President Lisa Vollendorf Featured in Higher Education Podcast

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – JULY 12, 2023) Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf was featured in the EdUp Experience podcast in an episode entitled “Authentic Leadership.” She spoke with podcast host Joe Sallustio and guest cohost Michael Horowitz as part of the podcast’s President Series.  

The EdUp podcast is a higher education podcast covering a wide range of topics in the ever-changing landscape of higher education, featuring a variety of guests from university presidents to ed-tech entrepreneurs. 

Dr. Vollendorf spoke about the innovative ways that Empire State University addresses those who are left behind with regard to access to higher education. She details how SUNY Empire supports students from application through graduation, breaking down barriers and offering them an accessible, high-quality education.  

“We should think about all of the people who have some college, no credential. That’s pushing over 40 million people in this country, and that number is going up radically every year,” Dr. Vollendorf said. “We need to figure out how to welcome those people back. Our new strategic plan brings a laser focus to student success in a meaningful way – truly meeting students where they are.” 

Dr. Vollendorf also addressed the need for today’s college and university presidents to be forward-thinking and fast-moving.  

“The presidency today requires a sense of passion and urgency, and I very clearly see that public higher education not just could do better, but must do better,” she said. “I feel a personal passion toward helping us be on a path of continuous improvement, bold leadership, and innovation.” 

Listen to the podcast episode at www.edupexperience.com/LisaVollendorf/.