One Question Leadership Podcast

@1QLeadership Question: How can Student-Athletes voice concerns about their experiences on campus? We asked David Chadwick , Founder & CEO of RealResponse , about solving the problem athletics departments faced in receiving real-time, confidential feedback from student-athletes on campus. Anonymity and confidentiality are complex yet important needs Ease of reporting allows for more people to come...

I asked Keiko Price , Associate VP of Campus Life & Director of Athletics at Emory University, about making tough decisions while leading an athletics department. She answered on the topic of student-athlete accusations against coaches: Be present as much as possible Support the student-athletes and advocate for the coach Assess everyone involved to hear all sides Make the best possible and inform...

I asked Valparaiso University Director of Athletics, Dr. Charles Small about how social work concepts fit on campus and specifically within college athletics. He covered the concepts below: Understanding the balance of the overall support system while being flexible enough to have an individual approach as everyone's experience is different Understanding the capacity within the community to meet t...

We asked Breakthru Brands Founder, Laura Barnard , about common patterns women face during their leadership journey. The company has worked with over 200 clients, primarily women leaders, to elevate their unique contributions and voices. Based on the data and other studies, Barnard identified two gaps senior women leaders deal with as they progress in their careers: 1. Confidence gap: Senior women...

On the question of creating a strategic plan, Toledo Executive Associate Athletics Director & COO, Nicole Alderson visits  @1QLeadership to talk about her involvement in putting together the strategy for Toledo Athletics. Immediately upon being hired, Alderson was tasked with creating the strategy for success for the department. She gives insight on communicating with campus and tying all aspects...

On the question of valuing the human element in the workplace, Michigan Associate AD for Communications & PR, Kurt Svoboda , stops by  @1QLeadership  to share his insight on growing people, separating work and home identity, crisis communications, and leadership development. Svoboda also gives his thoughts on analyzing failure within the context of issues management. - One Question Leadership Podc...

On the question of mid-major conference finances, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Deputy Commissioner, Jessica Grasso visits @1QLeadership to discuss revenue generation, building trust within the conference, and leadership. Grasso gives her insight on what makes the MAAC unique within the industry. She also talks about her philosophy of 'Leading Beyond the W.'  - One Question Leadership...

On the question of the Hispanic experience within college athletics, Liz Reyes of Illinois and Ben Rodriguez of Rutgers visit  @1QLeadership to share insight and talk about the establishment of the Latino Association for Collegiate Athletics Administrators & Student Athletes ( @LA_CAASA ). The organization exists to increase representation and opportunities for Hispanics in college athletics. Both...

On the question of the role of legal counsel within an athletics department, Ane Debro , Associate General Counsel for Athletics at Ole Miss, visits  @1QLeadership to discuss her position. Debro talks about the difference in tempo working in athletics versus working as the general counsel on campus. She gives her insight on how her responsibilities go beyond compliance, which include providing leg...

On the question of leadership through a reflective lens, Texas A&M Director of Athletics, Ross Bjork, stops by  @1QLeadership to talk about his experiences and understanding the breadth of college athletics. The conversation covers planning for different possible outcomes, letting his emotions impact his actions in the past, and advice to those looking to be in the chair. His five hot button areas...

On the question of creating an environment where mental wellness is a priority, Temple University Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Dr. Stephany Coakley , visits  @1QLeadership to discuss the setup for the athletics department. With a purpose of helping people master the mental and emotional aspects of performing consistently at a high level, Dr. Coakley has put education for coaches and staff as...

On the question of NCAA activism, Northern Illinois VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, Sean Frazier returns to @1QLeadership to ponder what the collective group of institutions that make up the governing body of college athletics is doing to counteract the trend of states banning DEI positions, banning books, and other actions that seem to violate the social agreement. Frazier mentions past activism...

On the question of managing athletic facilities on campus, Notre Dame Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Timothy Wise , visits @1QLeadership to cover a number of related items. Wise talks about the important areas that get overlooked with planning a facilities operating budget. He gives insight on how someone in his position is evaluated, and covers the pain points when managing up in terms of faci...

On the question of coaching football with her father, University of St. Thomas (MN) student Anna Caruso , joins Head Football Coach Glenn Caruso , to give her perspective of being on the sideline with family. Anna, a current Tommies Softball Student-Athlete, talks about categorizing the coach mindset while playing, and Coach Caruso gives his thoughts on the evolution of women coaching football.

On the question of feeling like a leader, Macalester College Director of Athletics, Donnie Brooks , visits  @1QLeadership  to talk about his evolution in the leadership chair. Brooks goes over his process of developing personal core values, and affirming them by also defining what they do and don't look like in action. He also discusses feeling uncomfortable in the traditional AD outfit of sport c...

On the question of the why women and people of color are given unfavorable leadership positions, Dr. Christy Glass , Professor of Sociology at Utah State, visits @1QLeadership to discuss the Glass Cliff. Glass unpacks her research finding that that women and people of color are more likely to be appointed to leadership positions when an organization is at risk to fail. She also offers suggestions...

On the question of how purpose, core values, and culture fit in college athletics, Eric Hyman , former Athletics Director oat VMI, Miami (OH), TCU, South Carolina, and Texas A&M, stopped by @1QLeadership to give his experienced insight. With 47 years in college athletics, including 28 years as an AD, Hyman discusses definitions of the key terms inherent to successful leadership – value, values, co...

On the question of developing staff for a successful culture, Lamarr Pottinger , Associate Director of NCAA Leadership Development, visits @1QLeadership  to give his insight on prioritizing people. With regard to HR, Pottinger talks about the need for the athletics industry to further understand what it means to be a resource to humans. He also mentions the importance of knowing that everyone shou...

Addressing the topic of being transformational in an industry filled with transactions, Kent State Director of Athletics, Randale Richmond , visits  @1QLeadership to give his thoughts. Richmond talks about the process of ensuring action behind the department's guiding principle of being student-centered, coach-led, and administrator-supported. He talks about how Alston Awards are earned, and relat...

Andrew Gavin , AD at UW-Parkside, and Chris Barker , AD at Southern Connecticut State, stop by @1QLeadership to discuss their friendship in the business, leadership styles, and lessons learned. Gavin talks about keeping work away from home by having a colleague with common experiences to talk through issues with. Barker covers working for Gavin at Parkside prior to taking on his own leadership rol...

DaShena Stevens , Deputy AD at UIW, visits @1QLeadership to talk leadership. Stevens covers her thoughts on the difference between leaders and managers saying that leaders wear both hats. She covers her philosophy evolution, giving her top three priorities of leadership, leading by example, having an impact, and being transformational. She also addresses the changes in responsibilities since becom...

In a recently discovered conversation from Summer 2022, Heath Schroyer LinkedIn Profile Director of Athletics at McNeese State, visits @1QLeadership to talk about the adventure of leading an athletics department through the aftermath of two nasty hurricanes, in the middle of a pandemic, and all during his first year or so as he transitioned from head basketball coach to AD. He talks about assessin...

Sean Frazier , VP & Director of Athletics at NIU, visits  @1QLeadership to discuss his idea for mitigating the potential educational impact of entering the transfer portal. Frazier proposes a solution that finances the remaining degree requirements for those who enter but don't sign on with a new school. He also gives his insight on why ADs went from silence to actively promoting NIL collectives o...

James Hall , Sr Associate AD at New Mexico State, visits  @1Q Leadership to talk primarily about his role overseeing athletics diversity. He talks about the balance of the role being included in conversations and knowing when to interject his position into certain situations. Hall also talks about how the diversity position can have a positive impact on recruiting and the Student-Athlete experienc...

Derita Dawkins , Assistant Vice Chancellor & Deputy AD at Arkansas, stops by  @1QLeadership to discuss titles, responsibilities, asking questions, and influence. Dawkins talks about advocating for the return of football during her time at UAB. She also covers adjusting to changes on campus during her career and why asking great questions is important for success. The conversation wraps on how her...