Changing Higher Ed

Higher education institutions are facing a perfect storm of challenges that demand robust crisis management skills. From campus protests reminiscent of the 1960s to the lightning-fast spread of information (and misinformation) on social media, colleges and universities are navigating treacherous waters. How can they stay afloat – and even thrive – in this turbulent environment? Crisis Management i...

Addressing Student Mental Health in Higher Education: Expert Insights and Strategies Dr. Drumm McNaughton is joined by Tony Walker, Senior Vice President of Academic Programs at The Jed Foundation, and James Kohl, Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, to discuss student mental health in higher education. They share insights on current challenges, effective strategies,...

AI Integration in Higher Education: Miami Dade College's Innovative Approach Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami Dade College, discusses how the institution has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) across disciplines and integrated it into the student experience. She shares insights on developing AI programs, involving faculty, and addressing ethical considerations. Key Discussion Points Miami...

Dr. Courtney Brown, Vice President of Impact and Planning for Lumina Foundation, discusses key findings from the 2024 State of Higher Education Study conducted in partnership with Gallup. She shares critical insights into evolving student demographics, barriers to enrollment, and strategies for addressing challenges in higher education. Key Discussion Points The Changing Profile of Today's College...

Gil Rogers, founder and CEO of GR7 Marketing, joins Dr. Drumm McNaughton to discuss the current challenges faced by universities in improving their enrollment funnels, particularly in the context of emerging AI technologies. They share insights on the broken traditional funnel model, demographic shifts, affordability concerns, and reputation issues, addressing how AI can be leveraged to transform...

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, Drumm McNaughton welcomes back Dr. Zack Mabel, Research Professor and Director of Research, and Kathryn Campbell, Associate Director of Editorial Policy and Senior Editor/Writer, from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW). They discuss the findings of CEW's recent report, "The Great Misalignment: Addressing the Mism...

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Bruce Dahlgren, CEO of Anthology and trustee at Stetson University, explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. They discuss the parallels between human and AI development, address ethical concerns, and provide actionable recommendations for college and university leaders looki...

In Part 2 of this series, Drumm McNaughton, F. Joseph Merlino, and Deborah Pomeroy dive deeper into the strategies and approaches for driving transformative change in higher education, focusing on preparing teachers for the 21st century. They share valuable insights and real-world examples drawn from their extensive research and practical experiences. Key Discussion Points Change Theory and the Pr...

Transforming Teacher Preparation for the 21st Century In this two-part series, university presidents and higher education leaders gain valuable insights into the complex challenges of upgrading teacher preparation for the 21 st century and strategies for driving transformative change. In Part 1, Drumm McNaughton is joined by F. Joseph Merlino and Deborah Pomeroy as they identify and analyze the di...

Cesar Santalo, Dean of the College of Communications and Design at Lynn University, shares how he applies design thinking to drive innovation and change in higher education. The interview provides insights into how design thinking can transform universities to meet future demands through empathy, experimentation, and engaging all stakeholders in the process of innovation. Cesar's unique background...

In this episode, we welcome Dan Oppenheimer, Director of Public Affairs for the UT Austin College of Liberal Arts, to discuss Civil Discord, a recent conference at UT Austin that brought together scholars and writers from across the political spectrum for a series of moderated arguments on issues of great public significance.  Key Points Overview: Civil Discord was a unique collaboration between t...

In this Washington Update, we welcome back our frequent guest and public policy expert, Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies, who joins us to discuss the latest developments in higher education policy coming out of Washington. McNaughton and Netting dive into the significant revisions to Title IX regulations, detailing the implications for higher education. Podcast Overview: Revised...

With 98% of higher education institutions looking the same and offering similar programs, the challenge for any single institution to stand out is immense. This episode of Changing Higher Ed, features Allen Adamson, co-founder of MetaForce, discussing the importance of branding and marketing in differentiating higher education institutions in an oversaturated homogeneous market. Adamson shares his...

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Cassie Sanchez, Director of Education at   Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP). They discuss how WSP supports veterans in successfully transitioning to higher education. The conversation highlights the benefits these programs offer both to veterans and the institutions they attend, focusing on enhancing enrollment strate...

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, host Drumm McNaughton is joined by Chris Gilmore, VP of Education Dynamics Enrollment Management. With extensive experience in online higher education and various leadership roles, Chris shares valuable insights into the evolving landscape of student demographics and the strategic approaches institutions need to adopt to effectively engage nontrad...

Empowering Students for Career Success: Villanova's Innovative Approach In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Kevin Grubb, Associate Vice Provost for Career and Professional Development at Villanova University, about the innovative ways Villanova is preparing students for a successful start to their careers and setting them up to beat the odds of 43% under employme...

Program Integrity and Institutional Quality Committee: A Focus on Distance Education and the Return of Title IV Funds. In this episode, host Drumm McNaughton is joined by Tom Netting, president of 10 Government Strategies, to discuss the recent Neg Reg 2024 proceedings and their implications for higher education institutions. They explore the key issues addressed during the negotiations, including...

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton is joined by Amrit Ahluwalia, the incoming Executive Director for Continuing Studies at Western University. They discuss the evolving role and models of higher education institutions and the need for transformative change to remain relevant and sustainable in the evolving marketplace. Drawing from their diverse background...

  In this transformative era for higher education, institutions are at a crossroads, balancing traditional academic rigor with the urgent need for graduates who are immediately employable and adept at upskilling to meet rapidly changing business demands. Miami Dade College (MDC), under the visionary leadership of President Madeline Pumariega, stands out as a beacon of innovation and adaptability....

NYU is flipping the script on many traditional educational models and mindsets, embracing a strategic shift to offer alternative pathways to top-tier degrees. This strategic evolution reflects a profound commitment to access and flexibility, directly addressing the needs of an expanded demographic of students. Dr. Harrison shines a light on the practical implementations and thought processes behin...

NYU is responding to the large U.S. population that needs and wants affordable and flexible higher education that meets them where they are by creating unconventional pathways to top-tier degrees. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton is joined by Dr. Doug Harrison, the head of New York University's Applied Undergraduate Studies program at its School for Professional...

This episode of Changing Higher Ed explores the win-win partnership between universities and organizations like The Oasis Institute, which is dedicated to lifelong learning and community engagement for older adults.  Host Drumm McNaughton interviews Paul Weiss, President of The Oasis Institute, about the benefits of engaging seniors in higher education, from enriching classrooms to fostering commu...

Faced with an overwhelming number of complex issues, the higher education sector must urgently develop and adopt innovative business models to transform itself into a more accessible, affordable, and future-proof system. Dr. Melik Khoury, whose visionary approach and adaptation of the university business model has navigated his institution through tumultuous times and set a new standard for academ...

In this week's podcast, Dr. Melik Khoury, President of Unity Environmental University, shares the transformative journey of Unity from 500 to over 7,500 students and a budget increase from $14 million to $58 million.    Podcast Highlights   Our Inherited Academic Business Model is Cracking Under Pressure   Regulatory systems no longer hold up to the changes in higher education funding models post-...

Not all news in higher ed is doom and gloom. San Jose State University is shining bright at the heart of innovation, building public-private partnerships that boost enrollment, community relationships, and public opinion about higher education. In this inspiring discussion, Dr. Drumm McNaughton is joined by Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President of San José State University, who shares her insight...