Keynote Speaker & Best-Selling Author
Expert Higher Education Administrator
Working at the intersection of higher ed & edtech
About Joe Sallustio, Ed.D.
Bio
The EdUp Experience
The EdUp Experience
Dr. Joe Sallustio has become one of higher education's most influential voices by doing something unusual: actually listening. As co-founder and host of The EdUp Experience Podcast, he's interviewed over 400 college and university presidents and nearly 1,200 higher education leaders across, generating over 500,000 downloads. No one in h
Dr. Joe Sallustio has become one of higher education's most influential voices by doing something unusual: actually listening. As co-founder and host of The EdUp Experience Podcast, he's interviewed over 400 college and university presidents and nearly 1,200 higher education leaders across, generating over 500,000 downloads. No one in higher education has had more candid conversations with sitting presidents about what's really happening in the sector—making him the industry's most connected voice on institutional strategy, innovation, and transformation.
But Joe's credibility doesn't come from just asking questions—it comes from answering them for over 25 years as an operational leader. He's scaled enrollment from hundreds to thousands of students. He's built entire divisions from scratch. He's led institutions through mergers and acquisitions. He's worked across every institutional type—non-profit, for-profit, residential, and online—giving him a perspective that spans the full spectrum of higher education challenges.
As Chief Industry Engagement Officer and Senior Vice President at Ellucian, the global leader in educational technology serving over 2,900 institutions worldwide, Joe now connects institutional leaders with the strategies and innovations they need to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. His role sits at the intersection of technology, operations, and institutional transformation—exactly where higher education's biggest challenges need to be solved.
The EdUp Experience
The EdUp Experience
The EdUp Experience
Dr. Joe Sallustio is the Co-Founder, Host, and Co-Producer of America's Leading Higher Education Podcast and America's Leading Higher Education Podcast Network. Beginning in January of 2020, The EdUp Experience has grown to surpass 505,000 streams (as October 2025) of its episodes and counting, interviewing leaders from all across higher
Dr. Joe Sallustio is the Co-Founder, Host, and Co-Producer of America's Leading Higher Education Podcast and America's Leading Higher Education Podcast Network. Beginning in January of 2020, The EdUp Experience has grown to surpass 505,000 streams (as October 2025) of its episodes and counting, interviewing leaders from all across higher education and beyond.
The EdUp Experience Podcast Network is an independent podcast network partnering with the brightest and most influential leaders and creators across education. With over 24 shows in the network, our collective goal is to facilitate positive educational change and inspire lifelong learning through podcasts, live casts, and other mediums.
Best Selling Author
The EdUp Experience
Best Selling Author
Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education
Through the Eyes of 100+ College & University Presidents
The colleges and universities providing 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
Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education
Through the Eyes of 100+ College & University Presidents
The colleges and universities providing 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.
Available NOW
Professional Experience
Chief of Industry Engagement
Ellucian
As Chief of Industry Engagement and Senior Vice President at Ellucian, the global leader in educational technology serving higher education, I am dedicated to shaping the future of learning through digital transformation and dynamic leadership. I drive transformative change across higher education at the intersection of technology, leadership, government relations, and strategic engagement, leveraging my ~25 years of experience in higher education institutions to spearhead industry collaborations, digital initiatives, and enhance institutional success and student outcomes worldwide.
I help guide higher education C-suites via global keynote speaking, moderating, and facilitating engagements—from boardrooms to international higher ed conferences—where I deliver actionable ideas and challenge audiences to reimagine what’s possible.
Vice President of Industry Engagement
Ellucian: 2024-2025
Foster strategic collaborations and drive initiatives to propel the digital evolution of higher education and enhance student outcomes. Ellucian's global influence includes servicing over 22M students.
Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer
Lindenwood University: 2022-2024
As the Chief Experience Officer, I worked between all student-facing departments to create a more efficient and student-centered experience at Lindenwood University. Students were at the center of decision-making by synergizing efforts and streamlining communication between departments. I oversaw the areas of residential enrollment, online enrollment, financial aid, student accounts, the center for diversity and inclusion, retention, advising, student affairs, student involvement, and food service.
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President
Claremont Lincoln University: 2018-2022
Current responsibilities include oversight and administration of system-wide operational performance through strategic leadership in planning, directing, and evaluating the business affairs of Claremont Lincoln University in accordance with its mission and direction from the Board of Directors. Areas of oversight include finance, financial aid, enrollment, marketing, human resources, compliance, student services, information technology, business-to-business relationships, and vendor management (1/2018 - Dec 2021).
**CLU named 2019 Higher Education Marketing Team Of The Year by the American Marketing Association**
Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing
National American University: 2015-2018
Guided enrollment, marketing, and operational efforts of the University to realize growth in enrollment, brand recognition, and revenue, by maximizing human potential and re-engineering and streamlining systems. Responsibility for compliance, system consistency, operational efficiency, and increased enrollment and marketing performance for over 40 ground and online campuses spread across the United States (2015-2017).
Vice President of Admissions
Heritage College: 2003-2015
Led and developed 80 staff members comprising the college’s student admissions, staff recruiting, and call center teams. Ensured compliance of admissions decisions with federal, state, and accreditor regulations. Partnered with Campus Executive Directors to advance central business strategy. (2003-2015)
Previous Roles Include:
Various Organizations:
Regional Director of Admissions, National Admissions Team Developer, Admissions Coordinator, Business to Business Sales.
AWARDS
Dr. Joe Sallustio named "EdTech Person of the Year" for 2024 by EdTech Chronicle
EdTech Chronicle’s Best in Education Awards recognize the industry, the partners, and people in education.