] Dr. Karyn Plumm is the vice provost for undergraduate studies and student success. [04:41] Ashley is the director for student academic success. [05:22] Katie is the Hawk Central Specialist and Data Coordinator. [06:16] Challenges that UND students are up against include having consistent experiences and student plans for individual advising. [07:30] They've changed to a hub-and-spoke model for advising where they have a centralized team that helps oversee all of the professional advisors. [08:50] Why they decided to change their advising model and invest in technology. [11:04] Students need different kinds of support for different roles. [12:27] The importance of sharing information including with student affairs. [14:12] What taking an intentional approach towards change management looks like. [19:07] Ashley talks about buy-in and being intentional about putting the puzzle together to adopt the technology. They've been using the product for a year and it's been very seamless. [22:51] They're always focusing on continual improvement. [23:47] Having the product meet the needs of diverse students. [24:53] They do have a strong faculty governance. Everyone has the ability to see the information that is relevant for their area. [28:02] Early indicators of success and what they're excited about. [30:21] They've also created a robust communication plan to reach all of their students. [33:51] Lessons learned include taking your time to onboard well and make sure the data is accurate. [34:39] Choose people who will be champions for the product. [36:04] Invite everyone to the table and get as many people involved as possible.   Links and Resources: University of North Dakota Hawk Central Dr. Karyn Plumm - UND Dr. Karyn Plumm - LinkedIn Ashley Vigen - UND Ashley Vigen - LinkedIn Katie Meyer - UND Katie Meyer - LinkedIn

    38 min

  7. 08/19/2025

    Ensuring Your Team is Strategically Enabled to Use Technology with Stephanie Smith Euting

    Introducing new technology into an institution is only the first step. Ensuring that teams are fully prepared to use it in ways that align with strategic goals is where the real work begins. Strategic enablement is more than training users on where to click. It's equipping people to apply data and tools thoughtfully, effectively and consistently to support long term student success.  In this episode I talk to Stephanie Smith Euting, Director of Strategic Enablement at Civitas Learning about turning software adoption into measurable impact. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education and ed tech, Stephanie shares how she helps institutions move beyond one time training to build ongoing strategies that support their people, processes and priorities. She explains the difference between functional training and strategic enablement, the importance of quick wins and how to plan for long term engagement. Stephanie also talks about the common pitfalls that derail technology rollouts and offers practical advice for creating a culture of continuous learning. Whether it's collaboration across departments, refining workflows or using predictive analytics to guide student conversations her advice is grounded in real world application. This conversation shows how a focused enablement strategy can help institutions get the most out of their tools and drive lasting change.   Show Notes: [03:08] Stephanie shares a little bit about her background. [04:51] Defining strategic enablement and how it's different from training. [05:41] Strategic enablement anchors your knowledge and uses cases, strategies, and data. [07:42] The importance of having the right teams and leaders working together to understand the "why". [09:11] Stephanie loves how Civitas Learning can help support these strategies. [09:15] Adopting a "crawl, walk, run" approach to avoid overwhelm and support gradual adoption of new technologies. [10:00] Using data tools to provide real-time insights for staff, such as advisors, to support student needs effectively. [11:00] Building on initial success with predictive analytics and more proactive student engagement strategies. [12:20] The importance of layering data insights into workflows to improve academic planning and outcomes. [13:10] How ongoing reinforcement and repetition support cultural shifts and technology integration on campus. The importance of workshops. [14:35] The importance of partnerships with vendors. The value of vendor partnerships that go beyond software delivery and include strategic collaboration and support. [15:47] Applying the human touch in conjunction with the software and industry experience.  [16:45] Knowledge sharing and Innovation helps us to continue to learn from each other as we strive for the next level. [17:06] Keeping up with the times and utilizing things like AI with student success tools. [18:01] Strategic enablement is ongoing. Having support in place and opportunities to engage is crucial. [19:01] Strategic enablement isn't one size fits all. It allows us to hone in on individual institutional priorities.   Links and Resources: Stephanie Smith Euting - LinkedIn

    21 min

  8. 08/05/2025

    Thinking Creatively About Better Serving Adult Learners with Dr. Frank Dooley

    Across Purdue Global's virtual halls 38 000 students, nearly all of them working adults, log in after shifts and school runs, yet they are moving toward Purdue degrees faster because the university treats their lived experience as real academic currency. Dr. Frank Dooley, Chancellor Emeritus of Purdue Global, explained how his team built policies that convert military medic training, corporate leadership courses, and on‑the‑job technical certificates into college credit.  On Purdue's residential campus the playbook looks different: first‑year students find peer tutoring and study‑skills boot camps embedded in their earliest classes. The result on both campuses is the same with higher completion rates driven by flexibility and timely feedback instead of a one‑size‑fits‑all schedule. I sat down with Frank to unpack the mindset shifts behind that success and the practical systems that keep it running, from micro assessments for time‑starved adults to visible walk‑in help for traditional freshmen learning to manage independence. We also talk about awarding credit for prior learning at scale, building employer partnerships that turn CHIPS Act funding into real careers, and designing courses that accommodate neurodiversity and the coming wave of AI‑driven change. If you are searching for a blueprint that leaves cookie‑cutter education behind, pull up a seat.   Show Notes: [02:57] Dr. Frank Dooley has had a long career. He's a Professor of Agricultural Economics. He's been at Purdue since 1998. He went into the Provost office in 2011, and worked with undergraduate programs. In 2020, he became the chancellor of Purdue Global. [03:53] He's now on sabbatical. [04:07] We learn about the dual perspective of what students really need to be successful. [05:55] Working adults and learners who come back have all kinds of experience. They need to be able to expand that experience. [06:49] There's a lot of assessment in smaller bites. [07:55] Throwing out the playbook that was built for the traditional student population. [08:38] The adult learners may need more support. The importance of keeping in touch with learners who may have missed an assignment window. [11:21] One commonality with both groups of learners is they don't always ask for help. [12:03] The importance of using data to be proactive. [13:24] Letting traditional students know who the TAs are.   [15:11] It's harder for online students to build relationships with classmates. [17:27] There are many students on the autism spectrum. Having recognition and understanding that students are different. [19:59] Unique challenges that adult learners face. [22:00] We talk about the ability to give credit for prior learning. Purdue Global has an entire center focused on this. [26:07] Adult learners are very intent on finishing as quickly as possible. [27:52] Valuing different types of education and institution types and building a more inclusive and effective higher education system. [29:39] It's important for institutions to tie to the employer base they have in their location.   Links and Resources: Dr. Frank Dooley - LinkedIn Purdue Global

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Next Practices welcomes higher education leaders to share their experiences and solutions for the challenges facing their students and institutions. Hosted by Katy Oliveira, the show delves into the use of data-driven strategies to address pressing questions and tackle issues in the constantly evolving landscape of higher education. Each episode provides practical advice and trends that can help leaders improve student outcomes and build financially sustainable institutions now and into the future. Next Practices is produced by Civitas Learning. Learn more at civitaslearning.com

Information

  • Creator
    Civitas Learning
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Next Practices