About This Episode
In this episode of EDU Unlocked, Ashish Fernando sits down with Jonathan Koppell, President of Montclair State University, to explore what it really means to expand access to higher education while delivering meaningful outcomes.
Jonathan shares a clear perspective: access alone is not enough. Without an equal commitment to excellence and student success, the mission of higher education remains incomplete. He highlights that access must be paired with outcomes; it falls short of its purpose.
The conversation dives into the broader challenge of opportunity. Jonathan explains that when access to higher education is limited, talent, ambition, and potential across society are left underdeveloped. Creating systems where opportunity is widely available is not just an institutional priority, but a societal one.
He also reflects on the most meaningful part of his role, engaging directly with students. Through experiential learning, internships, and real-world exposure, he highlights the importance of helping students recognize and realize their own potential.
On the relevance of formal education, Jonathan offers a balanced view. While demand remains strong, as seen through record FAFSA completions, he raises important concerns around low completion rates and uneven post-graduation outcomes. He said that institutions should take greater responsibility for student careers and earnings, especially as students increasingly seek purpose and fulfillment in their work.
The conversation also touches on the role of AI, which Jonathan frames as an ongoing period of evolution, signaling both change and opportunity for institutions willing to adapt.
This episode offers a thoughtful perspective on access, accountability, and the evolving role of higher education in shaping student success.
Host & Guest
Jonathan Koppell
GuestJonathan G.S. Koppell is the President of Montclair State University, where he leads one of the largest and fastest-growing public universities in the northeastern United States. Since assuming the presidency in 2021, Koppell has focused on expanding access to higher education, strengthening student success outcomes, fostering innovation, and enhancing the university’s role as a driver of social and economic mobility. Under his leadership, Montclair State has advanced major strategic initiatives, including the historic integration of Bloomfield College into the university system.
Prior to joining Montclair State University, Koppell served as Dean of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and Vice Provost for Public Service and Social Impact at Arizona State University. During his tenure, he helped transform the college into one of the nation's leading schools focused on public service, community engagement, and social impact. His leadership contributed to significant growth in enrollment, academic programs, research activity, and community partnerships.
An accomplished scholar, author, and public affairs expert, Koppell's research focuses on governance, accountability, public administration, and organizational leadership. He has written extensively on how institutions build trust, create transparency, and navigate complex societal challenges. Throughout his career, he has championed the idea that universities must play a central role in addressing public needs while preparing students to become engaged citizens and future leaders.
Through his leadership in higher education and public service, Koppell continues to contribute to national conversations on institutional transformation, civic engagement, innovation in higher education, student success, and the evolving role of universities in society.
Key Highlights:
1. President of Montclair State University since 2021
2. Former Dean of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University
3. Nationally recognized scholar in governance, accountability, public administration, and organizational leadership
4. Led the historic integration of Bloomfield College into Montclair State University
5. Advocate for higher education as a driver of social mobility, civic engagement, and workforce development
6. Author of multiple books and publications focused on governance, transparency, and institutional effectiveness
7. Frequent speaker on leadership, public service, higher education innovation, and organizational transformation
8. Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and respected voice in public sector and higher education leadership circles.
Ashish Fernando Founder & CEO, EDMO
HostAshish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a master's in computer science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements:
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives
Show Notes
- 1 0:00 – Unlocking student potential beyond what they imagine
- 2 0:35 – Welcome to Edu Unlocked & introducing Jonathan Koppell
- 3 1:03 – AI, innovation, and separating signal from noise
- 4 1:32 – Which AI tools will become higher education essentials?
- 5 3:39 – Access alone isn't enough: the outcomes challenge
- 6 4:10 – Why access without excellence is a hollow mission
- 7 5:31 – Creating opportunity for every student to thrive
- 8 6:14 – A first-generation student's dream of becoming a university president
- 9 7:00 – Why broad access matters more than elite exclusivity
- 10 8:11 – The importance of staying connected to students
- 11 9:03 – Helping students discover what they're truly capable of
- 12 10:04 – The personal experiences that inspired a career in higher education
- 13 11:58 – Is higher education really losing its value?
- 14 13:20 – The completion crisis and the future of student success
- 15 15:18 – From first-generation students to first-generation professionals
- 16 16:37 – Why salary alone is the wrong way to measure education's value
- 17 17:37 – Final reflections on mission, access, and student outcomes
Key Quotes
“I don't think they're quite aware of what they're capable of. Part of what education is about is opening people's eyes to what's possible for themselves, their careers, and their communities.”
“Access without an equal commitment to excellence and outcomes is a hollow mission.”
“All the people saying college isn't worth it are sending their kids to college.”
Resources
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