Next Practices

Civitas Learning
  • 5,0 (8)
  • ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ
  • КАЖДЫЕ ДВЕ НЕДЕЛИ

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: Go-live Isn't the Finish Line

    29 АПР. ·  БОНУСНЫЙ КОНТЕНТ

    Signals: Go-live Isn't the Finish Line

    Most implementations focus on reaching go-live. But the real test often begins after launch. In this Signals audio edition, we look at the handoff no one talks about: the space between what technology can do and what teams actually do with it. Through Lawrence Technological University's six-week Civitas Learning deployment story, we explore why speed matters, why structure matters more, and why partnership after go-live is often what determines whether progress holds. Resources discussed: IHE's 2025 Survey Insights: The Top 12 2024 EDUCAUSE Analytics Landscape Study From a Year of Frustration to Live in Six Weeks: Lawrence Technological University's Deployment Story 2025 EDUCAUSE Top 10 #7: Faster, Better, AND Cheaper Gardner Institute's 2025 Impact Report

    3 мин.
  2. Signals: The Relationships Behind the Number

    15 АПР. ·  БОНУСНЫЙ КОНТЕНТ

    Signals: The Relationships Behind the Number

    This Signals edition — adapted for audio in the Next Practices feed — explores a question many institutions are facing: What does it actually take to sustain student success gains over time? Six years ago, Slippery Rock University was told that improving retention by a single percentage point wasn't realistic. This fall, they reached 86.4% — the highest in their history. The number matters. What's behind it matters more. In this episode, we examine what's driving that kind of progress — from relationship-rich partnerships to the discipline of stopping low-impact work — and why initiative fatigue, not effort, is often the real barrier. Drawing on SRU's experience and new insights from the Gardner Institute's 2025 Impact Report, this edition explores how institutions move from isolated initiatives to systems that compound results over time. Key links:  The Gardner Institute's 2025 Impact Report From 81% to 86.4%: SRU's Playbook for Sustained Retention Gains CLOSE the Student Impact Gap: A Modern Operating Model for Student Success

    3 мин.
  3. Signals: The Initiative Trap

    1 АПР. ·  БОНУСНЫЙ КОНТЕНТ

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

    17 МАР. ·  БОНУСНЫЙ КОНТЕНТ

    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 мин.
  5. Signals: The Decision Bottleneck

    4 МАР. ·  БОНУСНЫЙ КОНТЕНТ

    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 мин.
  6. Signals: Where Relationships Shape Outcomes

    18 ФЕВР. ·  БОНУСНЫЙ КОНТЕНТ

    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 мин.

  7. 15 ЯНВ.

    [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 мин.

  8. 02.09.2025

    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 мин.
См. все (39)

Оценки и отзывы

5
из 5
Оценок: 8

Об этом подкасте

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

Информация

  • Автор
    Civitas Learning
  • Годы выхода
    2022 - 2026
  • Выпуски
    39
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © 2022
  • Сайт подкаста
    Next Practices