Mastering the Next

Hosted by Dr. Ray Lutzky

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Oct 2025

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Mastering the Next is a cutting-edge podcast exploring the future of graduate, online, and non-traditional education through the lens of AI and technology. Staying competitive in the world of student recruitment and enrollment means keeping up with the ever-evolving tech trends in higher education. Join Dr. Ray Lutzky as we explore “what’s next” at the dynamic intersection of student recruitment and leading edge technology. Each episode will explore future trends in strategic enrollment management and the technologies shaping the academic landscape of the 21st-century. Listeners will be equipped with strategies to meet the evolving needs of today’s learners. Mastering the Next is hosted by Ray Lutzky and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

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60 recent

October 14, 202522 min

Ep. 60: The MBA ROI Challenge: Meeting Workforce Demands Head-On

The MBA landscape is shifting faster than ever. Programs are experimenting with online hybrids, one-year accelerators, and specialized tracks. With so many formats competing for attention, how can schools adapt and stay relevant? In this episode, Oren Margolis, Founder of Pinetree & Palm Consulting, offers a candid look at what business schools are getting right and where they risk falling short. Drawing on his experience at NYU Stern and in talent development at high-growth companies, Oren explains why skills matter more than pedigree and how institutions can frame MBA ROI in ways that resonate with today’s students and the evolving workforce.Join us as we discuss: [4:54] Gen Z and millennial career priorities: what’s changed, what hasn’t[8:11] Rethinking ROI: short-term salary vs. long-term trajectory[16:26] Skills vs. pedigree: where MBAs really create valueTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Oren Margolis, Founder of Pinetree & Palm ConsultingGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orenmargolis/Guest Bio: Oren Margolis (MBA, SPHR, ACC) is a leadership and executive coach, MBA admissions consultant, and career coach specializing in ambitious Millennial and Gen Z professionals. He brings deep corporate experience leading People & Talent at VC-backed fintech Nova Credit and building career development programs at Westfield and WME, combined with six years in MBA admissions at NYU Stern where he evaluated thousands of applicants and helped launch innovative programs.With an MBA from NYU Stern and certifications including ICF-Certified Coach (ACC) and SPHR, Oren helps clients navigate leadership challenges, career transitions, and competitive graduate admissions by blending business strategy, organizational dynamics, and individual development expertise. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 30, 202518 min

Ep. 59: Why Branding Matters More Than Budgets: Authenticity as Advantage in Higher Ed

In a saturated higher education landscape, how can a business school stand out without the budget or brand power of top-tier competitors? In this episode, we talk with Matt Alex, Director of Marketing at Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, who is leading a comprehensive brand refresh rooted in Peter Drucker’s legacy. Matt shares how the school is navigating the challenges of differentiation in Southern California’s crowded MBA market, balancing the weight of Drucker’s global reputation with the need to connect authentically with modern students. From faculty buy-in to enrollment outcomes, this conversation explores the future of branding in higher ed and why storytelling, authenticity, and human-centricity matter more than ever.Join us as we discuss: [7:59] How to get faculty buy-in for brand messaging[10:39] Storytelling as the most authentic marketing tool[13:29] Why brand strategy must align with institutional strategyTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 8, 202523 min

Ep. 58: What Stanford Is Learning About Gen AI in the Classroom

The notion of reimagining education alongside generative AI is no longer a simple sentiment but a necessity. Chris Agnew, Director of the Generative AI for Education Hub at Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins Ray to outline three roles AI plays in higher education: efficiency, outcomes, and reimagining the classroom. Chris shares what his team has learned about AI’s ability to support educators and why most current tools miss the opportunity to deeply transform how students learn. He also addresses concerns around academic integrity and suggests how real change requires a reevaluation of long-held faculty practices.Join us as we discuss: [1:42] The three buckets of AI applications in higher ed classrooms[6:15] Faculty wariness and resistance to change in the AI storm[13:55] Why durable skill-based education will become a focal pointCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Stanford University’s Generative AI for Education HubTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Chris Agnew, Director of Stanford's Generative AI for Education HubGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-agnew-74bb8217/Guest Bio: Chris Agnew is Director, Generative AI for Education Hub at Stanford University. As the Director, Chris is the principal organizing force in designing and implementing the new Generative AI in Education Hub - from concept to strategic planning to full implementation. Chris works closely with faculty and staff to build partnerships with education organizations and practitioners including schools, educators, policy makers, funders, NGO’s, and the edtech sector.With over 25 years in education, Chris has taught and led both K12 schools and non traditional learning environments adjacent to K12 and post secondary. Committed to learning that is experiential, applied and relevant, Chris shifted to edtech to improve access and reduce cost of transformative learning models.Prior to Stanford, Chris led US higher ed strategy and credentials for Multiverse, an edtech startup using professional apprenticeships as an alternative to college and university. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 25, 202521 min

Ep. 57: When AI Meets Old Governance: Canadian Higher Ed at a Crossroads

As Canadian higher education faces unprecedented financial pressures and rapid technological change, AI has emerged as both a solution and a challenge. In this episode, Dr. Andre De Freitas, Founder of EdVisingU, joins Ray to explore how AI is reshaping governance, teaching, and student engagement across Canadian universities and colleges. From the risks of top-down decision-making to the urgency of embedding AI literacy in every classroom, Andre shares candid insights on how institutions must adapt without compromising their core values. Join us as we discuss: [1:38] Financial pressures and the "Uberization" of education[9:10] Why bottom-up leadership and student input matter[16:28] The future of public-private partnerships and fast-tracked curriculaCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Council of Ontario Universities Higher Education Quality Council of OntarioDisco.coElement451To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 11, 202514 min

Ep. 56: The Runway Model: Where Research Meets Entrepreneurship

What happens when brilliant PhD researchers want to turn groundbreaking ideas into real-world ventures, but lack the entrepreneurial playbook? In this episode, Ray sits down with Michael Escosia of Cornell Tech’s Runway Startups Program, a unique postdoctoral initiative that helps PhDs become startup founders. Michael shares how the program fills critical gaps in business skills, fosters team-building, and creates a strong network to support postdocs as they transition from academic research to commercial ventures.Join us as we discuss: [1:51] How Runway fills the gap between research and business[7:15] The power of community, mentorship, and networks[10:32] Success stories, alumni paths, and program outcomesTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Michael Escosia, Associate Director of Operations, Cornell TechGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mescosia/Guest Bio: Michael Escosia serves as Associate Director of Operations at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, a groundbreaking joint academic venture between Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. As an integral partner at Cornell Tech in New York City, the Institute brings together faculty, students, business leaders, and tech entrepreneurs to reinvent how we live in the digital age through innovative educational, research, and entrepreneurial opportunities.With over seven years at the Institute, Escosia advances strategic goals through program development and management, including trek programs to Israel and San Francisco. His career spans healthcare systems design at Mount Sinai Health System, biomedical sciences program management at NYU, and nonprofit leadership as Director of Programs at VR Kids. He holds an MPA from NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, specializing in non-profit management and policy. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 27, 202528 min

Ep. 55: Is Your Brand for Real? How to Win Trust in the AI Era

In this episode, Ray is joined by Anika Jackson, Executive Director at The ICL Foundation, to explore how brands can stay human in a world increasingly driven by technology. From Gen Z’s demand for authenticity to the growing role of AI in marketing, we unpack what it truly takes for brands to build trust — and what happens when they fall short. Anika shares real-world insights on user-generated content, purpose-driven messaging, and why standing firm in your values matters more than ever.Join us as we discuss: [2:17] How to balance AI-generated content and authenticity[11:34] Columbia vs. Harvard and strategic responses to political pressure[15:25] Why AI can’t replicate human creativity, strategy, and iterationCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Your Brand AmplifiedTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Anika Jackson, Executive Director, the ICL FoundationGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikajackson/Guest Bio: Anika Jackson is a senior communications and marketing professional with over 25 years of experience working with diverse brands and clients to build local and global interest and create meaningful, synergistic relationships between businesses and people. She currently serves as the CEO, chief strategist, and podcast host for Your Brand Amplified, a marketing and communications agency that she also founded. She is also Executive Director of the ICL Foundation. Jackson’s professional expertise encompasses experiential marketing, event production, launch marketing, public relations, and various additional digital and influencer-based marketing and communications management strategies. She is a member of the Quickbooks Small Business Council, serves on the advisory board for UC Santa Barbara’s Women in Leadership executive program, and contributes her knowledge and thought leadership for the benefit of multiple local, national, and global nonprofits. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 13, 202520 min

Ep. 54: Business School, Rebooted: AI, Global Realities, and Shifting Priorities

Is the traditional MBA losing its edge, or is it simply evolving? In this episode, Andrew Crisp, owner of CarringtonCrisp, joins Ray to answer that question with insights from the firm’s comprehensive and influential Tomorrow’s MBA study. From the surprising drop in interest in international MBA programs to the surging demand for specializations in AI, healthcare, and sustainability, Andrew draws on more than 15 years of global student research to unpack the forces reshaping business education.Join us as we discuss:[2:04] Geopolitical tensions and their impact on global education[12:10] How AI policy, integrity, and innovation will influence tomorrow’s MBA[15:17] If MBAs still justify their price tag, and rethinking ROI and personalizationCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Tomorrow’s MBA study by CarringtonCrispTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Andrew Crisp, Co-Founder, CarringtonCrispGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-crisp-carringtoncrisp/?originalSubdomain=ukGuest Bio: Andrew Crisp jointly founded CarringtonCrisp in 2003 with Mary Lou Carrington.Drawing on considerable experience in research, strategy and communication, Andrew has built CarringtonCrisp into a global brand, known for its work across business schools and universities, including INSEAD, IMD, Columbia, Babson, CEIBS, UNSW AGSM, Vlerick, Rotterdam, Miami, Saïd, Judge, Cardiff, King's College London and many more.Prior to setting up CarringtonCrisp, Andrew led the agency team that carried out the London Business School rebrand. He also worked as the Employment Correspondent for The European newspaper, as Marketing Director for an internet business, writing training books for comedians Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones and as a student campaign leader at The Industrial Society.Andrew is a regular speaker at industry events organised by groups such as the Chartered Association of Business Schools, EFMD and AACSB. Andrew is often quoted in the media drawing on his knowledge of business education for the Financial Times, The Economist, BusinessBecause, the Globe and Mail, the Australian and other international titles. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 30, 202527 min

Ep. 53: The Great Misconception: The Future of Online Education

Higher education stands at another pivotal crossroads. With online learning now mainstream and AI rapidly reshaping how students search, learn, and engage, institutions are under pressure to move beyond outdated debates and embrace meaningful transformation. In this episode, Beth Hollenberg, CEO at Everspring, joins Ray to explore the shifts reshaping higher ed — from outdated tech debates to the growing need for data-driven experimentation. They discuss what will set successful universities apart, why “build it and they will come” no longer works, and how to create student-centered digital strategies that last.Join us as we discuss:[5:41] How institutions are rethinking online education strategy[11:11] Why solving a revenue problem is not the answer[20:05] What will set successful universities apart in the next 3–5 yearsTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Beth Hollenberg, CEO, EverspringGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethhollenberg/Guest Bio: Beth Hollenberg, CEO of Everspring, has 20 years of experience in education, with more than ten years' experience running online, campus, and hybrid education programs. Most recently, Beth was President and COO of Kaplan Higher Education's Campus division. Prior to that role, she was the EVP and General Manager of SCORE! Educational Centers, a network of 170 technology-enabled tutoring centers nationwide. Beth started her career as a consultant to the Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked on effectively scaling federally funded programs for children and youth. She was an associate with the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) in Washington, D.C., where she focused on social services and education reform. Trained as an attorney, Beth holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, an MA in Sociology, and BA in Psychology with distinction from Stanford University. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 16, 202523 min

Ep. 52: Rewriting Journalism: Higher Ed in a Changing Media Landscape

At a time when misinformation spreads faster than ever and trust in media is under fire, how do we prepare the next generation of ethical, resilient journalists? In this episode of Mastering the Next, we speak with Colleen Leigh, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. A former TV reporter turned higher education leader, Dr. Leigh offers a unique perspective on how journalism education is evolving to meet modern challenges.Join us as we discuss:[2:01] Misinformation, political pressure, and journalistic integrity[13:10] What makes students thrive in journalism school[17:21] DEI in journalism and building a more inclusive newsroomTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Dr. Colleen Leigh, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY)Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenleigh/Guest Bio: Colleen Leigh is the Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success at CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. She oversees Admissions, Student Affairs, Career Services, and Alumni Affairs. She joined the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in 2007 as an admissions/outreach counselor, in 2014 was the school’s Director of Admissions, and in 2019 was our Assistant Dean for Administration, which was the equivalent of our chief operating officer, overseeing Academic Operations, Campus Services, Public Safety, and Technology. Her first role as an admissions officer was for the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. After earning an M.A. in Journalism from Emerson College, Colleen worked as a freelance TV reporter covering the Filipino community in the New York region. In addition to the master’s in journalism, she holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of Scranton, an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 9, 202526 min

Ep. 51: How Flexible Learning Models Are Powering 100% Employability

In this episode, Ray chats with Julio Peña, Vicerrector de Educación Abierta y Organizaciones at Universidad Tecmilenio, one of Mexico’s most innovative universities. Together, they explore how flexible learning models, purpose-driven education, and a deep focus on well-being are transforming student outcomes — and setting new global standards for employability.Julio shares how Tecmilenio has built a unique “Connect” model that blends online, hybrid, and in-person learning, how 9 out of 10 students land jobs before graduation, and why “well-being” is more than a buzzword — it's at the heart of everything they do. Join us as we discuss: [2:15] Tecmilenio’s “Connect” model — flexible, hybrid, and personalized[7:22] Why well-being and purpose make all the difference[18:00] Co-creating to create ROI for both businesses and learnersCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:The Flow modelThe Seligman modelMAPS modelTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.Guest Name: Julio Peña, Vicerrector de Educación Abierta y Organizaciones at Universidad TecmilenioGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-pe%C3%B1a-gaviria-45802825Guest Bio: Julio Peña Gaviria is Vicerrector de Educación Abierta y Organizaciones at Universidad Tecmilenio. He has more than 30 years of professional experience, 22 of which have been in the world of information technology and digital transformation. He has dedicated his career to driving human potential, its relationship with technology, and access to quality education for all. He holds a degree in economics from Universidad Javeriana, an MBA from CESA, an executive program from Harvard, and the D1 program from IPADE. He has held leadership positions at companies such as IBM, Dell, and Microsoft. In his current role at Tecmilenio, he is responsible for leading the creation and implementation of accessibility and affordability strategies in Mexico and Latin America, focused on lifelong education. His goal is to promote mass, high-impact education based on the needs of organizations and individuals, in order to develop and connect existing talent potential with job market opportunities, seeking to reduce current gaps. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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