EdUp Provost

In this episode of EdUp Provost, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner speaks with Dr. Jan Yager, author of The Adjunct’s Handbook: A Survival Guide for Part-Time and Contingent Faculty. Drawing on her experience teaching at 12 institutions and on interviews with 60 adjuncts, full-time faculty, and administrators, Yager explains what academic leaders often misunderstand about contingent faculty and what they can...

In this episode of EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. Shawn Hartman, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Academic Search, to explore the changing dynamics of chief academic officer and presidential searches across higher education. Shawn shares candid insights into how macro-environmental pressures, financial realities, and rapid technological shifts like...

In this episode of EdUp Provost, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. Rebecca Pope-Ruark to examine the growing crisis of administrative leadership burnout in higher education. Moving beyond individual faculty experiences, Dr. Pope-Ruark shares key insights from her book Frayed, discussing why burnout is a systemic organizational issue rather than a personal failure, how gendered expecta...

In this episode, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. Joshua M. Walehwa, Special Advisor to the EVC/COO at Washington University in St. Louis and host of The Best Worst Thing Podcast, for a candid, high-level conversation on bridging the gap between enterprise operations and academic leadership. Drawing from his unique trajectory across student affairs, academic administrati...

For this episode, EdUp Provost host Gregor Thuswaldner sat down with Nadine Burquel, Director General of HUMANE (Heads of University Management & Administration Network in Europe), to discuss the evolving landscape of European higher education leadership. Their conversation explored the structural differences between European dual-governance systems and North American institutional models, emp...

In this episode of EdUp Provost, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Stephen Whitehead of Commonwealth University and 5th Hammer Innovation to discuss why great ideas in higher education so often stall before they become real change. Drawing on his consulting work, his military background, and his experience coaching academic leaders, Dr. Whitehead unpacks why execution—not creativity—is th...

In this EdUp Provost episode, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. B. David Rowe, Founder and President of Windermere Consulting, and Dr. Frank Boyd, Vice President of the Higher Education Practice at McAllister & Quinn to discuss how shared governance works, where it breaks down, and how it needs to change. Drawing on their experience as a college and seminary president, trustee, fa...

In this latest episode of EdUp Provost, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner welcomes back Joshua Thorpe, a learning designer at the University of Strathclyde and author of the newly expanded second edition of AI for Students, now published by Bloomsbury. The conversation explores the psychological impacts of "AI Vertigo," the shift toward process-based portfolios, the risks of parasocial relationships wit...

In this episode of EdUp Provost, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. Reema Zeineldin to discuss the critical role of leadership development in higher education. Dr. Zeineldin shares her insights on why succession planning should be a core faculty affairs responsibility, exploring how high leadership turnover can destabilize institutions and disrupt student outcomes. The conversation div...

In this EdUp Provost episode, which marks the beginning of the fifth season of ACAO's official podcast, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner interviews Dr. Eloy Ortiz Oakley and Dr. Zach Mabel about "The Golden Ticket," a study commissioned by College Futures Foundation and conducted by Georgetown University, examining the economic impact of California reaching a 70% educational attainment goal. The conver...

In this episode, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. Arthur Levine, President of Brandeis University and a leading voice in higher education. They discuss Dr. Levine's latest book, co-written with Scott Van Pelt, titled From Upheaval to Action: What Works in Changing Higher Ed. How can institutions successfully navigate demographic, technological, and cultural upheavals? Th...

In this special edition of EdUp Provost, recorded live at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Marjorie Hass, President of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), to explore the evolving role of AI in higher education — and what it means for institutions committed to their core values. Dr. Hass highlights CIC's partnership with ASU+GSV, which supports brin...

In this conversation, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. David Dausey, Provost and President-Elect at Duquesne University, for a rich and candid discussion about mission-driven leadership, the evolving role of the provost, and the mindset required to navigate transformative change in higher education. Dr. Dausey shares his deeply held conviction that fidelity to institutio...

In this episode, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Catherine E. O'Connell, Provost of Illinois College, as she shares the rich history, unique traditions, and bold initiatives shaping this historic institution. Now in her 10th year as Provost, Dr. O'Connell leads an institution approaching its bicentennial in 2029—the first college in Illinois to grant degrees and home to the...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Audra Spicer, the Provost and Acting President of CSU Global, discusses the unique model of CSU Global as a fully online university, its focus on career readiness, and the importance of flexibility for adult learners. She shares her journey within the institution, the challenges of transitioning to a leadership role, and the s...

In this conversation, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner interviews Dr. Raul Rodriguez, the Vice Provost of Woxsen University in India. They discuss the unique aspects of Woxsen University, including its residential campus and the challenges and opportunities of operating in the Indian higher education landscape. Raul shares his journey from a psychologist to an academic leader, emphasizing the importance of...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner (La Roche University), Dr. Iris Lafferty, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Capella University, discusses her educational philosophy, the unique mission of Capella, and the importance of competency-based education for working adults. She shares insights on balancing compliance with innovation, the challenges...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Roger J. Ward discusses the chapter on academic freedom and freedom of speech he wrote for the Chief Academic Officer’s Handbook: A Provost’s Guide to Visionary Leadership. Dr Ward explains the critical distinctions between academic freedom and freedom of speech, emphasizing their importance in higher education. He explores th...

In this conversation, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner and Dr. Kevin R. Carman discuss the chapter on “Self-Management for Provosts” they co-wrote for The Chief Academic Officer’s handbook: A Provost’s Guide for Visionary Leadership (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025). They offer insights on self-management for provosts, emphasizing the importance of building professional networks, stri...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Joan F. Lorden discusses her chapter, “At the Pleasure of the President,” from The Chief Academic Officer’s Handbook: A Provost’s Guide to Visionary Leadership (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025). She offers valuable insights into the provost’s relationship with the president, emphasizing the importance of trust, communicat...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Tondra De and Dr. Chris Heavey discuss the chapter on visible and shadow structures they wrote for The Chief Academic Officer's Handbook: A Provost’s Guide to Visionary Leadership. They examine the significant distinctions between visible and shadow structures in higher education, highlighting the importance of comprehending both...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Kathy E. Johnson and Dr. Beth Ingram discuss their chapter “Seasons of a Provost” in  The Chief Academic Officer's Handbook: A Provost’s Guide for Visionary Leadership (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025). They explore the often-overlooked topic of provost career transitions, the importance of aligning with presidential visi...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Patricia E. Salkin discusses the evolving role of the provost in higher education, emphasizing the essential skills required for effective leadership, the impact of COVID-19 on academic expectations, and strategies for crisis management. She highlights the importance of building trust with faculty, balancing administrative dut...

In this episode of the EdUp Provost Podcast, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner and Dr. Kevin R. Carman discuss the chapter on fundraising they co-wrote for The Chief Academic Officer’s Handbook: A Provost’s Guide for Visionary Leadership (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025). They delve into the evolving role of Chief Academic Officers (CAOs) in fundraising within higher education, exploring strategies...

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Forrest Anderson discusses the chapter on “What Makes an Effective Provost?” from the perspective of a dean.  Dr. Anderson stresses the fact that provosts need to balance vision with day-to-day operations, build trust with faculty, and emphasize the significance of kindness in leadership. He explores the challenges provosts fa...