Life in Higher Ed

Send us Fan Mail Higher education is navigating a polycrisis, a confluence of demographic shifts, economic instability, political hostility, and technological disruption that has pushed American colleges and universities into a period of managed decline. Bryan Alexander joins us to explore what that means for the future of higher ed. While agency is unevenly distributed, we all have choices to mak...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore why the ability to craft and share meaningful stories is essential to effective leadership, sense‑making, and trust‑building in complex organizations. Joining the conversation are Trish Beck and Denise Nelson Nash, co‑authors of Trinity of Leadership: Learners, Thinkers, Tinkerers , and thought leaders whose work examines how leaders use narrative to cl...

Send us Fan Mail More than half of U.S. college students now attend institutions in states where new laws and policies restrict what can be taught and how campuses can operate, according to a new PEN America report. In this conversation, Jonathan Friedman and Amy Reid explore how these constraints are reshaping student learning, faculty work, and the vital research that transforms curiosity into i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with R. Todd Benson from COACHE (Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education) to explore what makes faculty mentoring truly effective. Todd shares insights from COACHE's extensive research on faculty job satisfaction and workplace climate across hundreds of institutions. We discuss the data-driven elements that contribute to successful m...

Send us Fan Mail From navigating routine compliance challenges to managing full-blown institutional crises, discover how administrators cultivate strategic partnerships with their legal advisor that prove invaluable when the stakes are highest. Guilherne Costa shares candid insights on building trust during quiet periods, establishing clear communication protocols, and why the best crisis response...

Send us Fan Mail With recent shifts in federal and state policies, legal rulings, and evolving demographics, how are institutions adapting their approaches to student recruitment and selection? This question is on the minds of educators, administrators, and families across the nation.  W. Kent Barnds, executive vice president for strategy and innovation, Augustana College Kent brings over 30 years...

Send us Fan Mail When chaos strikes, how do leaders step up, steady the ship, and guide their organizations toward resilience and renewal? This is on the minds of leaders across higher ed and beyond. Dr. Ralph Gigliotti, whose work focuses on helping leaders transform moments of crisis into opportunities for growth and reinvention, shares his insights and recommendations for navigating challenging...

Send us Fan Mail Things have become more complicated for higher education in 2025, with executive orders, grant terminations, funding reductions, and investigations. This isn't the first time higher education has faced a crisis; what's different this time, or is it? Teresa Valerio Parrot provides perspective and advice on navigating tumultuous times. Teresa Valerio Parrot, Principal, TVP...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the attacks on DEI with Dr. Daryl G. Smith, author of Diversity's Promise for Higher Education. Dr. Smith discusses the complex dynamics of institutional capacity building and offers insights into mission advancement during these turbulent times.  Dr. Daryl G. Smith, PhD Dr. Smith is a  Senior Research Fellow and Professor Emerita of Education a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Stacey Gordon, founder and principal consultant of Rework Work and author of Unbias: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work, Stacey commented,  “The awareness piece is so big. When I first started DEI work, about a decade ago, I really thought it was all about action, and I was that person, like, you need to take action. (“...”) But the more I do this work, the more I...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nana Kofi Nti and Mashama Thompson, co-founders of 510 Media, discuss the challenges facing colleges and universities in the attention economy. They note that institutions of higher education must work to distinguish themselves from the ubiquity of crowdsourced online learning. Kofi Nti and Thompson challenge us to reflect critically on whether higher education is...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Nadege Dady, dean of Student Affairs and assistant professor for the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harlem, NYC campus, talks about remaining flexible in moments of transition and positively engaged and "always work from a place of integrity." Nadege Dady, EdD Dr. Nadege Dady is Dean of Students Affairs and Assistant Professor for the TouroCO...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, James Spellos, president of Meeting U, talks about generative AI and addresses the concern many educators have voiced, "So it's never going to replace the acumen of an educator, never. But what it's going to do is supplement the ability to maybe do a first pass on information, use the tool."   James Spellos For over 20 years, Jim has led Meetin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Professor Kim Drake and Bernie Hernandez discuss the Inside-Out Justice Initiative and the transformative impact of educational exchange programs. As a faculty member involved in the program, Professor Drake highlights the collaborative nature of the initiative, emphasizing, "It is about collaboration; a kind of equity across the demographics of those who par...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Bernie Savarese, vice president for Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Success at the University of Tennessee System, talks about the shared responsibility of student engagement for positive outcomes. "Student success it is about more than just metrics, it is about life, families, dreams and communities". Bernie Savarese, EdD, MBA Dr. Bernie Sav...

Send us Fan Mail In the episode, Dr. Aisha Francis, President and CEO of the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, talks about access to education and workforce development, "one of the challenges we have is to push the limits of what it means to deliver access for all." Aisha Franklin, PhD In 2021, Aisha Francis, PhD, became the first female President in the 113-year histo...

Send us Fan Mail In the episode, Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, provost at the University of the Pacific, talks about making the transition from faculty member to chief academic officer, " People are coachable and can develop their skills if they are interested in doing it." Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, Ph. D, B.A. Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert serves as Provost at the University of the Pacific, a po...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brian Steeves, executive director of the board of regents and corporate secretary of the University of Minnesota, talks about leadership transitions, "We need to remember that every single person is a master of change. It's a constant in our lives all the time." Brian Steeves, B.A., MPA Brian Steeves serves as executive director of the board of rege...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Binti Harvey talks about developing and using a strategic mindset, "I've seen people grow in this way of thinking when they have clarity about what the objective is and what the desired outcome is." Binti Harvey, B.A., M.S. Binti Harvey is a seasoned relationship builder, strategist, and change manager with a significant record of accomplishment in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, NYU Steinhardt EDLI alumni, Drs. Trish Beck and Michael Miller, talk about professional renewal and reinvention, " It begins with your connection to purpose. Your connection to your personal and professional purpose. And oftentimes there is significant overlap." Trish Beck, EdD, MS, RN, NE-BC, FACHE Dr. Trish Beck is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Edu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Aristide Collins talks about the value of and relationship between mentors and mentees. "Mentorship is foundational. It's something that we all should hopefully seek. And I think it would really make all of us better, stronger professionals and leaders." Aristide Collins, BA, MPA, EdD Aristide J. Collins Jr., vice president, chief of staff, and secr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kai Swanson talks about evolutionary biology and the sabre-toothed tigers of office politics . "You cannot control the weather but there are things you can and if you focus on the things you can you can address or attenuate the negative impacts of those things." Kai Swanson Kai Swanson is special assistant to Augustana College’s president, a position he’...

Send us Fan Mail In this first episode, Denise and Herminio explore the importance of having a friend in the workplace and how friends can make a difference in your professional and personal life.  Denise Nelson Nash , MFA, EdD Denise is vice president, secretary of the Board of Trustees, convener of the IDEA Initiative, Scripps College. Denise joined Scripps College in 2013 as vice president and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Katie Herschede talks about demystifying governance. " Higher education is best when we all know each other.  When we all work together.  When we all are engaged in the governance process. When we all engaged in the life and the rhythms of the campus." Katie Herschede, EdD Katie is the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff at Widene...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sangeeta Lamba talks about inclusive leadership. "Equity minded means that you have to be mindful that each person's experience is very different. So you so if you can be intentional and equity-minded and be committed to almost every step, every decision you make, I think that's probably the way that the dial will move." Sangeeta (Gita) Lamba,...