Being a university president has its highs and lows. If you think about it, they are in charge of thousands of students. They manage hundreds of members and staff. They also manage the school's programs and community. They do all that and more while trying to ensure that it is affordable.

To talk about their school's issues, the university presidents of Notre Dame University of Maryland (Marylou Yam), Towson University (Kim Schatzel), and Coppin State University (Maria Thompson) sit down together.

They face their current challenges head-on, according to Biz Journals, a roundtable was conducted between them. Led by associate editor Carley Milligan, the three presidents talk about what it is like to be a woman in authority of a whole school, how it is like adjusting to their roles and how they address student debt.

Student debt is a big issue. "Ultimately, how long you stay in college determines how much you are going to take out on a loan and ultimately how much debt you have upon graduation," Thompson says. Coppin State is currently trying to reduce student debt. One of their priorities is to focus on getting students to study and out of debt. "They can get courses over the winter break, spring break, summer semester, stack the courses so that they can get in and out as soon as possible," says Thompson.

They talk about how it was easy and difficult as a president in their respective schools. Finance and budgeting plays a big part in whatever they do and the school plans on doing. Their aim is to create an experience for students that they can benefit from in terms of excellence and innovation. Making sure that their personal and institutional goals are met without the need of debt.

You can listen a portion of our their roundtable at the SoundCloud account here.

But still, millions of Americans are still in debt. Check the video below for more information:

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Topics Student Debt, Education, Financial Planning, Student Loans