Connect, Collaborate, Champion!

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 they turned their ideas into functioning businesses in just 16 weeks. It's the kind of purpose-driven, experiential learning that defines what it means to be part of a NACU institution—where professional preparation meets civic responsibility.To learn more about Malia's business, go here.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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 helping individuals build job-ready skills, gain confidence, and position themselves for long-term success in the workforce.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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 confronting institutions.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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 research. This episode explores the spectrum between these extremes and highlights the crucial role students continually play in shaping the future.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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 journey, discusses the AI guide she developed, and offers practical advice for faculty navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. Access Dr. Seitchik's guide here. Access the Global AI Faculty Survey report from the Digital Education Council.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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 expertise—it's a willingness to learn and adapt as technology continues to reshape the workforce. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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 students are connected to resources that keep them engaged and on track.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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 measurable results and what institutions should think about as they work towards their own student success goals.

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 affordability, access, and the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling in an AI-driven workforce. LeBlanc reflects on the leadership qualities needed to navigate today's challenges and emphasizes reclaiming Ernest Boyer's legacy of truth and ethical action, even when it involves taking risks. This thought-provoking conversation explores how higher education can uphold social justice, revive the American Dream, and inspire institutions to lead with love—showing students that they truly matter.

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 impact the changing media landscape is having on politics and public opinion. He is also the co-author of the book Framing Immigrants: News Coverage, Public Opinion, and Policy; founder and director of the University's Model United Nations program; and the primary liaison between the University and the Washington Internship Institute.

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 for First-Generation and Military-Affiliated Initiatives at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, which has nearly 40% first-generation students. We'll talk about how their Cardinal First program provides essential support from enrollment through graduation, how the campus community values and supports first-generation students, and tips on what other institutions can learn from the Cardinal First program. To stay up-to-date, follow them on Instagram @firstgencardinals.

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 Hamline University, and David Larson, law professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law and a Senior Fellow at the Dispute Resolution Institute. 

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 countries.

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.

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 planned special events to make up for the shortcomings of 2020.

Law students at St. Mary's University of San Antonio are gaining real-world experience by assisting renters who are facing evictions and homeowners struggling with title issues. In this episode, Genevieve Fajardo and Greg Zlotnick, both professors at St. Mary's University, talk about how students move from the classroom to the community in a way that creates a winning combination for their education and the clients they serve.

Grant funding can provide resources that allow colleges and universities to achieve goals they otherwise couldn't without external dollars. In this episode,  we delve into ways that institutions might leverage outside support to navigate the funding process. We're joined by Jessica Gerrity, a senior vice president at McAllister & Quinn, a federal grant consulting and government relations firm in Washington, DC.

College honors programs are different than the honors classes that high school students encounter. Forrest Clingerman, director of the Honors Program at Ohio Northern University, and Haley Brown, an honors student also at Ohio Northern University, discuss the ins and outs of college honors programs, including the benefits and experiences they offer, and who should and who shouldn't consider enrolling in them.

Before you grab another plate of the nachos, listen to Aaron Mansfield, an assistant professor of sport management at Merrimack College, discuss his research into the connection between sports fandom and its effect on our physical health, especially in regard to the ways it shapes our eating habits. 

This episode dives into the critical conversation of cultivating faculty diversity, an action that benefits not just underrepresented populations but rather the entire campus community. Two distinguished Provosts, Tarshia Stanley of Wagner College and Leanne Neilson of California Lutheran University, will share their challenges, successes, and innovative approaches to recruiting and retaining faculty that better mirror their student demographics.

In this episode, we talk with Lisa Jasinski whose book “Stepping Away: Returning to the Faculty After Senior Academic Leadership” looks at the benefits and challenges of transitioning from senior leadership to faculty, a scenario that is both unique to yet common in higher education.

Wine-making is synonymous with the Willamette Valley in Oregon where Linfield University is located. Linfield recently the Acorn to Oak Wine Experience, a wine tasting room that affords real-world experience to students across different majors. In this episode, Acorn to Oak's manager, Paul Johnson, talks about working with students in this college-owned business.

Colleges and universities are well-positioned to tackle challenges facing the world, but when the issue is as large as climate change, it can feel insurmountable. Matt Packey, associate vice president for sustainability and institutional planning at Queens University of Charlotte, joins us to discuss their efforts to move the needle on campus sustainability. While it's a major undertaking, the institution is steadily implementing initiatives to shift the campus culture toward a greener future. 

Brandon Slade, founder and CEO of Untapped Learning, shares how his personal history led him to create a company that helps students with ADHD and dyslexia improve their executive functioning capabilities to achieve better success in school and college through research-backed strategies.

The college admissions process can be a stressful journey, and with big changes coming to the FAFSA federal aid application, families might be feeling even more anxious this year. In this episode, Amy Staffier, assistant vice president of enrollment student services and director of financial aid at Simmons University in Boston, will help demystify the financial aid process. 

To achieve an organization's goals, we often need to work with others who have different backgrounds and opinions from ours. What can we do to better learn how to collaborate with others? Our guest, Grayson James, author of  Full Contact Performance: The Internal Art of Organizational Collaboration, has coached business leaders to improve their collaborative business performance and facilitate organizational change. 

Our guest is Dr. Jillian Peterson, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, whose research engaged undergraduate students in creating the most comprehensive database of every mass shooter in America since 1966. With that research, Dr. Peterson has co-authored a book called The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic which offers more than 30 solutions on how we might approach the epidemic of violence in this country.

A desire to lift up others so they may go on to fulfill their personal life missions has driven a decades long career for Devorah Lieberman, president of the University of La Verne. Join us as she takes a moment to reflect on her work in higher education, contemplate what's next in retirement, and share insight into what college presidents need to consider for the future.

Robert Alexander, political science professor and founding director of the Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP) at Ohio Northern University, talks about ICAPP's work and the importance of civics education, both for students and throughout the community. 

Work experience is integral to a student's college experience. Student Jessica Taddeo talks about her time working as an intern with the National Organization for Women in Washington, DC, and how that has shaped her view for the future. 

Inspired by his TEDx Talk on how higher education is failing Black educators, Faheem Curtis-Khidr, a history professor at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, discusses how higher education can support both Black faculty and students from underrepresented backgrounds. He also talks about connecting his research in Dayton to the classroom and his philosophy on teaching skillsets rather than just content. 

Andrea Chapdelaine, president of Hood College, discusses how mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, and collaborations can positively affect student support and campus-wide goals.

Greg Jones, president of Belmont University and co-author of Navigating the Future: Traditioned Innovation for Wilder Seas (with Andrew P. Hogue), talks about his enjoyment of behind-the-scenes work that allows others to flourish, how he's working to foster innovation in an established institution, and why cross-disciplinary collaboration in higher education is necessary to find creative solutions to complex problems.

University of Richmond Chief Information Officer, Keith “Mac” McIntosh, has more than 30 years of experience in information technology. In this episode, he talks passionately about advancing DEI in the IT profession and shares his perspective on remote work, cybersecurity, and data analytics in higher education's operations and academics.

Virginia Wesleyan University President Scott Miller has served as a college president for 32 years at four different institutions. The veteran president, who started his career as a sports writer, talks about differentiating one's campus in a congested marketplace, expanding into new markets, and how today's presidents can be successful master generalists.

Author and associate professor David Staley leverages his strategic foresight to discuss alternative universities such microcolleges and an institute for advanced play, as outlined in his 2019 book. He talks about the approach he thinks leaders need to incorporate into strategic planning and how the pandemic caused higher ed to realize that ‘going online' was not the innovation everyone predicted it to be, but what could be the future of higher ed given the proliferation of remote work.

How do we balance personal freedom with responsibility to others? What is the shape of a meaningful life? Andrew Delbanco, president of The Teagle Foundation, talks about the importance of humanities in giving students the opportunity and skills to explore these questions and why that is essential for a democratic society.

Michael Murray, president of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF), talks about how the organization balances its commitment to its historical areas of focus while addressing new issues affecting society. Dr. Murray specifically talks about AVDF's work to promote civil discourse on campuses, including what approaches are successful, and the cultivation of purpose as it pertains to education. 

NACU teams up again with David Finegold, president of Chatham University and creator of The Future of Higher Education podcast. In this episode, David speaks with legendary educational entrepreneur John Katzman, founder of the Princeton Review, 2U, and, most recently, Noodle. Katzman shares his perspective on three key issues in higher education: 1) strategies that small private and regional public institutions can use to thrive in the coming “birth dearth;” 2) ways to address college affordability and rethink pricing; and 3) a new non-profit start-up he is forming to disrupt the college admissions process.

In the second of a two part series, Sean Creighton interviews David Finegold, president of Chatham University and creator of The Future of Higher Education podcast. David talks about how Chatham honors its past as a women's college by maintaining structures and programs to advance women today. He also talks about Chatham's new 400-acre campus that provides hands-on learning and modeling of sustainable approaches to energy, water and soil, food and agriculture, and air quality and climate.

In the first of a two part series, the tables are turned. Chatham University President David Finegold interviews NACU President Sean Creighton. What was Sean doing before he came to NACU? What is his connection to the late Ernest Boyer? And why are they called the New American Colleges & Universities anyway?

Three colleges in Vermont founded the Green Mountain Higher Education Consortium to collaborate on economic and educational initiatives. Corinna Noelke, the consortium's executive director, talks with us about how this has led to more than $20 million in savings by consolidating services and contracts in finance, human resources, and information technology. 

Guest Michael Horowitz founded The Community Solution (TCS) Education System so that colleges could collaborate on non-student facing functions and, therefore, have more resources to focus on teaching and advising students. He talks about this 'radical cooperation' and the barriers and longstanding beliefs that make it so rare in higher education.

Melinda Zook, history professor and director of Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts at Purdue University, initially set out to make sure that STEM majors were exposed to liberal arts courses. It resulted in a grant-funded program with a national reach. In this episode, she discusses the evolution of the program and its impact on undergraduate education.

Mac McIntosh, VP for Information Services and CIO at the University of Richmond, talks about technology's role in supporting new ways of teaching, learning, and working. He also covers threats in higher education, such as ransomware, and why collaborative conversations are so important. 

Guest host David Staley of The Ohio State University and Dutcher LLC interviews Kevin Quigley, former president of Marlboro College, on mergers and acquisitions among colleges and universities. Quigley talks candidly about the merger process between Marlboro and Emerson College and gives advice on how to lead a campus through this process.

The pandemic taught institutions that they can be flexible, and in fact, students and employees are better off when that happens. How can institutions continue providing a flexible, robust environment while maintaining financial strength? Dr. Jim Hundrieser, vice president for Consulting Services at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), talks about the present state and future of collaboration and what often holds institutions back from fully embracing it.

Join us for a conversation with Maeve Adams, associate professor of English and director of digital arts and humanities, at Manhattan College. Dr. Adams, a scholar of 19th century literature, talks about how students apply literature to today’s current events, especially as it relates to protesting oppression and understanding our roles as political agents.

In a continuation of episode 12, we ask Nathan Grawe if the COVID-19 pandemic has distracted campuses or given them a push to examine new ways of operating and educating that will ultimately help them to overcome the demographic shift? 

In the first of a two-part episode we talk with Nathan Grawe, economics professor at Carleton College and author of Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education (John Hopkins University Press, 2018) and The Agile College (John Hopkins University Press, 2021). We focus primarily on his new book which looks at institutional strategies and tactics to thrive in an environment of shifting demographics.

For two decades, Mary Marcy has been thinking, writing, and speaking about the future of higher education. Her latest book, The Small College Imperative, is a must read for campuses. In this episode, we talk about improvements and ongoing challenges in higher education, her work as a college president for a decade, and what comes next in her journey.