Notre Dame de Namur University Names Dr. Joe Sallustio to Board of Trustees
News related to:Notre Dame de Namur University · 3 min read
Belmont, CA, Sept. 16, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Notre Dame de Namur University has elected Dr. Joe Sallustio to its Board of Trustees, bringing a wealth of higher education experience to the institution. Sallustio, a 25-year veteran in the field, will contribute his extensive background in student experience, operations, online education, technology, and institutional transformation to the board.
Dr. Sallustio currently serves as Chief of Industry Engagement at Ellucian, where he focuses on the intersection of technology, leadership, and policy in higher education. His appointment is seen as a significant step for NDNU as it navigates the evolving landscape of higher education and seeks to meet the needs of modern learners.
“His perspective will be especially valuable as NDNU continues to evolve its educational model, embrace new technologies, and strengthen its ability to meet the needs of today’s learners. We are delighted to welcome him to the Board.”
Throughout his career, Sallustio has held senior leadership roles across nearly every aspect of the student experience. As a Chief Experience Officer, he led functions including enrollment, marketing, financial aid, registration, advising, retention, and student affairs. His experience also includes serving as an executive vice president and chief operating officer, vice president of enrollment, and vice president of marketing.
“Joe understands that transformation requires more than new technology or new programs. It requires institutions to rethink the entire student experience around access, flexibility, relevance, and outcomes. His experience and national perspective will be tremendous assets as we shape NDNU’s future.”
In 2020, Sallustio co-founded The EdUp Experience, which has grown into one of higher education’s most recognized media platforms. Through EdUp, Sallustio and his colleagues have interviewed more than 1,400 higher education leaders, including over 500 sitting college and university presidents and chancellors. These conversations have provided him with a distinctive perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing colleges and universities across the country.
His work has expanded to include EdUp Leadership, which transforms insights from the platform’s extensive interview archive into searchable intelligence for higher education leaders and boards, and HigherEd PodCon, which brings together higher education media creators and leaders to examine how the sector communicates its value and tells its story.
Sallustio is also a nationally recognized speaker and moderator on artificial intelligence, governance, and the future of higher education. He works with conferences, governing boards, university cabinets, and system offices and leads AI bootcamps designed to help higher education leadership teams translate emerging technology into actionable institutional strategies.
Joe Sallustio. “NDNU has a remarkable 175-year legacy of expanding access to education while responding to the changing needs of the communities it serves. I am honored to join the Board of Trustees and look forward to working with President Kahanov, my fellow trustees, and the NDNU community to help build the next chapter of that legacy.”
Dr. Sallustio has authored three books examining the transformation of higher education: Beyond Survival: Reporting from The Front Lines of Higher Education's War for Relevance; Digital Transformation for Colleges & Universities: How Boards Shape Strategy for Success; and Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education.
NDNU continues to advance a future-focused strategy centered on serving graduate, degree-completion, and modern learners through flexible educational pathways, strengthening connections with employers and community partners, and using technology and innovation to improve the student experience.