My first Blog ever: a moment of silence please to celebrate this accomplishment. I'm not sure exactly what I mean by the secrets of higher ed. I don't have a list to post if that is what you were hoping for: sorry about that I realize lists are popular. I worked for many years in various colleges and universities: three different community colleges over about ten years, about three years at a private liberal arts college loosely church related (Methodist) and 14+ years in a regional state university. My positions ranged from teaching various courses (though never a real "professor") through various positions in student academic support - like advisor, etc. Until last summer I was the Director of a Student Support Services program which was aimed at increasing the success rate of students coming from low-income, first-generation backgrounds. I loved this job and the program itself. I really believe that I was able to make a difference in the lives of students who were highly unlikely to be successful in higher ed based on their social class background alone. So this is the first "secret": social class upon entry is the bigger predictor of college success! Which I feel is appalling and most be changed somehow! Now I hope someone will read this post and ask me questions so I can figure out what to say next.