IngenioUs

We are excited to share with you our latest episode—a powerful conversation with Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson , President of San José State University. In this episode, we explore President Matson's journeyfrom being a first-generation college student to becoming a transformational university president. Along the way, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, the role of mentor...

Higher education is at a crossroads. With college closures increasing, public confidence declining, and financial pressures mounting, institutions must rethink what leadership looks like in this moment of crisis. What if the answer has been in front of us all along?  In her latest  ⁠ IngenioUs ⁠  blog,  Higher Education is in Crisis. Women Leaders May Hold the Key. ,  ⁠Melissa Morriss-Olson⁠  expl...

Leadership is a journey—one filled with unexpected twists,challenges, and, if you're lucky, a few game-changing 'aha' moments along the way. Our guest today, Dr. Barbara K. Mistick, knows this better than most. As the president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), she’s been at the forefront of higher education policy and innovation. But Barbara’s path to l...

What does it take to go from working on the assembly line atGeneral Motors to leading a college that transforms thousands of lives eachyear? Meet Dr. Annette Parker. As the longtime president of South Central College, Dr. Parker has dedicated her career to student success, workforce innovation, and breaking barriers. Her story is one of resilience, bold leadership, and a deep commitment to opening...

In his latest University Designs column and conversation, David Staley discusses the concept of plasticity in universities, drawing parallels with neuroplasticity in the human brain. He explores the challenges of institutional transformation and the importance of mindset shifts, as articulated in J essica Riddell' s work on hope circuits. The discussion emphasizes the need for universities to adap...

IngenioUs Leadership Series: The Power of Purposeful Leadership In this episode of IngenioUs , Melissa Morriss-Olson explores how visionary leaders ground their decisions in a deep sense of purpose, using their personal and institutional missions to drive meaningful change. Leadership isn’t just about holding a title—it’s about leading with conviction, aligning with your "why," and using...

In this engaging interview, President Tuajuanda Jordan of St. Mary’s College of Maryland offers an authentic glimpse into her inspiring leadership journey. Her unique blend of humility, resilience, and visionary thinking has guided her through transformative achievements at the institution and beyond. As she approaches retirement, President Jordan reflects on the forces that shaped her, the challe...

In this latest episode of  IngenioUs , we dive into the transformative leadership journey of  Dr. Elizabeth Meade,  President of Cedar Crest College. From her roots as a philosophy professor to becoming president, Dr. Meade’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and bold leadership. What sets her apart? Dr. Meade doesn’t just talk about change—she leads it through the lens of design thinking. Disco...

Leadership in higher education goes beyond operational management—it is about creating a culture that inspires every individual to unleash their full potential. Over five seasons of the IngenioUs podcast, Melissa Morriss-Olson interviewed over 100 college and university presidents, uncovering key themes that show how exceptional leaders shape environments where human experience and potential can t...

Welcome to Season 6 of IngenioUs! We’re kicking off this exciting new season, focused exclusively on women leaders in higher education, with a conversation you won’t want to miss. In this premiere episode, we sit down with Dr. Carol Christ, one of higher education’s most distinguished leaders, explores the defining moments of her remarkable career. From her trailblazing tenure as the first woman C...

In his latest University design column, David J. Staley explores the significance of body language and gestures in educational settings. He emphasizes the need for educators to be attuned to nonverbal cues from students and discusses how gestures can convey thoughts and ideas beyond spoken language. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology on communication, particularly in the con...

Season Six Premieres Next Week! We’re thrilled to share a special new season of the IngenioUs podcast with you! Season Six, launching next Tuesday, dives deep into the stories, insights, and wisdom of extraordinary women leaders in higher education. In a time of financial pressures, enrollment challenges, and the push for more inclusive campuses, women leaders are stepping up in remarkable ways to...

In his most recent University Design column, David J. Staley explores the concept of distributed academic leadership and the potential of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in transforming university governance. He draws parallels between the roles of university presidents and soccer coaches, suggesting that the current model often leads to accountability falling on a single individual....

Join us for this special mini-episode of the IngenioUs U podcast, where Dr. Lauren Way from Bay Path University and Julie Bryant, Vice President for Student Success at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, provide an exclusive preview of their upcoming Leading Edge webina r, Student Success: The Influence of Campus Climate .  🗓 Webinar Details:  In this mini-episode, Julie shares key insights into the webinar’s th...

With so many challenges facing enrollment leaders today, we must adopt innovative, data-driven approaches to stay competitive. In our upcoming Leading Edge Thinking in Higher Education webinar, we’ll explore insights from a nationwide survey of over 200 institutions, giving you a chance to benchmark your practices against the latest trends and learn about strategies like the effective use of KPIs...

In his latest IngenioUs Blog--University Design article, David J. Staley discusses the trend in higher education of prioritizing programs over faculty-student relationships. Highlighting the case of Wittenberg University, which plans to rely more on online course sharing and outside partners for student instruction, Staley questions the effectiveness of this approach and argues for the importance...

Our Season 5 IngenioUs podcast conversations brought us face-to-face with some of the most innovative and thoughtful leaders in the field. As we talked, common threads emerged—leadership principles that are shaping how these forward-thinkers are tackling the rollercoaster ride that is modern academia. In this Season 5 finale, IngenioUs host, Melissa Morriss-Olson, Ph. D . shares the 8 big ideas th...

In this final Season 5 episode, we explore the groundbreaking strategic partnership between Bay Path University and Cambridge College . Join host Melissa Morriss-Olson Ph. D. as she sits down with presidents Sandra Doran and Stephen Healey to discuss the visionary decision to join forces, amplify strengths, and create more opportunities for students. Discover how these two institutions navigated t...

Are you ready to revolutionize your admissions and marketing strategies? We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming  leading-edge webinar , “Using AI in Admissions, Marketing, and Beyond,” featuring industry trailblazers  Dr. Reena Lichtenfeld  and  Roger Lee  from Ruffalo Noel Levitz. This highly anticipated session will take place on August 27 at 12 PM Eastern Time. Dr. Lichtenfeld, Vice Presid...

In this episode, we are speaking with a highly creative and innovative thinker and leader, Dr. Hilary Link, president of Drew University. Dr. Link brings a unique perspective to university leadership, drawing from her background in Renaissance Italian literature and art. She'll share insights on navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, reimagining higher education for the 21st centu...

Joining us for this episode is Dr. Mark Reed , President of Loyola University Chicago , someone whose leadership is deeply rooted in the values and mission of Jesuit education. Dr. Reed’s career journey is a fascinating blend of diverse experiences, all tied together by his unwavering commitment to Jesuit principles. From his early days in service and teaching to his roles at Fairfield University...

Joining us for this episode is Dr. Nathan Long , the President of Saybrook University. Dr. Long's journey in higher education leadership is both unique and inspiring, beginning with his early days in residential life and culminating in his impactful presidency at Saybrook. With a background that spans residential life, music performance, senior administrative roles, and two presidencies, Dr. L...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. John Maduko, President of the Connecticut Community College system. With a medical degree and a background in healthcare, Dr. Maduko brings a fresh and holistic perspective to the world of higher education. His journey from medicine to academia is a story of adaptability, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to serving others. As one of the few college presid...

Joining us for today’s conversation is Allen Adamson , a true marketing wizard and the author of the fantastic new book, Seeing the How: Transforming. Transforming What People Do, Not Buy, To Gain Market Advantage Alan is not just any marketing expert—he's a visionary who has worked with some of the world's leading brands, and he's here to share insights that are highly relevant for hi...

In this episode, we delve into the journey of an exceptional higher education leader: Dr. Amy Bragg Carey, President of Kansas-based Friends University , whose leadership is characterized by vision, resilience, and faith-driven decision-making. Dr. Carey has navigated Friends University through a transformative journey, guiding it from a turnaround situation to a thriving institution. Her empoweri...