Designing Libraries Conference: How Library Staffing and Services are Changing
How are library staffing and services changing? Elliot Felix answered these questions in a presentation and discussion at the Designing Library conference. He talks about how libraries are offering new programs and new projects and offering them with new partners - and how these means staff are playing new roles and working at a new pace, with new technologies with new processes. This means that spaces are used, measured, and managed differently and that staffing structures need to change as well.
How are library staffing and services changing? Elliot Felix answered these questions in a presentation and discussion at the Designing Library conference. He talks about how libraries are offering new programs and new projects and offering them with new partners - and how these means staff are playing new roles and working at a new pace, with new technologies with new processes. This means that spaces are used, measured, and managed differently and that staffing structures need to change as well.
Planning for Uncertainty: An Introduction to Scenario Planning
With technology, demographics, and education policy changing, how can colleges and universities plan for uncertainty? With scenario planning! Elliot Felix led a scenario planning workshop with the emerging leaders program for The Society of College and University Planners (SCUP). In the session, Elliot introduces scenario planning drawing from his book The Connected College (pages 224-225 to be precise), then walks through an example, then conducts a scenario planning exercise, and takes questions along the way. [Note that the exercise is removed to protect participants’ privacy]
With technology, demographics, and education policy changing, how can colleges and universities plan for uncertainty? With scenario planning! Elliot Felix led a scenario planning workshop with the emerging leaders program for The Society of College and University Planners (SCUP). In the session, Elliot introduces scenario planning drawing from his book The Connected College (pages 224-225 to be precise), then walks through an example, then conducts a scenario planning exercise, and takes questions along the way. [Note that the exercise is removed to protect participants’ privacy]
Continuous Improvement Summit
In this webinar from the Continuous Improvement Summit 2026, Elliot Felix presents the "secret sauce" for unlocking effective collaboration to drive student success based on The Connected College. He explores how to overcome barriers by implementing a five-part framework of strategy, governance, structure, co-location, and assessment. By sharing real-world examples from institutions like the University of Miami and NYU, Elliot demonstrates how consolidating services and fostering a culture of continuous improvement can significantly increase student satisfaction and retention.
In this webinar from the Continuous Improvement Summit 2026, Elliot Felix presents the "secret sauce" for unlocking effective collaboration to drive student success based on The Connected College. He explores how to overcome barriers by implementing a four-part framework of strategy, governance, structure, co-location, and assessment. By sharing real-world examples from institutions like the University of Miami and NYU, Elliot demonstrates how consolidating services and fostering a culture of continuous improvement can significantly increase student satisfaction and retention.
Student Affairs Now
In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Keith Edwards interviews Betsy Cracco, Stephane Belisle, and Elliot Felix about the often-overlooked impact of the built environment on student learning and well-being. They dive into shifting away from "atomized" private spaces toward intentional "third spaces" that foster community, the role of residence hall design in combating the student loneliness pandemic, and practical ways to make support services more visible and normalized through spatial "nudges" as Elliot shares the holistic approach to student success from the "Connected College."
In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Keith Edwards interviews Betsy Cracco, Stephane Belisle, and Elliot Felix about the often-overlooked impact of the built environment on student learning and well-being. They dive into shifting away from "atomized" private spaces toward intentional "third spaces" that foster community, the role of residence hall design in combating the student loneliness pandemic, and practical ways to make support services more visible and normalized through spatial "nudges" as Elliot shares the holistic approach to student success from the "Connected College."
Book Talk @ Yale: Engaging Communities, Redesigning Services, and Shaping Culture
In this book talk at Yale University Elliot Felix shares insights from The Connected College on engaging communities, redesigning support services, and shaping culture. For each he shares key statistics to frame the problem and define the opportunity along with stories – from The New York Public Library, the University of Miami, and the University of Michigan, respectively. Along the way, he provides practical strategies to help colleges and university drive student success through belonging, collaboration, and partnerships.
In this book talk at Yale University Elliot Felix shares insights from The Connected College on engaging communities, redesigning support services, and shaping culture. For each he shares key statistics to frame the problem and define the opportunity along with stories – from The New York Public Library, the University of Miami, and the University of Michigan, respectively. Along the way, he provides practical strategies to help colleges and university drive student success through belonging, collaboration, and partnerships.
EdUp Author Insights
In this episode of EdUp Author Insights, hosts Chuck Ambrose and Mike Nietzel interview Elliot Felix about his journey, lessons learned from consulting with 100+ institutions, and insights from The Connected College. They divide into using design thinking to break down silos, libraries as student success hubs, practical strategies to do less with more focus—and sunset duplicative services, engaging faculty using Rogers’ framework, the future of athletics integration, and how to measure what matters: belonging, retention, and post-grad outcomes.
In this episode of EdUp Author Insights, hosts Chuck Ambrose and Mike Nietzel interview Elliot Felix about his journey, lessons learned from consulting with 100+ institutions, and insights from The Connected College. They divide into using design thinking to break down silos, libraries as student success hubs, practical strategies to do less with more focus—and sunset duplicative services, engaging faculty using Rogers’ diffusion of innovations framework, the future of athletics integration in an era of NIL and transfer portals, and how to measure what matters: belonging, retention, and post-grad outcomes.
Transformative Leadership Conversations
In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, host Winnie da Silva sits down with Elliot Felix to explore what higher ed leaders – and really, leaders everywhere – can learn about breaking silos, designing better student experiences, and leading through complexity and change. Elliot brings stories from campuses across the country, along with practical tools and a fresh way of thinking about leadership.
In this episode of Transformative Leadership Conversations, host Winnie da Silva sits down with Elliot Felix to explore what higher ed leaders – and really, leaders everywhere – can learn about breaking silos, designing better student experiences, and leading through complexity and change. Elliot brings stories from campuses across the country, along with practical tools and a fresh way of thinking about leadership.
Community and Belonging for Student Success
The fifth in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to build community and foster belonging so that students succeed. Elliot share insights from The Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Susan Rivera (Macalester College), James Vasquez (University of Southern California), and Jeff Doyle (University of Texas Austin).
The fifth in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to build community and foster belonging so that students succeed. Elliot share insights from The Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Susan Rivera (Macalester College), James Vasquez (University of Southern California), and Jeff Doyle (University of Texas Austin).
Health and Wellbeing for Student Success
The fourth in a series of webinars showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to promote health and wellbeing so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights from The Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Kelly Miller (University of Miami), Dan Maxwell (University of Houston Downtown), and Mary Ellen Gillespie (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association).
The fourth in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to promote health and wellbeing so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights from The Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Kelly Miller (University of Miami), Dan Maxwell (University of Houston Downtown), and Mary Ellen Gillespie (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association).
Data and Decision-Making for Student Success
The third in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to use data to make better decisions so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights fromThe Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Will Miller (Embry-Riddle), Peggy McCready (Colorado State University), and Lora Strigens (Marquette University).
The third in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to use data to make better decisions so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights fromThe Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Will Miller (Embry-Riddle), Peggy McCready (Colorado State University), and Lora Strigens (Marquette University).
Connecting Courses to Careers for Student Success
The second in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to use data to make better decisions so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights fromThe Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Maggie Tomas (University of Minnesota), Terry Brown(AASCU), and Sukwant Jhaj (Arizona State University).
The second in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how to use data to make better decisions so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights fromThe Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Maggie Tomas (University of Minnesota), Terry Brown(AASCU), and Sukwant Jhaj (Arizona State University).
University-Industry Partnerships for Student Success
The first in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how universities can create and sustain industry partnerships so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights fromThe Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Tom Ellett (Quinnipiac University), Liesl Riddle (George Washington University), and Joe Sallustio (Ellucian).
The first in a series of webinar showcasing the innovators profiled in The Connected College, this session dives into how universities can create and sustain industry partnerships so that students succeed. Elliot shares insights fromThe Connected College and then moderates a panel discussion with Tom Ellett (Quinnipiac University), Liesl Riddle (George Washington University), and Joe Sallustio (Ellucian).
Book Talk @ Rutgers Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute
In a virtual book talk with Rutgers Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute, Elliot shared insights from The Connected College and his consulting work with 100+ colleges on how higher ed leaders can work together to help students feel a connection to their communities, connect students with support services, and connect coursework to rewarding careers.
In a virtual book talk with Rutgers Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute, Elliot shared insights from The Connected College and his consulting work with 100+ colleges on how higher ed leaders can work together to help students feel a connection to their communities, connect students with support services, and connect coursework to rewarding careers.
AJCU Annual Meeting Keynote (Excerpt)
How can better connected colleges and universities enable student success? What can institutions do to get over, around, or through barriers like strategy, structure, and culture so they can bust silos, question tradition, and make bold decisions? Elliot answers these questions in this 35 min talk (w/ Q&A removed) from his keynote at the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Annual Meeting.
How can better connected colleges and universities enable student success? What can institutions do to get over, around, or through barriers like strategy, structure, and culture so they can collaborate internally and partner externally? What evidence and examples can inform and inspire us as we bust silos, question tradition, and make bold decisions? Elliot answers these questions in this 35 min talk (w/ Q&A removed) from his keynote at the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Annual Meeting.
Align Your Offerings, Organization, and Operations
How can you align the services and programs you offerings, how your team is organized, and how you operate to maximize student success? Elliot answers these questions in this 15 min except of his workshop at the Institute for Student Services Professionals annual conference, based on my books and my consulting work with more than a hundred colleges and universities.
The Role of Space in Student Success
What roles can space play in enabling college student success? In this 20 minute talk at the Urban Land Institute’s University Innovation and Development Council, Elliot answer this question in three parts: fostering community and belonging, providing support services, and enabling experiential learning like real-world class projects.
Ten Steps to Library Service Transformation
Elliot presented "Ten Steps to Library Service Transformation" at the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) 2024 Spring Meeting and participated in a panel discussion with Mary Ann Mavrinac and Megan Waters that was moderated by Diane Bruxvoort. In this ~15 minute talk, he covers needs assessment, benchmarking, goal setting, service design, partnership strategy, and organizational design for student success.
Elliot presented "Ten Steps to Library Service Transformation" at the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) 2024 Spring Meeting and participated in a panel discussion with Mary Ann Mavrinac and Megan Waters that was moderated by Diane Bruxvoort.
EDUCAUSE: Meeting Students Where They Are
Elliot was interviewed about the Learning Lab he teaches for EDUCAUSE on understanding and improving student experiences. The online class, taught in four sessions over a month, actively engages folks from academic technology, libraries, academic affairs, and student affairs so that they better understand their students, they needs, and how they are changing. Then, it takes them through a process of envisioning better experiences using design thinking “canvas,” prototyping, and guest speakers. This interview recaps highlights of the course.
Elliot was interviewed about the Learning Lab he teaches for EDUCAUSE on understanding and improving student experiences. The online class, taught in four sessions over a month, actively engages folks from academic technology, libraries, academic affairs, and student affairs so that they better understand their students, they needs, and how they are changing. Then, it takes them through a process of envisioning better experiences using design thinking “canvas,” prototyping, and guest speakers. This interview recaps highlights of the course.
UVA Walentas Scholars: 11 Ways to Get the Most Out of College
Elliot facilitated a workshop for first year Walentas Scholars at UVA. The Walentas Scholars are first-generation students with exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship. He covered 11 key tips from How to Get the Most Out of College and facilitated a “find your focus” activity to help students think about future majors and careers – and ways to explore and test these directions.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD): How to Get The Most out of College
Elliot spoke in the first year seminar at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). He shared insights from How to Get the Most Out of College on owning and designing your college experience. He covered 10 key tips from the book on understanding your strengths, setting goals, getting involved, asking for help, real-world class projects, internships, mentoring, and leadership. He also facilitated a discussion with students on the highlights and challenges in their first year.