Campus Confidential

It’s hard to admit, but we’ve all done it! Dr. Sara Reed , Vice President for People & Talent at Western Governors University, is here to help us understand why we do it and what we can do about it. Plus she offers a few tips and tools for avoiding it. Listen in to learn what “the 4 Ps” are, how to use an organizational chart to manage your time, and ... finally ... resolution to the age-old q...

Have you ever faced the choice of speaking up or staying quiet? (Yeah, us too!) In this episode, Dr. George Grant , President of Saginaw Valley State University, tells us about a time he stood up to power, why celebrating failure unleashes innovation, how self-worth and voice are the backbone to risk-taking, and what skills he is still working on as a leader. Stick around for the extra credit to h...

It sucks to be told no! (Especially when it’s by the President!) It’s also an inevitable part of the job. Dr. Teri Hall, Vice President for Student Affairs at Wichita State University, tells us about a time she was told no and what she learned and offers advice about how to remain positive and not take it personally. (If your zodiac sign is Aquarius, you’ll love this episode!). Stick around for th...

Most of us will change jobs, if not entire careers, at least once. Jason Taylor , Managing Partner at The Annex Group, helps us understand what we can learn from baboons, scorpions, and frogs; why moms are the best career counselors; and steps you can take to evaluate the nagging feeling it might be time for a change (as well as why it’s also OK to stay right where you are!). Stick around for the...

Welcome to Season 3! To kick it off, Kelsey and Loren try a new “guest prompt” on each other. Listen in to hear Kelsey describe a time she had to deliver hard news to an employee, how she did it, and what she learned. And Loren recounts the time he felt underprepared for a big decision and how he got himself ready. They also describe this season’s new format, what a dream cruise is, and where they...

In the last episode of Season 2, we hear from association executives Mary DeNiro (ACUHO-I), Pam Watts (NIRSA) and Mike Moss (SCUP) as they reflect on the leadership research we’ve been discussing, tell us how their associations are changing to meet higher education needs, and what they have had to “unlearn to relearn” as leaders themselves. Stay for the Extra Credit to hear what we have planned fo...

Want to know how to lead more courageously? Bob Shea (UNC Greensboro), Amanda Bailey (Boston University), and Dr. TJ Logan (Brailsford & Dunlavey) give us a master class on how (and when!) to speak truth to power, why managing culture is as important as managing information and why love is the foundation to courage (yea, seriously!). And, don’t be afraid to stay for the Extra Credit to hear Ke...

As we near the end of our series on the state of the higher ed workforce, Lisa Walker (The Equity Group Consulting) and DJ Pepito Chavez (Society for College and University Planning) explain the difference between employee sense of purpose and sense of belonging, what contributes to burnout, and why leaders should think “dial” rather than “light switch” when supervising others. If you’re looking f...

In this episode, we’re joined by Earl Cabellon , Director of Staff Experience and Culture at the University of Maryland, and Dr. Erin Patchett , Director of Administration and Assessment at Colorado State University. They help us understand why belonging is essential to employee productivity, satisfaction, and retention; what needs to be unlearned to be relearned; and what supervisors can do to cr...

So ... how does this thing even get made?! In this Memorial Day edition, we let listeners in on our secrets: How we find a good teaser clip, what goes into writing episode descriptions, what is a “cold open,” why you never hear sneezes and hiccups, and how to rewind on an iPhone. Yea, it’s kind of like Magic! (That, and we have Corey.) Enjoy! Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and p...

In this episode we “turn the sofa” and get to ask the questions! Executive Coach and Author Jennifer Clevidence and Dr. Todd Sevig, University of Michigan Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, explain how to recognize burnout, how to avoid wellness hacks to create true well-being and how to create boundaries for your own self-care. Give yourself the gift of pausing and reflecting whil...

What’s more important than transparency? How do you shift from care as emotion to care as infrastructure? Which meetings should you just skip? (Hint: The answer starts with three Ps!) Dr. Mordecai Brownlee (Community College of Aurora President) and Mary Janz (Marquette University Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life) provide TONS of ideas about how to create workplace well-being and e...

If you want to know more about why people leave jobs, what’s at the root of (almost) all workforce morale issues, and the easiest solution in the world that costs nothing, (and... the lie Kelsey was told to get her to change jobs), this episode is for you! Talent management experts Molly Kurth (Compass Group Sr. VP for HR, Learning and Talent Development) and Dr. Julie Leos (Spelman Johnson Search...

In this episode we hear from Elaine Hanke (University of Michigan), Dr. Bernard Little (Prairie State College) and Jared Ceja (Cal Poly Pomona) about attracting and retaining staff. They share what they notice about the workforce, question higher education practices, reflect on what they need to unlearn and give us tips on attracting and keeping people. (Listen close for these nuggets: feedback El...

Howdy! If y’all thought our trip to Austin for SXSW EDU would be all hat and no cattle, this is the episode for you! Listen in to hear Kelsey and Loren describe hosting the Placemaking & Belonging Meetup, and hear attendees talk about the impact of architecture, the importance of social programming and how one’s personal identity influences sense of place. (And if this is your very first episo...

OK, let’s hear from the experts! Dr. Andy Brantley , President and CEO of CUPA-HR, and Jami Painter , Sr. Associate VP and Chief Human Resource Officer for the University of Illinois System, explain what it means to be an employer of choice, how leaders can build trust with remote staff and simple things supervisors can do to retain employees. (Hint: Kelsey and Loren appreciate you for listening!)...

Why is satisfaction declining? And what can we do about it? In this first in a series of episodes on the future of leadership, E15's Erin Moore Ruddy and Elyse Bais share their research on the higher education workforce and what leaders can do to address burnout, increase well-being and restore optimism for the future. There is a path forward. (Stick around at the end for details on Kelsey’s a...

Welcome to Season 2! In this first episode, Kelsey and Loren lay out the direction of this new season. Using insights from a leadership research study, we will bring in a slate of expert guests to share practical tips and real stories on improving employee satisfaction, retention and well-being. Listen in as your hosts get back behind the mic after a little break. (And stay tuned during Extra Cred...

Well, that’s a wrap on Season 1! In this episode, Kelsey and Loren let you in on some secrets: favorite moments from the year, what leadership lessons they still need to practice, and even whether they thought they’d make it a whole year. This is an extra short end-of-year episode with a bunch of laughs, so gather the family and take a listen. See you in Season 2! Campus Confidential is presented...

In this episode, recorded live at the annual NACAS conference in Toronto, we hear Gheretta Harris (University of Virginia), Jared Ceja (Cal Poly Pomona Foundation), and Dr. Mike Porritt (Scion Advisory) talk about what they look for in job applicants, if decisions should be made with data or intuition and how theme parks can prepare you for a career in higher education. The gates are open – get on...

Rick Bayless, nuns, and mountain bikes – no, this is not the beginning to a joke! But each is fundamental to the lives and careers of Chartwells Higher Ed Chief Brand Officer Salli Darden and Workshop Architects Founding Principal Jan van den Kieboom. In this episode, we introduce you to two people in OUR leadership circle. We hear how they got started (it’s different than you think!), what joy an...

What does selling tires have to do with higher education? More than you think! In this episode, Dr. Martino Harmon, Vice President for Student Life at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, describes his circuitous (and fortuitous) career path, how mentors shaped his life and why you should never break a crystal ball! Take a peek inside! Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produce...

Although he won’t take rides from strangers, Paul Brailsford’s career has been full of purposeful risk. Co-Founder and CEO of Brailsford & Dunlavey , Paul shares with us how words can impact self-perception, why effort and discipline are vital for success, and what it means to be a good mentor. Plus, we find out what book he gives to all new employees. Come along for the ride! Campus Confident...

What can growing mold teach you about yourself and your career? Julie Payne-Kirchmeier, Vice President for Student Success at Indiana University, has traveled from Howdy to Hoosier and along the way learned that feedback is a gift, doing hard things can’t come at your own expense, to test the water temperature before jumping in, and why it’s advisable to avoid both orange and goat rodeos! Campus C...

Ever wondered what people think about your university? Dr. Liz Gross, Founder and CEO of Campus Sonar, tells us it’s called “social listening.” Yeah, we didn’t know that either! In this episode Liz explains why you should present a vision rather than ask for permission, how to create a safe and transparent work culture, and how working in the private sector doesn’t mean you left higher education....