HigherEdJobs Podcast

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dan Griffith, mediator, lawyer, and HR leader, addresses what to do when you suspect age discrimination played a role in a hiring or restructuring decision at your institution. Be sure to read the accompanying article, Am I a Victim of Age Discrimination? Separating Facts from Beliefs .

In this episode, Dr. Patrick Brugh, director of the Center for Staff Life Design at Johns Hopkins University, talks about how life design -- an approach originally built for students -- is now helping staff figure out where they want to go, who can help them get there, and why they should stay.

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dr. Emilio Ulloa, associate diversity officer for MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) Affairs and professor of psychology at San Diego State University, addresses how tenure-track faculty should approach the third-year review. He touches on points from his article Navigating the Make-Or-Break-It Third Year Review and explains why reframing the review as a diagnostic...

In this episode, Dr. Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explains how colleges and universities can better support student mental health through stronger campus-wide systems and more empowered practitioners. She examines how institutional silos create friction for students navigating support services, what faculty and staff can do to ha...

In this episode, Dr. Paul Tontz, assistant professor at Arizona State University, and Dr. Monteigne Long, director of veteran and military services for the Texas A&M University System, return to discuss Military Family Appreciation Month and what campuses can do to meaningfully recognize and celebrate military-connected students and their families.

In this episode Dr. Angel Pérez continues the conversation from part one, getting more personal about what it takes to lead in admissions -- burnout, boundaries, and balancing institutional needs with student access -- while reminding listeners why the work still matters.

Dr. Angel Pérez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), joins the HigherEdJobs Podcast to discuss college access, affordability, and enrollment challenges, and how admissions teams -- and entire campuses -- support students and shape their experiences.

In Part 2 of this conversation , Dr. Michelle Miller, professor of psychological sciences at Northern Arizona University, explores how attention shapes memory and learning, discusses the limits of “catching up” after distraction, and shares research-backed strategies for staying engaged, managing distractions, and supporting long-term student success.

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Miller of Northern Arizona University breaks down the science behind attention and how it shapes student learning and success. She explains how today’s constant distractions affect focus, what happens when students lose attention during key moments, and how that impacts memory and long-term understanding. The conversation examines how faculty can approach engagement i...

Mark Coldren, leadership and engagement specialist with CUPA-HR, returns to discuss temporary roles in higher education, sharing how professionals can evaluate risk, reward, and context when considering short-term opportunities as part of a long-term career strategy.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Tontz, clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University, and Dr. Monteigne Long, director of Veteran and Military Services for the Texas A&M University System, discuss their edited collection, " Supporting Military-Connected College Students: Applying Theory to Student Affairs Practice." They explore how support for military-connected students has evolved beyo...

In this episode, Mark Coldren, Leadership & Engagement Specialist at CUPA-HR and retired associate vice president for human resources at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), discusses how higher education professionals can pursue internal career growth without damaging relationships. He shares helpful ways to  time conversations, build credibility, and navigate opportunities while maintaining tru...

In this episode, Dr. Deborah J. Cohan discusses her  HigherEdJobs article, “General Education Deserves a Facelift.” She shares why general education is often seen as something to “get out of the way,” how it shapes student growth beyond the classroom, and how faculty and administrators can reframe its purpose.

What does the day-to-day work of a university chancellor actually involve? In this episode, Dr. Austin Lane, Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, joins the HigherEdJobs Podcast to discuss the responsibilities and realities of leading a major public institution. With more than three decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Lane reflects on his journey from student-facing cou...

What does it mean to be “on” in high-stakes moments like interviews, job talks, and presentations? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Moser, communication expert, performance coach, and professor of practice at Northwestern University, discusses how nerves affect performance and why preparation, audience focus, and flexible storytelling help professionals stay clear, conversational, and confident when th...

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Christopher D. Lee discusses how candidates should approach salary questions during interviews. He explains why preparation, market research, and understanding total compensation are essential, and advises candidates to avoid naming a single number too early, consider offering a range if pressed, and remain focused on role fit while negotiating thoughtfull...

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Brennan returns to the podcast to talk about heart-first leadership and what empathy looks like in action in higher education workplaces. Inspired by his article, “How To Be the Leader Everyone Actually Wants To Work For,” he shares several ways leaders can support overwhelmed teams and build psychological safety on campus. The conversation introduces the LASER method a...

In this episode, Leah Jackson, assistant director of editorial strategy at HigherEdJobs, joins the podcast to discuss keeping momentum after being hired. Drawing from her articles “4 Ways to Prepare for Your New Job” and “ Starting a New Job? Consider These Strategies for Success,” the conversation focuses on how higher education professionals can prepare for a new role and carry that energy into...

In this episode, Mark Need, venture legal analyst in residence at IU Ventures and professor and clinical director at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, joins the podcast to discuss how law degrees translate into careers across higher education. Mark shares guidance for JDs who want to work with students but struggle to break into higher ed without traditional academic experience, including h...

In this episode, HigherEdJobs contributor Joe Brennan’s article, “What I Learned From My Worst Interview Ever,” prompts a conversation about power dynamics, red flags, and professionalism in academic hiring. Andy and Kelly unpack how hostile interview behaviors often signal deeper cultural issues, why inappropriate questions matter, and how candidates can protect their confidence while assessing f...

In part two of the conversation, Dr. José Antonio Bowen and Dr. Edward Watson continue exploring how higher education can move from uncertainty toward thoughtful use of AI. They reflect on where human relationships still matter most, how AI can support expert thinking, and what responsible experimentation might look like as campuses adapt.

In this episode, Dr. José Antonio Bowen and Dr. Edward Watson join the podcast to discuss how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and faculty roles in higher education. They reflect on faculty anxiety, grief, and experimentation as campuses adapt to rapid change, and explain how AI is beginning to shift our relationship with knowledge, thinking, and creativity. The conversation also looks into wha...

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR leader Kathleen Hermacinski weighs in on whether it’s appropriate to reach out to someone who previously held a role you’re considering. She talks through when that outreach can be helpful, how to approach it respectfully, and why asking permission or being mindful of existing relationships matters in higher education’s close-knit environment. Kathleen also expla...

This second part of the year-end roundtable continues the conversation with the HigherEdJobs editorial team as they dig into a few more pieces that resonated this year. The group talks about supporting military-affiliated students during major transitions and why awareness across campus matters just as much as policy. They also reflect on emotional intelligence in moments when students question th...

In this end-of-the-year roundtable episode, members of the HigherEdJobs editorial team reflect on several standout articles and conversations from the past year. They discuss burnout and well-being across higher education, including why self-care looks different depending on role, career stage, and personal responsibilities. The group also explores the idea of the “inner taskmaster,” sharing how u...