Verba | VitalSource Coffee Chat

Join Heather Dean, Assistant Director at the Iowa State University Book Store as we talk about the impact of change in this episode. Listen in as we discuss how change is evolving the campus store industry. The course materials business has transformed the relationship with those that it connects moving beyond just retail transactions. Learn how the team at Iowa State continues to adapt and thrive as they take on change, head first, to create a superior student experience.

In this episode, we are joined by John Eckman, Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Services at Appalachian State, and Aaron Ochoa, Director at UC Davis Stores to talk about Equitable Access. Listen in as we discuss the benefits of the model, how to create a pricing structure that works for your institution, and ideas for getting stakeholder buy-in. Learn how Equitable Access is changing the course materials business while driving access and affordability for all students.

In this episode, your favorite data-nerds, Jared Pearlman and Ryan Petersen sit down to reflect on the most recent oven-fresh data from the fall 2021 term. Listen in as they discuss comparative trends in student purchasing behavior as well as market share developments between new, used, rental and digital. Discover how day-one access models are performing and transforming course materials delivery.

Join us for this episode as we sit down with our own Kellie Ranum and Mike Clear, Director of Business Development at Watchman Payment Services to talk about breaking down barriers when scaling inclusive access programs. Listen in as we share critical insight into understanding the silos at an institution, how to help student dollars go further, and the impact technology has in streamlining campus store workflows. Hear success stories of campus stores that have transformed their programs and broken down the barriers at their institutions.

In this episode, our own Kathleen Hayes sits down with Meredith Schreiber, Director of Auxiliary Services at Chemeketa Community College to talk about how the campus store team at Chemeketa is providing free digital course materials to students using CARES Act funding. Listen in as Meredith shares how her team plans to execute the program and make a big impact on all students.

In this episode, we sit down with Phil Hill, Publisher of PhilOnEdTech blog and Partner at MindWires, and our own, Kent Freeman, CEO of VitalSource. Listen in, as we talk about the acceleration of change in higher education and the impact that change has on students, faculty, and stakeholders inside the higher ed space.

Join us as we break down the results of the most recent Student Watch Survey conducted by the National Association of College Stores. We sit down with Brittany Conley, Research Analyst at NACS, to digest the key data points. Listen in as we talk about the shift in course materials spending, how digital course materials expanded their reach, and what students are saying about the value of inclusive access programs.

In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Conley, Research Analyst at the National Association of College Stores to digest the key data points from the most recent Faculty Watch Survey produced by NACS. Listen in to learn how course material costs are declining, how the LMS is taking the lead role with faculty, and how faculty preferences are shifting from print to digital. This episode is packed full of fun data points that will have you looking at your course material strategy in new ways!

In this episode, we sit down with Julie Banks, Bookstore Director at the University of Dayton in Ohio, and Chad Stith, Retail Systems Program Manager at Verba | VitalSource to talk about the role digital is playing in course materials strategies across campus stores. Julie shares her wisdom and the outcomes of her decision to eliminate the physical rental program at her campus. Listen in as we talk about the financial impact as well as the student and stakeholder perceptions.

Listen in as Jared and Ryan sit down to answer your questions from their data-driven strategies presentation at the ICBA 2021 Virtual Conference. Hear how student purchasing trends have changed, inclusive access pricing continues to drive student savings, and the evolution equitable access will create for campus stores.

In this episode, Jared chats with fellow data-nerd, Nick Brown, Director of Learning Platforms at VitalSource. Listen as Nick shares insight into student behaviors inside digital course materials, steps Campus Stores can take to increase engagement, and his vision for how the landscape will continue to evolve for digital course materials.

Listen in as Ryan sits down with Ed Schlichenmayer, CEO of the National Association of College Stores to chat about what the new year holds for campus stores. Hear what innovative ideas are capturing the attention of NACS, insights on how campus stores will continue to evolve, and what to expect at the reimagined CAMEX 2021.

Listen in as we sit down with Allison Hartel, the Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach at CU Boulder Book Store to chat about all things marketing! Now more than ever, campus stores need to stay competitive in promoting their store offerings. In this episode, Allison shares all her insight and wisdom.

In this episode, we’re talking to Suzanne Donnelly from The Bronco Bookstore at Cal Poly, Pomona and our own very own Tom Hirtzel. Listen in as Suzanne shares how she worked to grow the store’s Instant Access program to achieve a 400% increase in IA adoptions for the recent fall term!

Jon Bibo, CEO of ICBA, joins Jared to share his thoughts on ICBA’s evolving role, how the pandemic will shape the industry in the short and long term, and how stores are evolving to meet the moment. Need one more reason to listen? Hear Jon and Jared discuss their shared love of guitar and rock and roll.

The role of the course material manager has evolved as stores scale digital programs. What does that look like for course material managers? We chatted with Dave Urbany, Textbook Manager from West Chester University Campus Store, to learn about the changes happening in his day-to-day responsibilities.

2020 may not have gone as most of us planned, but campus store teams have shown resilience and the ability to pivot quickly. Join Jared and Ryan as they share their perspective on what stores have done to successfully adapt to the ever-changing environment and what trends they think are here to stay.