IngenioUs

In this episode, we speak with someone whose name has become synonymous with transformative leadership in academia— Dr. E. Gordon Gee , President of West Virginia University. In his illustrious career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Gee has led some of the nation's most prestigious institutions, but what sets him apart is not just his longevity in leadership but his unwavering commitment...

In recent years, we've witnessed a trend that's reshaping the educational landscape, yet it's a story not often explored from a personal angle. We're talking about the closure of small colleges across our country - an event that's becoming all too common. These aren't just institutions ceasing operations; they're communities losing their heartbeat, students redirected f...

In this episode, we're speaking with a leader whose journey to the college presidency is as compelling as it is unconventional.  Dr. Helene D. Gayle , the 11th president of Spelman College discusses her leadership journey from the front lines of medicine and public health to the presidency of one of the most prestigious historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States....

Ever wondered if there’s more to universities than lecture halls and textbooks? David J. Staley's latest blog post in his popular University Design column brings an exciting perspective that could change how we think about education forever. In "Alternative Universities: Speculative Design for Innovation in Higher Education," Staley invites us on a journey to explore the possibilitie...

Higher education is changing fast. To keep up, we need leaders who think and act differently. In her upcoming Leading Edge Thinking in Higher Education webinar,  Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson  will share insights from  IngenioUs podcast  conversations with leaders who are succeeding during these increasingly challenging times.  Get inspired by  stories of impact : Real-life accounts of ingenious leade...

In this episode, we bring you a conversation that bridges the past, present, and future of educational innovation. Our guest is Dr. Richard Miller, whose journey from a rural farm in Tranquility, California, to the forefront of engineering education embodies a profound transformation not just in his life but in the very fabric of how we think about teaching and learning. As the founding president...

Welcome to this episode of the IngenioUs podcast, where we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Lori White , the visionary President of DePauw University . In today's conversation, Dr. White shares her inspiring journey from uncertain beginnings to leading one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the country. With a candid reflection on her path to the presidency, she delves into the...

In her latest blog article, "Short Term Pain or Long-Term Gain?", Kristine Barnett delves into the transformative journey of her college, standing on the precipice of a renaissance after navigating the tumultuous seas of change. This piece is a reflection on the delicate balance between addressing immediate challenges and investing in long-term strategic growth, a topic that resonates de...

Welcome back to another episode of our IngenioUs podcast, where we dive deep into the stories of those who shape the future of higher education. Today, we're thrilled to welcome a truly inspirational figure, Dr. Pam Eddinger, President of Bunker Hill Community College. Her story isn't just about the ascent to leadership; it's a testament to the power of education to cross borders and t...

In this mini-episode, we're setting the stage for a deep dive into the transformative shifts happening in strategic planning across the higher education landscape.  Amidst a period of significant change and adaptation, following the global pandemic and pivotal social justice movements of 2020, we're exploring how institutions are not just navigating but thriving through these challenges.  ...

Explore the ever-changing concept of a student in David Staley's latest insightful University Design blog article, 'The Idea of a Student.' Drawing on Michael S. Roth's historical view, Staley examines the varied definitions of a student across time and cultures. From learners who seek knowledge to those who aim to transcend it, the article breaks down ten distinct student types, s...

In today's episode, we're pleased to bring you our conversation with ⁠Dr. Brian Rosenberg,⁠ President Emeritus of ⁠Macalester College⁠, Visiting Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the author of the recently released thought-provoking book, ' Whatever It Is, I'm Against It.' Join us as we follow Dr. Rosenberg's career trajectory from Engl...

In an era often clouded by skepticism, it's essential to spotlight those leaders who dare to voice a different narrative—one that’s not only uplifting but rooted in a practical optimism that can genuinely steer us toward a better future. In her recent IngenioUs blog article , Morriss-Olson introduces the concept of informed hope, an approach that's neither naive nor inactive, but a strateg...

In this episode, we speak with Meredith College President, Dr. Jo Allen. As the first alumna to lead the college, President Allen has a unique and personal connection to the institution. During our conversation, we explore her path to becoming president and how her experiences have shaped her approach to leadership. Under President Allen's guidance, Meredith College has experienced transformat...

In this inaugural Season 5 episode, we host Dr. Andrew Hsu , the highly successful and innovative President of the College of Charleston . Dr. Hsu's journey is as unique as it is inspiring. Born in China during the tumultuous Cultural Revolution and later moving to the United States, his path has been anything but conventional. His transition from aeronautical engineering to the pinnacle of ac...

What happens at your institution when an accepted student is ready to join your community and says “yes” to your offer of admission? Is your institution ready for them?  The journey to student success (and retention) doesn’t begin when students arrive at your institution—it starts when they submit their deposit to your institution. How can admissions offices seamlessly “hand off” new students to t...

People often wonder about the origin of IngenioUs. As Dr. Morriss-Olson tells it, the podcast was born from a combination of necessity, curiosity, and a bit of serendipity during the pandemic lockdown. Starting small-- just a handful of people and online during those early days, each with a common interest in leadership--the podcast has grown to a whopping 21,000 people from all over the world, al...

As the landscape of higher education shifts, so too must the paradigms of leadership. As we conclude 2023, the call for visionary and transformative leaders—those who see beyond challenges to opportunities, who innovate and pioneer change—is more urgent than ever. Drawing insights from our Season 4 IngenioUs conversations, Melissa Morriss-Olson shares six big ideas that promise to redefine leaders...

In her latest IngenioUs blog article, Kristine Barnett asks us to consider the value of collective leadership in higher education, As she wisely points out, focusing solely on individual leaders can undermine the collaborative potential within academic teams. Higher education thrives when diverse perspectives and expertise are harnessed collectively; when all perspectives are honored and when ever...

 In his most recent  ⁠IngenioUs⁠  blog article,  ⁠David J Staley ⁠ asks universities to consider long-term visionary thinking as an important tool for ensuring their relevance. According to Staley, this means taking to heart the meaning of "visionary" leadership, something he suggests most university boards don't really want. As Staley astutely points out, the art of envisioning some...

In this mini episode of an IngenioUs, Dr. Lauren Way speaks with Dr. Reena Lichtenfeld, presenter for our upcoming leading edge thinking in higher education webinar entitled, 'From SMART Goals to Stellar Teams: The Power of Trust and Accountability.' In this webinar preview episode, we learn about the "Accountability With Care" system, an approach that equips higher ed leaders wi...

In her latest IngenioUs Blog article, Kristine Barnett suggests that the act of courageous leadership is not just about the destination but the journey of personal and professional development that goes beyond the institution's walls. And while not everyone is born with an abundance of "intestinal fortitude," Barnett says it can be nurtured over time through self-awareness, commitmen...

In his latest  ⁠IngenioUs University Design blog⁠  article,  ⁠David J. Staley ⁠ reviews a new, provocative collection of essays, edited by Seth Rudy and Rachael Scarborough King, entitled  ⁠ The Ends of Knowledge: Outcomes and Endpoints Across the Arts and Sciences  ⁠ (2023).  As others have pointed out, 'this is a book about why we do what we do, and how we might know when we are done.' G...

Academic leadership is an incredibly engaging discipline in its own right. You may hold a degree in educational leadership, have devoured countless books or articles, or relished a stellar podcast or two. Even among other leaders at diverse organizations – all striving for similar goals—the journey of a senior leader can be solitary. Many believe that leadership varies greatly across different ins...

I n his recent  Ingenious Blog  article,  David Staley  reviews Chris Gallagher's book " The Integrator",  which calls for a new vision for higher education. Gallagher is critical of the current push towards 'unbundling' and suggests that colleges and universities will need to be neither unbundled nor rebundled, but rather  integrated . Gallagher suggests that 'we need to...