Degrees of Impact

In this episode, Seán Creighton sits down with Tamara Sniad, Executive Director of the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation at York College of Pennsylvania, to explore what it takes to build a culture of collaboration across an institution. Tamara shares how intentional structures, relationships, and leadership practices can create stronger connections across campus and move ideas into actio...

Earlier this year, we sat down with Bryan Alexander to discuss his latest book, Peak Higher Ed , where he explores the forces shaping the future of colleges and universities. One of the most urgent among them: climate change. In honor of Earth Day, we’re revisiting a powerful earlier conversation about his book Universities on Fire , which takes a deeper look at how climate change is already impac...

For more than a century, American higher education has operated on a simple premise: growth is good. More institutions, more students, more degrees -- all signals of progress. But what happens when that growth slows? In this episode, host Michelle Apuzzio is joined by futurist, researcher, and author Bryan Alexander to discuss his latest book, Peak Higher Ed . Together, they examine whether higher...

Student mental health has emerged as one of the defining leadership challenges in higher education. In this episode, Seán Creighton speaks with Sarah Doherty, Vice President of Collegiate Solutions at Alera Group , a national leader at the intersection of student wellness, health insurance, and institutional strategy. Drawing on her work with campuses across the country, Sarah offers insight into...

In this episode, we take a hard look at what real peer connection actually requires and why it’s so difficult to sustain. We're joined by Jackson Boyar , co-founder and CEO of RallyBoard , to explore a model that prioritizes intentional peer groups, shared responsibility, and human interaction over algorithm-driven noise. Together, we unpack what meaningful connection really looks like, how t...

We sit down with William G. (Jerry) Berberet , the 2025 recipient of the prestigious  Ernest L. Boyer Award and the founding executive director of what is now the New American Colleges & Universities. Jerry reflects on his decades in academia, the enduring moral vision of Ernest Boyer, the role of leadership and innovation, and his compelling, purpose-driven vision for higher education -- an i...

Florida Southern College President Jeremy Martin reflects on his first year leading the state’s oldest private institution. He discusses accessibility, tradition, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture , student needs, and the launch of FSC’s new School of Architecture . Host: Michelle Apuzzio Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people b...

We talk with Kelly Smith , assistant professor of Education at Russell Sage College , about how Positive Education is transforming teacher preparation and classroom culture. Drawing from her years as a teacher and administrator, Kelly shares how these practices help educators foster well-being, both for their students and for themselves, and how Russell Sage became the first college to partner wit...

Artificial intelligence has long been part of our world, but the rapid rise of generative AI has brought new urgency to questions of how we use it and how we use it responsibly. In this episode of Degrees of Impact , host Michelle Apuzzio speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Allan , assistant professor and director of the Institute for Responsible Technology at Nazareth University . Together, they explore the...

In the season six premiere of the (renamed!) NACU podcast, Barry Dornfeld, principal at the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) unpacks why change in higher education is uniquely complex, the common missteps leaders make when driving transformation, and how institutions can emerge from disruption positioned for long-term success while staying true to their missions. Drawing on his background as an...

In this episode, host Michelle Apuzzio spotlights a powerful model of applied learning at the University of La Verne . The Integrated Business Program helps students launch real businesses that create authentic community impact, all within a single semester. Michelle is joined by Program Director Rick Hasse and two standout students, Anthony Garrido and Malia Capistrano, who walk us through how th...

In an evolving job market, professionals need flexible, targeted learning opportunities to stay current and to determine if graduate education is the right next step. In this episode of the NACU podcast, Michelle Apuzzio speaks with Marcy Taylor, Program Coordinator at Hood College , about their innovative Skill Accelerator Badge Program . Learn how this short-form credentialing initiative is help...

Duwain Pinder , Partner at McKinsey & Company, explores some of the most pressing issues facing higher education today. He discusses innovation in the face of change, strategies for averting the demographic cliff, and why closing disparities is central to redefining ROI through the lens of equity. The conversation also connects these strategies to the sustainability challenges and pressures co...

Futurist Bryan Alexander examines the impact of climate change on higher education in his award-winning book, Universities on Fire: Higher Education in the Climate Crisis . He discusses multiple possible futures—one driven by innovation in teaching, learning, and campus design, and another, more dire scenario, marked by widespread institutional closures and the potential loss of climate change res...

With AI usage among students on the rise, how can educators ensure they’re fostering critical thinking rather than passive reliance? In this episode of the NACU podcast, we speak with Dr. Allison Seitchik, an associate professor of psychology at Merrimack College, who has been researching the ethical and effective integration of AI in education. Dr. Seitchik shares insights from her own learning j...

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Horowitz , Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System , to explore how technology is shaping the future of education. Although The Community Solution institutions are geared toward graduate and professional education, the rapidly evolving job market brings about a fundamental truth: the most valuable trait for college graduates isn’t just expert...

Improving student outcomes is a top priority for institutions, with student persistence—a student's determination to stay enrolled and work toward a degree or credential—being a key metric. In this episode, Samyr Qureshi, founder and CEO of Knack , a peer-to-peer tutoring platform, discusses how institutions can boost persistence rates by leveraging creating a network of peer tutors, ensuring...

We examine the important topic of student success with Drew Koch , the chief executive officer of the Gardner Institute which has been at the forefront of initiatives to improve student retention, equity, and academic outcomes for more than two decades. Drew discusses how the Gardner Institute works with institutions to assess, plan, and execute strategies that improve student success with measura...

Paul LeBlanc, retired president of Southern New Hampshire University and the 2024 NACU Ernest Boyer Award recipient , shares his remarkable journey from a first-generation college student to leading the transformation of SNHU into the nation’s largest online university. In this episode, he reveals the “secret sauce” behind SNHU’s success and tackles pressing issues in higher education, including a...

Chris Haynes , associate professor in International Affairs, National Security, and Political Science at the University of New Haven  talks about the changing nature of political science, the increasing political divide, and the impact of experiential learning on student development. Dr. Haynes is an expert on immigration, political framing, presidential elections, race and ethnicity, and the impa...

Imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence in navigating college can happen to anybody, but it can especially be a problem for students who are the first in their families to attend college. These feelings can lead to poor academic performance and a lack of engagement with the campus community, making the path to graduation more challenging.  Our guest is Julie Carballo, Assistant Dean of Students...

We discuss the story of how the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, born from the merger of two established institutions, undertook the complex process of rewriting its tenure code. As mergers in higher education become more common, the challenges of blending distinct cultures, policies, and faculty expectations are increasingly in the spotlight. Our guests are Linda Hanson, president emerita at Hamli...

The campus dining experience has evolved significantly over the last several years as institutions and their students are more focused on global and regional flavors, healthy options, and sustainability. This episode features a conversation with Mel Sweeney Fetzer, National Senior Vice President for Commercial Growth at Sodexo, which provides catering and facilities management to clients in 45 cou...

Hidden among the headlines about struggling institutions, there are stories of colleges that are thriving. In this episode we talk with Chris Hopey , president of Merrimack College , which was once a small liberal arts college and is now poised to become a R2 doctoral degree-granting research institution. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ide...

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered spring activities and college orientation for the class of 2020. Those young adults are this year's graduating college class. In this two-part episode, Liz Yates, dean of campus life at Moravian University , and Nicole Posluszny, assistant director for student engagement and leadership at Nazareth University , will talk about how their institutions p...