September 30, 2025

Viewing College as an Investment with Rock Hall

What is college's place in today's rapidly-shifting world? Should we view it as an expense, or an investment? In this episode, Rakin "Rock" Hall explores all these questions and more.

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About the Episode

In this episode, Vice President of Enrollment at Ithaca College Rock Hall makes the case that college should be seen as an investment rather than just a cost. He shares insights on tuition discounting, the Ithaca Commitment, and the long-term value of a liberal arts education.

Rock also discusses how AI is reshaping admissions, from calculating GPAs to directing students to the proper staff to help them. He encourages families to view college as a journey, embrace difference, and see higher education as one of society’s greatest levers for opportunity.

Mentioned in This Episode

Ithaca Commitment

Guest

Rakin Hall, M.Ed.

A dedicated higher education professional with close to 30 years of service. Working for six institutions that vary widely has helped to frame my thinking and sharpen my acumen. A proven track record of growing enrollment deposits by as much as 24% within once recruitment cycle. Believes higher education is a transformative experience that benefits the global society.

Host

Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut.Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.