Podcast appearances and mentions of bridget burns

Today's disagreement is about college and its worth-it-ness. Does the traditional college model still make sense in today's economy? Should we embrace shorter-term skills-based alternatives? And how can institutions balance access, affordability, and workforce readiness in a rapidly changing world?Ryan Craig is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners and co-founder of Apprenticeships for America. Ryan is also the author of Apprentice Nation: How the "Earn and Learn" Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America.Dr. Bridget Burns is founding CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, a ‘multi-campus laboratory' for student success in higher education. Previously, Dr. Burns served as an American Council on Education Fellow at Arizona State University and a Senior Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff for the Oregon University System.Episode Notes02:00 - Bridget's Perspective04:15 - Ryan's Counterpoint06:12 - Defining 'Worth It': Beyond Economic ROI09:59 - The Role of Higher Education in Society15:19 - The Need for Accountability and Reform17:14 - The Apprenticeship Dilemma21:04 - College or Chipotle21:32 - The European Model vs. The American System22:59 - The Need for Adaptability and Social Skills25:05 - The Cost and Value of College Education26:17 - The Future of College and Employment33:28 - Steel ManThis episode was recorded live in San Diego at the annual ASU+GSV Summit. You can watch the live stream of it on YouTube. Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/

In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns spotlights one of the most inspiring leadership journeys in the University Innovation Alliance's history: Dr. Ryan Goodwin. A member of the UIA's inaugural Fellows cohort, Dr. Goodwin reflects on his evolution from a fresh post-grad working out of a closet office at UCF to now serving as Senior Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff in UCF's largest division.Listeners will hear how the UIA Fellows Program laid the foundation for Dr. Goodwin's extraordinary career: shaping policy, leading advising reform, and helping UCF make student success its top strategic priority. His story illustrates the power of believing in people early, investing in collaboration, and the transformative impact of empowering others to lead. From pioneering one of the largest advising reforms in the country to cutting student-to-coach ratios in half and dramatically improving graduation rates, this conversation highlights how incremental, daily efforts can create breakthroughs.Key Takeaways:Great change comes from consistent small steps, not one-time innovations.Investing in early-career professionals unlocks scalable, long-term impact.UIA's Fellows Program is a powerful pipeline for future higher ed leaders.Cross-functional collaboration and bold risk-taking are essential to institutional transformation.Student success isn't a strategy, it's a culture.“Transformation isn't a single stroke of genius. It's the daily intentional efforts to drive forward, to innovate, and to uplift those around you.” — Dr. Ryan GoodwinLearn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

In this episode of the Innovating Together podcast, host Bridget Burns is joined by Dr. Allison Calhoun-Brown, Senior Vice President for Student Success at Georgia State University, to explore how the university moved from fragmented, paper-based advising to becoming a national exemplar of proactive, data-informed student support. This conversation highlights the real-world steps Georgia State took to transform advising; boosting graduation rates, closing equity gaps, and creating scalable systems that prioritize student care and timely intervention.Listeners will gain practical insight into:How to clean and organize institutional data for actionable useThe difference between predictive analytics and proactive advisingBuilding cross-campus buy-in and securing leadership supportCreating consistent advising standards and trainingEngaging students meaningfully and equitably in support systems“You can do good and do well at the same time.” - Dr. Calhoun-BrownLearn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns sits down with Dr. Toyia Younger of Iowa State University to shine a spotlight on one of the most overlooked drivers of social mobility in higher education: transfer student success. Dr. Younger, a national thought leader and passionate advocate for transfer students, shares her personal journey; from her early days as Director of Student Activities at a community college to becoming a national voice for reform through her work with the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS).This episode revisits her riveting Ed Talk from the UIA National Summit, a session that sparked vital conversations about why higher ed must prioritize transfer pathways if we truly care about equity and mobility. Dr. Younger recounts the lessons she learned working alongside students who shattered outdated stereotypes about community colleges, and she calls out institutions for the glaring disparities in resources and support between first-time freshmen and transfer students. With humor, candor, and clarity, she challenges leaders to stop paying lip service and start implementing real, systemic change.You'll learn:We can't talk about social mobility without addressing transfer success.Institutional inequities in support and resources for transfer students are unacceptable.Authentic commitment means scaling programs, funding, and services proportionately.The power of collaboration and transparency—we must share what works.Transfer work is not optional for any institution serious about student success.This episode is a rallying cry: whether you're a policymaker, administrator, or practitioner, it's time to take action. Listen now and commit to transforming how your institution supports transfer students because together, we go farther.“Don't tell me you're committed to transfer students if you have two people doing transfer at an institution with 30,000 students.”Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click Mainstay.

In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns sits down with Steve Wuhs and Claire Creighton from Oregon State University to review a transformational story of change. How do you drive institutional change in a way that's people-centered, ambitious, and built to last; especially in a complex, decentralized university? Oregon State has cracked the code.Steve and Claire share their journey of developing a student success architecture that's not just a slogan but a fully embedded, action-oriented strategy. They explain how they moved beyond reports gathering dust on shelves to build a collaborative framework that spans leadership teams, engages advisors, and ensures that every student, not just a select few, has the support to thrive.You'll learn about their strategic plan, “Every Student Graduates,” why building consensus and community matters more than top-down mandates, and how they created structures to sustain progress even through presidential transitions. Expect practical insights on:Designing effective leadership teams at the college levelDemocratizing data access to fuel real-time decisionsFixing broken task force modelsTurning decentralization from a barrier into an assetKeeping the human element at the heart of student success work"We didn't just want a metric. We wanted a mindset: every student who starts here should have what they need to finish."Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click Mainstay.

In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns welcomes Dr. Raj Chetty from Opportunity Insights for an insightful discussion on social mobility, economic opportunity, and higher education's role in shaping the future. Recorded at the UIA National Summit, this episode dives into the data-driven realities of economic mobility in America, highlighting the disparities that exist and the actionable steps institutions can take to close the gap.Dr. Chetty breaks down the powerful research behind social mobility, explaining how race and geography play critical roles in shaping economic outcomes. He discusses the latest findings on how universities can serve as catalysts for mobility, leveraging student success initiatives, data-driven interventions, and innovative partnerships. This episode also features a live Q&A segment where audience members ask thought-provoking questions, pushing the conversation further into policy changes, systemic barriers, and new approaches to measuring university impact.Key Takeaways: • The Role of Higher Education in Social Mobility: How universities can drive economic opportunity. • Geographic and Racial Disparities: Insights from nationwide data on where social mobility thrives and where it struggles. • The Power of Social Capital: Why networks and relationships matter in economic success. • Redefining Institutional Rankings: How new classification methods could reward universities that prioritize student success.Higher education leaders, policymakers, and changemakers won't want to miss this episode. If you're passionate about reshaping the future of student success and economic mobility, listen now and take action to drive meaningful change.

Higher education often feels like a reality TV show—full of rivalries, dramatic eliminations, and schools fighting for the top spot. But what if universities actually worked together?Enter Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast. From her small-town roots to becoming a driving force in educational reform, Bridget is on a mission to replace academic competition with collaboration. She's tackling the “Higher Ed Hunger Games” head-on, working to boost graduation rates and open doors for low-income students—no cutthroat eliminations required.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Overcoming Adversity: Bridget's Journey from Isolation to Empowerment“I grew up in a cul de sac of racism, homophobia, misogyny—very rural America—and getting out was super important.”Problem in Universities: Unveiling the Diffusion of Innovation Problem“We don't know if what we're doing is any good, or how to scale it.”Higher Ed Hunger Games: Tackling the Cutthroat Competition"Higher education is highly competitive, hierarchical, set up to pit you against others, which leaves very little space to share about shared problems."Real Change or Just for Show? Scouting for True Innovators in Academia"We need to figure out who else is a worker bee, who's interested in doing the really hard stuff and not just drawn to the image."Who Actually Likes Change? Spoiler: No One“Everyone who says they like change is a liar. You only like change that is your idea and that you actively participate in creating.”______________________Connect with Us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Bridget Burns______________________--**Chief Change Officer**--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Deep Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives, Visionary Underdogs,Transformation Gurus & Bold Hearts.6 Million+ All-Time Downloads.Reaching 80+ Countries Daily.Global Top 3% Podcast.Top 10 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>100,000+ subscribers are outgrowing. Act Today.

Higher education often feels like a reality TV show—full of rivalries, dramatic eliminations, and schools fighting for the top spot. But what if universities actually worked together?Enter Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast. From her small-town roots to becoming a driving force in educational reform, Bridget is on a mission to replace academic competition with collaboration. She's tackling the “Higher Ed Hunger Games” head-on, working to boost graduation rates and open doors for low-income students—no cutthroat eliminations required.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Who Actually Likes Change? Spoiler: No One“Everyone who says they like change is a liar. You only like change that is your idea and that you actively participate in creating.”30:07—Mending Hearts in the Office: When Leaders Turn into Heartbreakers"There are a lot of people walking around with broken hearts because they've had a leader who's betrayed them."33:39—The AI Rat Race: Why Can't We All Just Get Along?"This natural tendency to compete with each other. There's like an arms race and that's what's happening with AI.”38:41—From Cap and Gown to Capable and Grown: Reinventing the Grad-to-Gig Highway"There should be coaches for faculty to embed career readiness into every single classroom, starting from the first class a student takes."______________________Connect with Us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Bridget Burns______________________--**Chief Change Officer**--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Deep Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives, Visionary Underdogs,Transformation Gurus & Bold Hearts.6 Million+ All-Time Downloads.Reaching 80+ Countries Daily.Global Top 3% Podcast.Top 10 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>100,000+ subscribers are outgrowing. Act Today.

Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, joins Dustin for a candid conversation about the urgent need for higher ed to take a proactive role in shaping the future workforce. From talent shortages to AI's impact on job readiness, Bridget shares why hope isn't a strategy—and what institutions must do to stay ahead. She challenges universities to work together, rethink traditional learning models, and create real-world solutions that benefit students and society.Guest Name: Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO at the University Innovation AllianceGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: As a trusted advisor to university presidents and policymakers, Dr. Bridget Burns is on a mission to transform the way institutions think about and take action on behalf of low-income, first generation, and students of color. She is the founding CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation that helps university leaders dramatically accelerate the implementation of scalable solutions to increase the number and diversity of college graduates. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

What if universities worked together instead of competing like contestants on a reality TV show? In this episode, we explore the “Higher Ed Hunger Games,” where rivalry rules the day. Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast, shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in rural America to becoming a trailblazer in educational reform. Her mission? To unite academic institutions, boost graduation rates, and create better employment opportunities for low-income students—all through collaboration and innovation. No drama, just teamwork. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Who Actually Likes Change? Spoiler: No One “Everyone who says they like change is a liar. You only like change that is your idea and that you actively participate in creating.” 30:07—Mending Hearts in the Office: When Leaders Turn into Heartbreakers "There are a lot of people walking around with broken hearts because they've had a leader who's betrayed them." 33:39—The AI Rat Race: Why Can't We All Just Get Along? "This natural tendency to compete with each other. There's like an arms race and that's what's happening with AI.” 38:41—From Cap and Gown to Capable and Grown: Reinventing the Grad-to-Gig Highway "There should be coaches for faculty to embed career readiness into every single classroom, starting from the first class a student takes." Connect with Us: Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Bridget Burns ______________________ Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously. Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives Global Top 2.5% Podcast on Listen Notes World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI 3.5 Million+ Downloads 80+ Countries

What if universities worked together instead of competing like contestants on a reality TV show? In this episode, we explore the “Higher Ed Hunger Games,” where rivalry rules the day. Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast, shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in rural America to becoming a trailblazer in educational reform. Her mission? To unite academic institutions, boost graduation rates, and create better employment opportunities for low-income students—all through collaboration and innovation. No drama, just teamwork. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Overcoming Adversity: Bridget's Journey from Isolation to Empowerment “I grew up in a cul de sac of racism, homophobia, misogyny—very rural America—and getting out was super important.” Problem in Universities: Unveiling the Diffusion of Innovation Problem “We don't know if what we're doing is any good, or how to scale it.” Higher Ed Hunger Games: Tackling the Cutthroat Competition "Higher education is highly competitive, hierarchical, set up to pit you against others, which leaves very little space to share about shared problems." Real Change or Just for Show? Scouting for True Innovators in Academia "We need to figure out who else is a worker bee, who's interested in doing the really hard stuff and not just drawn to the image." Who Actually Likes Change? Spoiler: No One “Everyone who says they like change is a liar. You only like change that is your idea and that you actively participate in creating.” Connect with Us: Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Bridget Burns ______________________ Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously. Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives Global Top 2.5% Podcast on Listen Notes World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI 3.5 Million+ Downloads 80+ Countries

Dr. Bridget Burns founded the University Innovation Alliance as a means to bring diverse universities together around their common need for innovation. With a passion to focus on our human-center and to bridge the gap between education and those struggling with poverty, Dr. Burns shares with us the ways in which we can embrace innovation without harming the very people we hope to serve.

Dr. Bridget Burns founded the University Innovation Alliance as a means to bring diverse universities together around their common need for innovation. With a passion to focus on our human center and to bridge the gap between education and those struggling with poverty, Dr. Burns shares with us how we can embrace innovation without harming the very people we hope to serve.

Dustin is pleased to sit down with Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). Bridget shares her journey of leading the UIA, focusing on scaling innovative ideas to improve student outcomes across universities. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of fostering innovation in higher education, the impact of institutional closures, and the importance of empathy and user-centered design in creating effective educational experiences.Guest Name: Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO at the University Innovation AllianceGuest Social: LinkedInGuest Bio: As a trusted advisor to university presidents and policymakers, Dr. Bridget Burns is on a mission to transform the way institutions think about and take action on behalf of low-income, first generation, and students of color. She is the founding CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation that helps university leaders dramatically accelerate the implementation of scalable solutions to increase the number and diversity of college graduates. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/https://twitter.com/HigherEd_GeekAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Generation AI and I Wanna Work There. Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

What happens when higher education is plagued by competition and a lack of collaboration? Ever wondered what would happen if higher education was more like a reality TV show? In this episode, we tackle the “Higher Ed Hunger Games,” where universities are too busy competing to work together. Dr. Bridget Burns, the CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and the host of The Innovating Together Podcast, takes us from her small-town roots in rural America to the front lines of educational reform. She's on a mission to turn these academic rivals into allies. Bridget's goal? To boost graduation and employment rates for low-income students by transforming higher education into a more cooperative and innovative field. Forget the drama, we're talking real change here—no politics is needed, just good old-fashioned teamwork that is centered on humanity. Episode Breakdown: 00:35—Introduction: Rundown of today's episode 03:20—Overcoming Adversity: Bridget's Journey from Isolation to Empowerment “I grew up in a cul de sac of racism, homophobia, misogyny—very rural America—and getting out was super important.” 06:33—Problem in Universities: Unveiling the Diffusion of Innovation Problem “We don't know if what we're doing is any good, or how to scale it.” 10:59—Higher Ed Hunger Games: Tackling the Cutthroat Competition "Higher education is highly competitive, hierarchical, set up to pit you against others, which leaves very little space to share about shared problems." 16:03—Real Change or Just for Show? Scouting for True Innovators in Academia "We need to figure out who else is a worker bee, who's interested in doing the really hard stuff and not just drawn to the image." 18:48—Who Actually Likes Change? Spoiler: No One “Everyone who says they like change is a liar. You only like change that is your idea and that you actively participate in creating.” 30:07—Mending Hearts in the Office: When Leaders Turn into Heartbreakers "There are a lot of people walking around with broken hearts because they've had a leader who's betrayed them." 33:39—The AI Rat Race: Why Can't We All Just Get Along? "This natural tendency to compete with each other. There's like an arms race and that's what's happening with AI.” 38:41—From Cap and Gown to Capable and Grown: Reinventing the Grad-to-Gig Highway "There should be coaches for faculty to embed career readiness into every single classroom, starting from the first class a student takes." Connect with Us: Dr. Bridget Burns and Vince Chan Chief Change Officer: Listen Ambitiously. A Modernist Home to Career Mastery for Progressive Minds 600,299 Downloads and 29,899 Followers Since Launch Highest Apple Podcasts Rankings in Careers: #1 US, Canada, Mexico, Ireland and Switzerland #2 UK, France, Sweden, India and Singapore #4-5-6 Japan-Germany-Australia

In this episode of the Innovating Together podcast, hosted by Bridget Burns from the University Innovation Alliance, we shared a panel from the ASU GSV Summit. The conversation explores the challenge of aligning the interests of students and institutions, drawing from experts across the field, including Patrick Methvin, Scott Pulsipher, Marjorie Hass, Michael Sorrell & Bridget Burns. The episode features insights from prominent educational leaders, discussing the alignment between student needs and institutional offerings, the shifting perceptions of higher education's value, and the innovative models that address these challenges. Join us for a compelling conversation that dives into how higher education institutions can better serve their students by being responsive, adaptive, and focused on both cognitive and non-cognitive needs. "We're not just addressing cognitive needs; we're solving acute financial barriers that significantly impact student success." What you will learn - Economic Mobility vs. Lifelong Learning Innovative Models in Higher Education Funding and Support for HBCUs Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

On today's episode of the Innovating Together podcast, Bridget Burns discusses the need for a structured approach to change in higher education institutions. She suggests having annual events where these organizations can reflect, set goals, and celebrate achievements. Bridget points out the lack of a collaborative space for these institutions to collectively focus on student success and innovation. Drawing inspiration from other sectors and past summits, she proposes that regular retreats and events like the UIA National Summit can provide opportunities for higher education leaders to strategize and collaborate. Bridget encourages creating aspirational moments to motivate institutions to be bold and innovative in enhancing student outcomes. "We need to consistently elevate stories of significant improvements because we need to remind ourselves that change is possible despite the stories we tell ourselves about how we can't." What you will learn - Creating an aspirational environment The missing change architecture Annual retreat and reflection Suspending reality and collaboration Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In this episode, Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, discusses the imperative to scale and innovate in higher education to improve access and outcomes for low-income and underrepresented students. She emphasizes the need for systemic change, the role of technology, and learning from failures to create a diverse and effective educational landscape. The conversation also touches on the potential of edtech companies to contribute to this transformation. "Higher education needs to shift and change. I'm of the mind that it should change, it can change, and we work on that all the time." What you will learn - Collaborative Efforts Innovation, Scale, and Diffusion The importance of scale in higher education Engaging with universities and accelerating learning with edtech Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Stats don't lie – the gaps in bachelor's degree attainment are stark and speak volumes. On this episode of the Innovating Together podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman provide an update on higher education trends, the UIA's goal setting process and Bridget shared the dates for the UIA National Summit. Bridget also discussed some new data trends of concern, including:  Why are men and boys less likely to pursue higher education? How do we bridge the urban-rural education divide? And much more.   Listen in as we explore cross-sector solutions and the concerted effort needed to chart a new course for inclusivity in learning. "We have to prepare teachers better, think differently about how we support them, and deal with the broader question's about the value of going to college." What you will learn - Recent events in higher education Challenges and opportunities in higher education Addressing social mobility, resilient graduates, gender gaps, and urban-rural disparities UIA National Summit dates Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

On this special episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, Bridget Burns is a guest on the Ascend podcast with hosts Jared Tippett and Eric Kirby. Bridget talks about her career path and the idea of “tripwires” in higher education. These tripwires are small administrative obstacles that impede student success. She stresses the importance of universities listening to their students, comprehending their experiences and goals, and taking action based on their feedback. Bridget introduces the concept of the "Listening Lab for Transformation" and explores the significance of a supportive culture, effective student engagement, and the utilization of data to enhance student success.  "Your brain is going to lie to you, and it is going to exaggerate fear around anything that is new. You need to question your brain because it's going to tell you lies." - Bridget Burns What you will learn - The Tripwires in Higher Education The importance of empathy and student perspective Measuring student success and the limitations of current metrics Supporting students through empathy and process mapping Learn more about Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby by visiting: Apple Podcast Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

On this episode of the "Innovating Together," Bridget Burns and Ian Wilhelm interview Dr. Tim Renick, the founder of the National Institute for Student Success. The episode focuses on the issue of high DFW rates in higher education institutions and the need for better data and evidence-based approaches to solve this problem. Dr. Renick talks about the innovative practices that Georgia State University has implemented, such as the Accelerator Program, to improve student success. They also discuss biases within higher education institutions and the importance of recognizing and addressing them to promote innovation and effective solutions. "We're literally failing these students in their classes, and we need to take this as a common responsibility to work out a cooperative solution across the whole institution, rather than saying this is on the faculty member teaching the class to figure out a problem that is a national in scope." - Dr. Tim Renick What you will learn - The problem of DFW rates and the need for change Troubling trends in student performance The effectiveness of using AI-enhanced chatbots in academic courses Leadership and making tough decisions Learn more about Dr. Tim Renick by visiting: About LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

On this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, Mark Becker, President of Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), discusses the evolving expectations for university presidents. He emphasizes the significance of universities delivering value in terms of job prospects for students. President Becker also reflects on his own leadership journey and the challenges faced by university presidents in the current political climate. Bridget Burns, adds that the presidency in higher education should be elevated as a crucial leadership role, and presidents should be respected and learned from. "Today, people want to know if I go to your institution, am I going to get a degree that is going to lead to a job in a career that I want?" - President Mark Becker What you will learn - The importance of job placement for students Challenges Faced by Universities Listening and Communicating with Different Perspectives The need for a nuanced conversation about higher education   Learn more about President Mark Becker by visiting: About LinkedIn   Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook   This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In today's episode, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman preview the next season of weekly wisdom and review the interviews from the past season that they each found most compelling. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in this moment, particularly the elements that will challenge leadership in the chapter ahead. They emphasize the importance of leaders taking the initiative to shape the future of higher education, rather than being reactive to external pressures. They highlight the need for authenticity in leadership and reflect on some of the most valuable conversations from previous episodes. They also discuss the issue of turnover in leadership positions and the impact it has on innovation, while stressing the importance of leaders having a clear vision and the ability to inspire and bring people together.  "There's a level of candor and accessibility that is needed in this next chapter, like you and I see all the time, the skepticism about higher ed and the public,  skepticism about higher education by the public.?" - Bridget Burns What you will learn - ​​The defense versus offense analogy Reflection on past episodes and interesting conversations The pivot and potential constraint Turnover and transition challenges Learn more about Doug Lederman by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In today's episode of the Innovating Together podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman talk with Vincent Rougeau, a former law dean, and the current President of College of the Holy Cross. President Rougeau spent a good part of his career in legal education, and was a law dean prior to taking the Holy Cross job. Today, he shares his insights on how his legal training and experience leading in a law school has affected how he leads.  President Rougeau believes that in order to be an effective leader, it requires a deep understanding of oneself. To be an authentic leader, you must be able to recognize your strengths, weaknesses, values, goals, and interests and use them to your advantage. He believes that it is just as important to see those in others. This means that as the leader, you should focus on serving the needs of the team and the organization, rather than your own personal needs and desires. President Rougeau stated that this can be difficult, as the natural instinct of a leader is to focus on their own needs and desires first. However, by focusing on the needs of the team and the organization, the leader is able to create an environment of collaboration and trust. This allows the team and the organization to thrive and grow. “I was fortunate enough to have a role model in my life who taught me the importance of leading with service. My father was deeply devoted to principles, often making serious sacrifices to benefit many people beyond himself. He was involved in the civil rights movement and was jailed for his work. From him, I learned that if you lead primarily to gain something for yourself, it may not be the best motivation. Instead, if you lead to improve an organization or institution on behalf of many, then you will be more successful.” - President Rougeau What you will learn - Authentic leadership is key Diverse leadership in institutions Building a Positive Community Many pathways to success Learn more about President Rougeau by visiting: About LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In today's episode of the Innovating Together podcast, Bridget Burns and Dr. Candice Staples welcomes Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker, President of Colorado State University Global, as the guest. Dr. Takeda-Tinker discusses her extensive career and shares insights on leadership. As the president of the nation's first 100% online and fully accredited state nonprofit university, Dr. Takeda-Tinker discusses her extensive career and shares insights on leadership. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with others on a human level and uniting people as a leader. Dr. Takeda-Tinker also highlights the fast-paced nature of the industry, the need for data tracking and understanding student outcomes, and the importance of partnerships with industries. She discusses her leadership style, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and open communication. Dr. Takeda-Tinker encourages leaders to embrace failure, continuously adapt, and prioritize happiness in their careers. The episode concludes with appreciation for Dr. Takeda-Tinker's perspective. "If it's not making you happy, why are you doing it?" - Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker What you will learn - The importance of human connectedness in leadership The unique leadership style required for online institutions The speed of industry and the impact of AI The importance of trying new things Learn more about Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker by visiting: LinkedIn Website Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In this week's episode of Weekly Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman announced that Virginia Commonwealth University has joined the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) as a new member. Bridget explained, “The University Innovation Alliance is a collection of institutions who are scaling innovation to eliminate their equity gaps and actually improve outcomes and produce more high-quality graduates across the country.”  Michael Rao, the President of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and VCU Health, a research and teaching institution and comprehensive healthcare system, was this week's guest. A few of the main topics discussed were the partnership between UIA and VCU, collaborative endeavors, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted VCU's role in the community. Doug began off the conversation by asking, “What attracted VCU to UIA?” and “What does your institution gain from this partnership?”  President Rao said, “We have a lot in common. We are motivated to make a difference. We are geared to research that matters to people.” He shared that he likes having regular contact with colleagues to learn from each other.  Bridget added that “VCU shares UIA's values.” She said, the UIA president is willing to talk about the hard stuff. President Rao continued to answer Doug's question by sharing that when he started as President of VCU the graduation rate was under 50% in terms of their 6-year graduation rate and now the graduation rate is around 70%.  He feels there is more that can be done to reach diverse populations. He thinks colleagues can learn from each other – and what works and doesn't work for different groups of people. “What we as presidents expect to gain from each other is sharing positive energy about what's possible.” Bridget asked President Rao to share examples of collaborative endeavors he has experienced. He shared that when he was on the NCAA board, he discovered, “it was worth every second I put into it because I got so much back.” He found chatting with other presidents in between board meetings about similar issues they were both dealing with and asked, “What do you think?”   He also said that when he was chair of the statewide council of presidents, along with the president of the University of Virginia, they were connecting two to three times a week via phone and eventually via video during COVID-19.  It helped to not be a “lonely island.”  “Putting people in the right place” is critical for a president, said XXX. Strategies are shaped by conversations with other presidents.  Doug asked, “How has VCU's role in the community shifted during the pandemic?”  President Rao responded, “a lot of the changes are focused on more inclusively engaging with people who have not been a part of what has been going on.”  He shared an example of how they switched their freshman convocation from an indoor event to an outdoor event with more than 4,000 people there.  Several students expressed appreciation for not canceling the in-person event and not being in front of a screen. There were also many students who asked, “Can you get more stuff online for us? We really like that option.”  He shared with the freshmen, “There is more information out there than there has ever been, but also more agenda's than there have ever been. You've got to develop your own sense and your own gut of what you believe in. What are your values? Decide whether what you are hearing matches that.”  He believes it's important that public universities be disciplined to be places where people can look to for the truth Learn more about President Rao by visiting: Website LinkedIn Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In this episode of the “Innovating Together” podcast, host Bridget Burns and co-host Doug Lederman are joined by Mark  D. Milliron, President of National University in California. President Milliron discusses his experience serving on various boards and how it has shaped his understanding of building great board relationships. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and involving board members in strategic and policy work. President Milliron also highlights the need for collaboration in higher education, particularly in improving the success of low-income, first-generation students. He shares valuable career advice, including the importance of playing to one's strengths and creating an authentic and mission-driven environment. "I've absolutely fundamentally dedicated my life to helping more, and more diverse, students be more successful in the world of higher education so that they have more opportunities in their lives." - President Milliron What you will learn - The power of grace and understanding Creating a meaningful environment The core elements of good leadership Taking care of oneself as a leader Learn more about President Mark  D. Milliron by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In this week's episode of Weekly Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman announced that Virginia Commonwealth University has joined the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) as a new member. Bridget explained, “The University Innovation Alliance is a collection of institutions who are scaling innovation to eliminate their equity gaps and actually improve outcomes and produce more high-quality graduates across the country.”  Michael Rao, the President of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and VCU Health, a research and teaching institution and comprehensive healthcare system, was this week's guest. A few of the main topics discussed were the partnership between UIA and VCU, collaborative endeavors, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted VCU's role in the community. Bridget asked President Rao to share examples of collaborative endeavors he has experienced. He shared that when he was on the NCAA board, he discovered, “it was worth every second I put into it because I got so much back.” He found chatting with other presidents in between board meetings about similar issues they were both dealing with and asked, “What do you think?”   He also said that when he was chair of the statewide council of presidents, along with the president of the University of Virginia, they were connecting two to three times a week via phone and eventually via video during COVID-19.  It helped to not be a “lonely island.”  “Putting people in the right place” is critical for a president, said XXX. Strategies are shaped by conversations with other presidents.  Bridget asked President Rao to expand about why it is helpful for presidents to team up. He shared an example, “One of my big jobs was to start a new medical school at the other institution from which I had come. I teamed up with a president who had started a new medical school. He was literally just a year or two ahead of me. I went and visited him and his team, and I came back with a very clear plan.” Several students expressed appreciation for not canceling the in-person event and not being in front of a screen. There were also many students who asked, “Can you get more stuff online for us? We really like that option.”  He shared with the freshmen, “There is more information out there than there has ever been, but also more agenda's than there have ever been. You've got to develop your own sense and your own gut of what you believe in. What are your values? Decide whether what you are hearing matches that.”  Learn more about President Rao by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Weekly Wisdom Interview with UIC Interim Chancellor Javier Reyes On today's episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman interview Javier Reyes, interim chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. We discussed his experience as an interim chancellor and the importance of collaboration and teamwork in leadership. Chancellor Reyes emphasized the need to gather input from all team members and to maintain collegiality, even when there are disagreements. He acknowledged the challenge of being the ultimate decision-maker and taking responsibility for those decisions. He mentioned some surprising elements of the chancellorship, such as the singleness of being the decision-maker, the need to balance the demands of the role with maintaining a sense of humanity and empathy for those affected by the decisions being made. Chancellor Reyes also shared his advice for those earlier in their careers, suggesting that they not only listen to the person speaking, but also to others who may have heard different perspectives. Two books that have been particularly helpful in Chancellor Reyes leadership journey have been: “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen M.R. Covey and “It's Your Ship” by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff. "Being a president or chancellor requires complete focus and attention for the institution, and is a lifestyle rather than just a job." - Chancellor Reyes What you will learn - The Role of an Interim Chancellor Challenges of Interim Leadership The Importance of Collaboration and Trust in Leadership Learn more about Chancellor Reyes by visiting: Twitter LinkedIn Website Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Weekly Wisdom Commencement Special Episode With Bridget Burns & Doug Lederman --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

In today's episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman are interviewing President Daria Willis.  President Willis is the current president of Howard Community College. President Willis shares her experience and advice on how to navigate the early stages of a new presidency. She emphasizes the importance of listening to various perspectives, and avoiding disparaging one's predecessor.  Being a new leader in an institution can be a daunting task, especially if you're the first person of color or woman in the role. President Willis offers valuable advice for new presidents on how to navigate the early stages of their presidency. She emphasizes the importance of being guarded and not trusting everyone immediately, especially those who may have their own agendas. She advises taking the time to listen to various perspectives and picking up on common themes to gain a clearer picture of the institution. She suggests taking a strategic approach to leadership and bringing in trusted colleagues to provide a different perspective. Today's conversation also touches on the challenges of turnover and the importance of long-term planning for institutions. President Willis discuss the pressure to differentiate oneself from the previous leader, and how boards can contribute to this pressure by emphasizing the need for a new leader to take the institution to the "next level," without defining what that means. She notes that this can set new leaders up for failure, especially if they are the first person of color or woman in the role. President Willis talks about the importance of having a coach who can help you think from a business and entrepreneurial mindset, especially if you come from a non-business background. She also emphasizes the need for boards to have more diverse representation to better understand and support the president's vision. President Willis shares her positive experience with a former board chair who provided her with a safe space to discuss issues and helped her move forward during the pandemic. President Willis provides valuable insights and advice for new community college presidents, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, listening to various perspectives, and finding time for reflection and personal growth. President Willis's experience and wisdom serve as a valuable resource for anyone navigating the early stages of a new presidency. “I have learned that who you see, what you see is what you get. I'm going to keep it 100, and I know how to act when I get in front of state legislators and all of that stuff, but I'm still Dr. Willis.” - President Daria Willis What you will learn - Authentic leadership is key Diverse leadership in institutions Building a Positive Community Many pathways to success Learn more about President Willis by visiting: About LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

The University Innovation Alliance (UIA) is a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation that helps university leaders dramatically accelerate the implementation of scalable solutions to increase the number and diversity of college graduates. Founder and CEO Dr. Bridget Burns sits down with Elana Leoni, CEO of Leoni Consulting Group, to discuss what it means to collaborate, how to best serve any kind of audience, and some basic ways in which the EdTech industry could be more responsive to its market.Show notes: leoniconsultinggroup.com/41

In today's episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, hosts Bridget Burns & Ian Wilhelm interview Drew Magliozzi, the CEO of Mainstay about the rise of ChatGPT and the impact of generative AI on college student success.   Drew, Bridget, and Ian discuss the breakthrough innovations of ChatGPT's large language model (LLM), as well as the need for institutions to vet their technology partners carefully and look for those with relevant experience in higher education. They touch on both the risks and opportunities of AI in education, and the importance of balancing the technology's potential (e.g., creating more personalized learning experiences and supporting with grading) with its pitfalls (including privacy concerns and the risk of bias).    What you will learn - Innovation takes time and resources Invest in technology to help students Vet technology partners carefully Embrace innovation opportunities Learn more about Drew Magliozzi by visiting: LinkedIn Website Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/innovationalliance/message

Today marks the 100th episode of the Innovating Together podcast, and Bridget Burns is in the hot seat to discuss the show's success. While the University Innovation Alliance has been around for several years, Weekly Wisdom just kicked off around the time of Covid. Bridget says it was needed for a variety of reasons, one being the palpable sense of people looking for optimism and leadership. The UIA was also ready to expand and had identified institutions it wanted to include. They wanted a way to interview presidents without signaling who they were considering, and weekly wisdom presented an opportunity to hear about the values of a leader. She shared that she loves hearing from the audience and what types of questions they find most useful and what guests have had an impact on them. Leadership can be a very lonely job, especially in higher ed. The podcast aims to give people a sense that they are a part of something bigger, and that someone, somewhere, is dealing with the same things they are. Bridget has felt so fortunate to be able to meet so many leaders through this podcast. She has been inspired through all the lessons shared by her guests. Bridget shared that she has worked with over 40 college presidents and chancellors thus far, and observed a marked difference amongst them. To her, visionary leaders have a compelling vision, and an ability to get others enrolled in that vision. Her current work enables her to help university presidents see a shared, collective vision, and move in a common direction. She does this through genuine curiosity, empathy, and care. She takes the time to observe people in leadership roles, in order to really understand, to help them identify underlying challenges, and then to overcome those challenges. When asked about important advice, she offered that people should aim to be less interested in who gets credit for the work and more about getting the work done. She shared leadership advice that has been helpful to her from presidents and chancellors, including that taking care of yourself and your health is critical to being an effective leader, because you need energy to make difficult decisions. She suggested two books that were powerful in her journey: Leadership and Self Deception by the Arbinger Institute, and The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey. What You'll Learn: How negative examples can teach us just as much as positive ones. What it means to be a true leader. Why a president's tenure matter when it comes to innovation Favorite Quote: “The most presidential moments on the show have been the ones where people have shown their true heart.” -Bridget Burns --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns' Guest Appearance on An Educated Guest Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

In a special episode recorded at The Chronicle of Higher Education Festival, Jeff Selingo and guest co-host Bridget Burns talk with three students about what has worked (and what hasn't) in their college experiences. With support from Ascendium Education Group, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Course Hero.

Higher ed was never designed around students. But Dr. Bridget Burns is determined to disrupt that. In this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper, EVP and GM of Wiley University Services and Talent Development, welcomes Dr. Bridget Burns, Founder and CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). Together, they explore how empathy, design thinking, accessible data, trusting each other to fail, and the UIA's six policy areas have innovated scalable solutions for student success. Key Takeaways: • Why tools like predictive analytics and proactive advising are fundamental to diagnosing students' problems and providing immediate support • How chatbots can resolve students' issues and help staff be more effective • Why career services need to become part of every classroom experience • How $1000 grants have ensured students graduate on time • How creating the social safety to fail is key to innovation Guest Bio Dr. Bridget Burns is the founder and CEO of University Innovation Alliance, a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation that helps university leaders implement scalable solutions to increase the number and diversity of college graduates. In 2020, Bridget was recognized by Diverse Issues as one of "35 Leading Women in Higher Education" and named one of the “16 Most Innovative People in Higher Education” by Washington Monthly magazine. In addition, her work has been highlighted in national outlets like The New York Times, Fast Company, and 60 Minutes. She was also featured in the documentary “Unlikely." Bridget received her bachelor's degree in Political Science and master's degree in Public Policy from Oregon State University and her Doctorate in Higher Education, Leadership & Policy from Vanderbilt University.

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. Today's guest is Michael Sorrell, who is the president of Paul Quinn College. President Sorrell is one of the 10 most innovative college presidents in the country and one of the world's top 50 leaders. How is He Holding Up, and What is Keeping Him Positive? President Sorrell stays positive because of the gratitude for the amount of family time he gets to have; the sight of his family sharing his office and going in-and-out of it makes him happy. Part of his career involves being a crisis manager, so he feels like he is at an advantage and could plan to send students home on time. What Kind of Leadership Principle is Serving Him? President Sorrell`s leadership principle is on the base of love, and he is more concerned about the wellbeing of his staff and students. He has created a safe space in staff meetings to encourage staff members to open up to boost their productivity. How Does He Separate and Manage the Day's Work, Today's Chaos, and Plans? President Sorrell said the best course of action is to be honest about being overwhelmed because nobody has ever lived through a pandemic. Accepting his vulnerability and acting to minimize regrets, being cautious, and analyzing the situation carefully. How is He Still Optimistic About the Future of His School? President Sorrell shares his story about how his school was at a rough patch when he took over, and they came out and kept going irrespective of the sad odds. He likened the experience of Paul Quinn at that point to the current pandemic and said the difficulties would provide room for growth. Sorrell quotes lessons from his faith, saying, “without the test, you will never get a testimony” and says this is the time to be resilient as leaders to raise resilient students. He advises: if you pray, pray, then get up and believe in the inevitability of your success. Is there any book he has read in the past that is helpful now? He said there is a need for a message of hope, and focusing on other people helps him. He is reading Just Mercy by Stevenson, On Duties, and Building an International University. Family time, exercising, and a positive mindset have kept him going so far. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University since 2002 and a recognized leader in higher education innovation. How is He Holding Up and Does he have any Advice for Other Presidents? President Crow notes that neither he nor his staff have worked this hard but are working to give their best. He states that holding up is a function of working in the speed of the current fashion, driving as hard as you can, picking up the pace of innovation, advancing new ideas, and trying to adjust to recent encounters. The Analogy of Leadership as Sailing President Crow explains a sailing analogy that portrays all the people in academia as sailors at sea, experiencing varying wave conditions. President Crow said a time like this is like 30-40-foot waves as opposed to the regular, stable seas because of many challenges that are occurring at the same time. He said the key is maintaining seaworthiness while being prepared for damages that come with the storm and adapting, adjusting, and preparing to make alterations to move forward regardless of the tides. How Does He Stay Focused on Leadership as Opposed to Surrounding Changes? According to President Crow, staying focused on the outcome which is maintaining an environment for learners to learn and advance is vital, because education is essential to the country's success. Being able to focus on what you can control in whatever the changing circumstance is the principal notion. How Does He Deal With Plans That Are on hold? President Crow said you have to deal with a back and forth between planning and adjusting because planning is useless when the battle begins. They have tried to implement alternative plans, carry out projects, and add dimensionality in implementing visions. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Dr. Bridget Burns and Dr. Tiffany Polite from University Innovation Alliance (UIA) interviewed Dr. Amelia Parnell from NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Dr. Parnell wrote a book titled “You are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on Campus.” Her target audience is anyone who works in higher education in any position. She gathered context for the book by interviewing 40 professionals from a variety of roles to learn about their uses of data in their daily work. The book reflects themes from those discussions and introduces the Data Identity Framework, which describes six core competencies that are key to making data-informed decisions. The six areas are: Curiosity and Inquiry Research and Analysis Communication and Consultation Campus Context Industry Context Strategy and Planning Dr. Burns reflected that the book sounds like it gives the reader confidence to use data to be an informed decision maker. Establishing the appropriate sequencing, timing, and pace using big data is doable for anyone in a collaborative environment, according to Dr. Parnell. The most popular question, especially from graduate students, is “which is better, quantitative, or qualitative?” Dr. Parnell likes both. “Almost every conversation comes back to strategic communication.” Dr. Parnell said the book is not meant to be a one-time read. “I think the goal is to convince the reader… to have a lifelong commitment to building out a set of skills.” It's a quick read, but a book you can come back to over and over as you develop these skill sets. Dr. Burns recommends the book as a holiday gift or pass around the office, and asked for Dr. Parnell's background. Dr. Parnell shared that her experiences in legislative policy, student affairs, research, and graduate teaching all reflect her passion for making complicated topics easy to understand and accessible. Dr. Parnell responded to an audience question regarding how to brief one's boss with data. She said, “For example, if you received a question from a senior leader who is curious about the number of transfer students who come to the campus from more than 500 miles away, a good first step is to probe to clarify what the senior leader is trying to accomplish. A key question to ask in doing so is how the requested data would be used. After ensuring that the desired use of the data is clear, the next step is to complete the analysis and provide the results.” Parnell suggests that a good approach for sharing results is to start by providing brief bullet points, which can help the colleague clearly identify relevant information. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

“Transformation” is a buzzword in today's world, and it's easy to talk about why it's necessary. But how do you actually do the hard work of bringing about change within a college or university? This week's episode of The Key features highlights from a panel session at this month's SXSWedu conference in Austin, Tex. The discussion, heavy on practical advice for leading change within and across institutions, includes Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College; Michelle Weise, vice chancellor for strategy and innovation at the National University System; and Bridget Burns, executive director of the University Innovation Alliance. Inside Higher Ed's editor and host of The Key, Doug Lederman, moderated the discussion. This episode is sponsored by Pearson Inclusive Access. 

Jackson State University President Thomas Hudson, J.D., joined Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman in this week's episode of the Innovating Together Podcast. There have been 12 presidents in JSU's 144-year history, and President Hudson is only the second alumnus president, which he believes is an advantage. President Hudson said, “It shortens the learning curve when it comes to alumni relations.” He has been affiliated with JSU all of his life before taking on several roles in the administration. He was appointed interim president at JSU when the pandemic was just on the horizon. President Hudson said, “Maintain the focus on your core mission, your core constituency, handle the business of the University and keep your focus there. As long as you are doing that, I don't think you can go wrong. You always have to have the future of the University in mind, even when you are in a role that may very well be temporary.” Evolution of decision-making “One of the things that I talk to my colleagues and members of my administration often is this concept of getting to the solution quicker, not staying so much in assessment mode. When you're in a leadership position you are constantly evaluating, you're constantly in some level of assessment, but you cannot stay in that mode. You have to get to solutions. You have to make decisions. So, if anything, the response time and response rate in terms of how soon you get to the solution when you are confronted with problems. You just don't really have a lot of time to linger. You have to be willing to make mistakes… We have to understand if it doesn't work, you have the flexibility to pull back and rethink… That's probably the biggest change I have seen in terms of my leadership.” Keeping your team resilient “During the pandemic, you learn different ways to communicate. We all learned to use Zoom effectively and all of these virtual spaces… I meet monthly with my faculty senate, my staff senate. I meet bi-weekly with my administrative team individually. And once a week of course we meet as a body. When I first started, I had four specific priorities of the presidency. And really just pushing those things and as we go forward we released our strategic plan this past September… That requires constant communication to make sure we are all on the same page.” Communicating with Optimism and Confidence President Hudson explained it is important to communicate with optimism and confidence. Being the senior person in the room at all times, he has learned there is power in your words, what you say matters, and people act on it. You have to be careful what you say. When asked by Bridget how he decompresses, he shared that if there are problems he wants to process orally, he calls a previous president who understands the job, rather than venting to his staff. President Hudson's favorite book on leadership is called The President's Club, written by Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs. It discusses the transition of power with US Presidents going back to the Hoover administration. “We all build on the great work that was done before us. We are just here for a time. It's our job to make sure we leave it better than we found it and hand it off to the next leader.” The best advice that President Hudson has received was by Dr. Page, “Finding yourself in your role and responsibilities you've been given and staying true to yourself and staying true to the mission of the University.” Another piece of advice was from Dr. Nelson, “Never forgetting the business of higher education. The nuts and bolts of what we do here, how we deliver our product, how we market our product, and how we pay for our product. Your first responsibility is to make sure the University has the resources it needs to act in accordance with its mission.” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

In this week's episode of Weekly Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman announced that Virginia Commonwealth University has joined the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) as a new member. Bridget explained, “The University Innovation Alliance is a collection of institutions who are scaling innovation to eliminate their equity gaps and actually improve outcomes and produce more high-quality graduates across the country.” Michael Rao, the President of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and VCU Health, a research and teaching institution and comprehensive healthcare system, was this week's guest. A few of the main topics discussed were the partnership between UIA and VCU, collaborative endeavors, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted VCU's role in the community. Doug began off the conversation by asking, “What attracted VCU to UIA?” and “What does your institution gain from this partnership?” President Rao said, “We have a lot in common. We are motivated to make a difference. We are geared to research that matters to people.” He shared that he likes having regular contact with colleagues to learn from each other. Bridget added that “VCU shares UIA's values.” She said, the UIA president is willing to talk about the hard stuff. President Rao continued to answer Doug's question by sharing that when he started as President of VCU the graduation rate was under 50% in terms of their 6-year graduation rate and now the graduation rate is around 70%. He feels there is more that can be done to reach diverse populations. He thinks colleagues can learn from each other -- and what works and doesn't work for different groups of people. “What we as presidents expect to gain from each other is sharing positive energy about what's possible.” Bridget asked President Rao to share examples of collaborative endeavors he has experienced. He shared that when he was on the NCAA board, he discovered, “it was worth every second I put into it because I got so much back.” He found chatting with other presidents in between board meetings about similar issues they were both dealing with and asked, “What do you think?” He also said that when he was chair of the statewide council of presidents, along with the president of the University of Virginia, they were connecting two to three times a week via phone and eventually via video during COVID-19. It helped to not be a “lonely island.” “Putting people in the right place” is critical for a president, said President Rao. Strategies are shaped by conversations with other presidents. Bridget asked President Rao to expand about why it is helpful for presidents to team up. He shared an example, “One of my big jobs was to start a new medical school at the other institution from which I had come. I teamed up with a president who had started a new medical school. He was literally just a year or two ahead of me. I went and visited him and his team, and I came back with a very clear plan.” Doug asked, “How has VCU's role in the community shifted during the pandemic?” President Rao responded, “a lot of the changes are focused on more inclusively engaging with people who have not been a part of what has been going on.” He shared an example of how they switched their freshman convocation from an indoor event to an outdoor event with more than 4,000 people there. Several students expressed appreciation for not canceling the in-person event and not being in front of a screen. There were also many students who asked, “Can you get more stuff online for us? We really like that option.” He shared with the freshmen, “There is more information out there than there has ever been, but also more agenda's than there have ever been. You've got to develop your own sense and your own gut of what you believe in. What are your values? Decide whether what you are hearing matches that.” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

California Competes is a policy research and advocacy organization focused on driving system-level change to improve the state's higher education and workforce outcomes. Dr. Su Jin Jez said, “Our work sits at the intersection between higher education, equity, and the economy. We spend a lot of time thinking about what are the problems in our state and then doing research to come up with evidence-based solutions.” The discussion centered around non-traditional learners such as working adults and online learning, as well as leadership books she recommends and advice for leaders. The COVID pandemic has been changing the economy. As a result, there are a couple top issues that are current priorities of California Competes. Dr. Jez sees the need for Higher ed to be more responsive to general workforce needs, such as retraining adult workers in new career fields. The second issue is the need for improving online learning with higher quality and improved access. “Online ed - we think it's here to stay, and we need to figure it out,” stated Dr. Jez. She also sees the progression from K-12 to community college to four-year colleges and the workforce as inefficient because each entity is being run separately. She thinks coordination between the entities would make them more efficient. She feels the COVID pandemic has made us more conservative in our planning. Dr. Jez shared how she is more nimble in her planning, “This could all change tomorrow, and we have to be okay with that.” She also said, “You can go faster alone, but you can go further with a team.” Bridget Burns asked Dr. Jez to share some books she recommends on leadership. Dr. Jez suggested “Policy Paradox Art of Political Decision-Making” by Deborah Stone. She says the author has a great analysis of what's fair and what's equitable. For example, if your underlying assumption for a complicated issue is x and mine is y, then it unpacks more clearly how to move forward. For example, how does security vs. liberty challenge each other or compliment each other? Her second favorite book is a textbook, “Understanding and Managing Public Organizations” by Hal G. Rainey. She explained, “As a leader when you're thinking about the changes you want to make to think about what is the H.R. perspective around this? What are the cultural perspectives on this? It builds a nice frame for thinking through the different sort of aspects of leading an organization.” Doug Lederman asked Dr. Jez, “What is your favorite piece of advice?” Dr. Jez likes the four paths one can take, “Do, Defer, Delete, Delegate.” This advice helps her not feel overwhelmed and reminds her that not everything needs to be done immediately. “It's like a deep breath around demands.” Another favorite piece of advice she learned from a mentor and shares with her team, “You have to write something twenty times in order to have an impact. Don't give up.” It has to be reframed for different audiences. Bridget acknowledged that she has observed the most effective leaders who repeat themselves are the ones who get where they need to go. Dr. Jez also said she shares with up-and-coming leaders, “Find your reason for wanting to lead.” She also said, “Find your helpers.” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Today on ‘Weekly Wisdom' Bridget Burns from University Innovation Alliance and Doug Lederman from Inside Higher Ed sit down with California Community College Chancellor, Eloy Oakley. Many educational leaders had to step up during 2020 because of the pandemic and all that it brought with it, and Chancellor Oakley is no different. He discusses the struggles of leading through not only a pandemic but an economic crisis, racial reckoning, and a crisis in democracy. Chancellor Oakley says resilience is vital in the evolution of leadership. As a leader that prefers running toward the problem and dealing with it face-to-face, Chancellor Oakley had to rely on his military experience to help him to keep moving forward. The most significant opportunity was making sure students didn't get left behind in this constant sprint with an ever-moving finish line. The Chancellor also discusses the enrollment decline they're seeing because of this pandemic, especially among disadvantaged students. Prior to 2020, there was significant momentum that is now slowing or reversing. Food and housing insecurity are at the top of many student's lists of concerns. Chancellor Oakley is proud of Governor Newson's work in securing emergency aid for the 2021-2022 budget, and hopes even more support will come from the Biden administration. Incidentally, there have been talks of Chancellor Oakley becoming the Secretary of Education under a Biden administration. The Chancellor shares that if he were to be placed in this position, his priority would be a student's basic needs. He wants to better serve adult students that have lost their jobs and say that community colleges are potentially the best place to reach these individuals. Beyond emergency aid, Chancellor Oakley would like to see major policy initiatives in the arena of democratizing college access, as we are in a time when a high school diploma is no longer enough to be successful in this economy. We need to see colleges move away from being selective to being inclusive. Secondly, Chancellor Oakley says student debt needs to be addressed as we have an entire generation of students being crushed by it. Chancellor Oakley touches on the California College Promise, which aims to help underprivileged students, and his hopes for all states to do something similar. To connect with Chancellor Oakley, find him on Twitter or email him at eoakley@cccc.edu. Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Michele Siqueiros, President of the Campaign for College Opportunity, was interviewed for University Innovation Alliance on December 13, 2021. Co-host, Doug Lederman introduced the Campaign for College Opportunity as, “a non-profit based in California that does advocacy and research focused on ensuring more students can go to college and succeed through them.” The interview progressed from Siqueiros' personal story, to how the pandemic has impacted higher ed, and finally helpful advice. Being the daughter of immigrants, Siqueiros was the first in her family to go to college. As a low-income kid, she gave credit to school counselors, teachers, UCLA students who went to her high school and helped her fill out college applications, financial aid, affirmative action, and policies that helped her get into college and complete graduate school on a full-ride fellowship. She said, “it was a mix of what institutions were doing and the policies that were in place. I firmly believe that the policies we support, the way we set up student services, that's what helps make college a reality for those of us who aren't born into wealth and privilege.” Siqueiros has been with the Campaign since its founding in 2004 and has been leading the organization since 2008. She acknowledged, “the pandemic has been very difficult for all of us.” She sees the innovation and resourcefulness demonstrated in higher ed during the pandemic as transformative for underrepresented students. Michele gave an example of how flexibility and removal of hurdles in higher ed by providing laptops and higher broadband access for students without those resources was helpful for low-income students to be included in the System. She is hoping some of those innovations will stay in place by intentionally closing gaps that persist for Black and Latin students. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in graduation rates and college enrollment in community colleges of 20-30% since the COVID pandemic. When co-host Bridget Burns asked Siqueiros what she is most proud of, she said, “the elimination of placement into remedial courses at community colleges. Remedial courses are where college dreams go to die. That single policy change across the California Community College System has given incredible access to students and Black and Latino students.” Wrapping up the interview, Burns and Lederman asked her what advice she has received and what advice she gives to others. She mentioned how leaders and board members supported her and taught her, “it is only worth doing if it is hard and difficult.” Then she shared that letting go of staff members is hard and difficult, but humility and vulnerability helped her treat “everybody with the respect they deserve.” When talking to new leaders, she said, “I recommend they get comfortable not knowing everything” and that they don't have to do everything by themselves. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

In this episode, I speak with Bridget Burns — a zookeeper and beginner beekeeper. Her love of nature is unquestionable, and her dedication and curiosity for bees grow daily. We speak about the importance of bees for our food and flowers, how to get started with bees, and why they aren't creatures we should be fearful of. Follow Bridget for more inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/wild.b.honey/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mdinc/support

On this episode of Higher Voltage, we sat down with Bridget Burns, the executive director for the University Innovation Alliance (UIA).  Listen in as Kevin Tyler, Higher Voltage host, and Bridget discussed how the UIA is using data, process mapping, design thinking, and a university alliance to increase the number and diversity of college graduates through a student-focused approach.

In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by Element 451, we talk with Dr. Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance. Helping low-income, first-generation, and students of color is not something universities have typically been good at. The University Alliance is focused on completion - who is completing and who is not. Higher education was never designed around students; the entire traditional infrastructure of colleges and universities was designed around faculty, which were the intellectual capital of the institution. UIA works to deconstruct and rebuild the operations around students and innovation to accomplish the goals of helping society - by helping the low-income, first-gen, and students of color. The pandemic has, however, hit students and faculty hard. It's time to innovate further, according to Bridget. For the past decade, Dr. Bridget Burns has advised university presidents, system chancellors, and state and federal policy leaders on strategies to expand access to higher education, address costs, and promote completion for students of all backgrounds. Named one of the “16 Most Innovative People in Higher Education” by Washington Monthly, she is the founding Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). The UIA is the groundbreaking national consortium of public research universities igniting a movement through their collaborative work (innovate together, scaling “what works”, & broadly diffusing what they learn) to close their achievement gaps and improve outcomes for all students. The UIA was developed during Dr. Burns's tenure as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellowship at Arizona State University. Check out our sponsor, Element 451, at this link: https://element451.com/edupexperience Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode! Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

In this episode, we're excited to welcome Dr. Bridget Burns to Trending in Education to talk about innovation in higher education. Named one of the “Most Innovative People in Higher Education” by Washington Monthly, Bridget is the founding Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). The UIA is the groundbreaking national consortium of public research universities working together to test and scale innovations that close achievement gaps and improve outcomes for all students. Since its founding in 2014, the UIA campuses have increased their low-income degrees awarded by 37% (producing over 30,000 additional low-income graduates to date) and increased graduates of color by 73%. The Alliance has been featured in national outlets like 60 Minutes, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Fast Company, and in the documentary "Unlikely". The UIA has inspired and supported the formation of more than 15 other university networks working to improve postsecondary success for low-income students. We begin by hearing Bridget's origin story as an education professional which takes us back to her roots in rural Montana and community college before finding her way into higher education and ultimately the UIA. We explore how the UIA was founded and their mission of understanding how universities can innovate, how they can test ideas across different university cultures and contexts, and how they can spread the word about what they're learning. Bridget shares what it was like to work with Michael Crow at ASU as the UIA was first coming together and as it's grown and evolved since. Bridget provides examples of how innovations have emerged across the 11 member institutions of the UIA and looks ahead to where she sees the organization heading in the future. She also shares her perspective on new and emerging media like Tik Tok and its relevance in reaching the rising generations. It's a fascinating conversation and we thank Dr. Burns for sharing her time and perspective to the show. If you like what you're hearing, follow us at TrendinginEducation.com and wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on “Scholarship 2 Practice”, Co-hosts Dr. Derrick Tillman-Kelly and Dr. Bridget Burns are joined by professor and anthropologist Dr. Constance ILoh. Together they tackle the significant issues concerning inclusion, school choice, and the culture of higher education. Dr. ILoh seeks to uplift the under-served and under-supported that are not represented in today's education landscape. Dr. ILoh claims that a lot of students aren't captured in the conception of the 21st-century student. Today's college-goer is a lot different from in the past and doesn't fit the stereotypical profile of most college choice frameworks. It's no longer just the high school grad with the world at their fingertips. We see people from all backgrounds, all income levels, of all colors, and of all ages pursuing higher education. Still, we don't see them all represented or supported equally. Using what she calls the lLoh Model of College-Going Decisions and Trajectories, we're led to look at three essential components: information, time, and opportunity. These three items are often all that determine college-going decisions and the trajectory a student will find themselves on. The quality, quantity, and types of information readily available can vary significantly between prospective students. A high school senior has access to a plethora of information via a guidance counselor, but where would an older adult access the same information. In dealing with time we need to understand not only where we are currently as a society, which we've seen in the last year can change drastically in a short amount of time, but also where a prospective student is in their life; possibly a 40-year-old single parent as opposed to the student fresh out of high school. When it comes to opportunity, we need to understand not only the real but also the perceived idea of what is available to an individual; what their surroundings and circumstances led them to believe is possible for them and what really is possible. There is no longer a 'typical' college experience and colleges need to understand this. Dr. ILoh hopes that colleges can reframe how they look at prospective students to ensure everyone can truly have that college ‘choice'. Higher education is a big commitment, and many students need to be recognized and recruited. For more information on Dr. ILoh or her Model of college-going Decisions and Trajectories, visit www.constanceiloh.com. Dr. ILoh can also be found on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Today on ‘Weekly Wisdom' Bridget Burns from University Innovation Alliance and Doug Lederman from Inside Higher Ed sit down with California community college chancellor Eloy Oakley. Many educational leaders had to step up during 2020 because of the pandemic and all that it brought with it, and Chancellor Oakley is no different. He discusses the struggles of leading through not only a pandemic but an economic crisis, racial reckoning, and a crisis in democracy. "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Together with her co-host Madeline St. Amour, Bridget Burns invites the Chancellor of the University of Colorado, Denver Michelle Marks. Chancellor Marks discusses how to live, exist, and lead and give a sense of positivity to everyone while during a pandemic. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of University Innovation Alliance, is inviting presidents and chancellors of universities to share how they handle the challenges they encounter through a real-time conversation. Today's guest is Dr. Frank J. Dooley, who is the current Chancellor of Purdue University Global. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Doug Lederman, the editor, and co-founder of Inside Higher Ed accompanies Bridget Burns in today's episode of Weekly Wisdom. They interview Dr. Chris Howard, the president of Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania. He also served as the 24th president of the Hampden-Sydney College. In this episode, they discuss leadership in the time of a crisis. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of University Innovation Alliance, partners up with Paul Fain, the Contributing Editor of Inside Higher Ed, to interview city college presidents. For today's episode, the guest is Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, the Commissioner for Higher Education in Louisiana, and former Executive Director at Colorado Higher Ed and Deputy Undersecretary at the US Department of Education. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Paul Fain of Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. For the 21rst installment of Weekly Wisdom, the team had a conversation with UCF President Alexander Cartwright about being a leader and leading during these challenging times. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

As college students around the country wrap up a tumultuous semester, debates about whether colleges should be in-person or remote rage on. About a month ago, https://www.aei.org/profile/nathaniel-n-malkus/ (Nat Malkus) hosted an https://www.aei.org/events/should-college-students-be-back-on-campus/ (AEI web event )centered on this issue. Panelists included https://chrismarsicano.com/ (Christopher Marsicano), assistant professor at Davidson College; https://theuia.org/team/bridget-burns (Bridget Burns) of the University Innovation Alliance; https://www.shu.edu/profiles/robertkelchen.cfm (Robert Kelchen) of Seton Hall University; and https://www.wssu.edu/profiles/robinsonel/index.html (Elwood Robinson) of Winston-Salem State University. You can catch the panel discussion on this episode of The Report Card or watch the web event in its entirety at https://www.aei.org/events/should-college-students-be-back-on-campus/ (AEI.org).

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Paul Fain of Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. For the 20th installment of Weekly Wisdom, the team had a conversation with the University of California, Riverside chancellor, Kim Wilcox, who has led the institution since 2013. They discussed how a chancellor understands what it's like to navigate these challenging times as they gather some insight, perspective, and inspiration. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Rick Seltzer of Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. For the 19th installment of Weekly Wisdom, the team had a conversation with the president of Trinity Washington University, Patricia McGuire. Follow along in this episode for tips on leading amid the pandemic engulfing the world. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Madeline St. Amour, a reporter at Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. For the 18th installment of Weekly Wisdom, the team had an inspiring conversation with president and CEO Keith Curry, who has led Compton college since 2017. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently tapped him to serve on the California higher education recovery with the equity task force. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visitwww.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Paul Fain from Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. For the 17th installment of Weekly Wisdom, the team had a short inspiring conversation with Eloy Oakley the Chancellor of California Community Colleges. "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Madeline St. Amour from Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. For the 16th installment of Weekly Wisdom, Bridget Burns, Executive Director of University Innovation Alliance and Madeline St. Amour from Inside Higher Ed, had a short, inspiring conversation with the Lorain County Community College President Marcia Ballinger. "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. “ Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Paul Fain from Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. Today's guest is the University of Houston President Renu Khator. "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. " Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Paul Fain from Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. Today's guest is the president of Everett Community College, Daria J. Willis. President Willis has been leading Everett since last year, but also served as the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Onondaga Community College. "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. " Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Paul Fain from Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. Today's guests are Michael Sorrell and Ben Nelson. Michael Sorrell is the president of Paul Quinn College, and Ben Nelson is the CEO and founder of Minerva Schools. "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. " Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Rick Seltzer, the project editor at Inside Higher Ed are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. Today's guest is The President of the University of Washington Ana Mari Cauce, who has been at the institution since 1986 and president since 2015, is the guest in today's conversation. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. " Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of University Innovation Alliance, invites presidents and chancellors of universities to discuss real-time challenges and the resolutions to such problems. Today's guest is Dr. Timothy Renick, Executive Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success of Georgia State University. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. " Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The eleventh guest is Mark P. Becker, president of Georgia State University since 2009. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. " Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

UIA Executive Director Bridget Burns, EdD joins Travis Smith on the Higher Ed Athletics podcast. The University Innovation Alliance is a group of 11 universities, all of which are NCAA D1 institutions, that focus on tackling big problems in higher education. Dr. Burns introduces the UIA and talks about their work streams and mapping techniques. Burns, who used to serve as a Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor in the Oregon University System, talks about what it takes to be a great behind-the-scenes executive for college presidents. Next, Smith asks what most college presidents think of big-time college football and men's basketball and how it fits into modern higher education. Burns ends the episode with a detailed explanation of what college presidents are dealing with during the coronavirus pandemic. The University Innovation Alliance members include: Oregon State, UC Riverside, Arizona State, Texas, Kansas, Iowa State, Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State, Georgia State and Central Florida. Visit www.theuia.org to learn more about the UIA and why athletic conferences might be an opportunity to be innovative in solving big problems, too.

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The tenth guest is Chancellor Harold L. Martin from North Carolina, Agricultural and Technical State University. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The ninth guest is University of Maryland, Baltimore County President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. Together, they discussed his leadership, overcoming the challenges of this moment, and what is giving him hope. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Paul Fain, Contributing Editor of Inside Higher Ed, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The eighth guest is Ruth Watkins, president of The University of Utah. In a time of profound, rapid change, Ruth Watkins shares that it is an incredible privilege to do work that matters. She adds that it is time to address white privilege and to take action to change racism. -- "Sponsored in partnership with Inside Higher Ed. " Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The seventh guest is Angel Cabrera, president of Georgia Institute of Technology. Angel Cabrera has been running institutions for the past 15 years. This coming September 2020, will be his first year with Georgia Institute of Technology as its president. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The sixth guest is Dr. Shirley Collado, the president of Ithaca College since 2017, and a trustee of Vanderbilt University. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The fifth guest is the president of Oregon State University, Ed Ray. He has been the president since 2003; previously, he was provost at Ohio State University, and he is one of the founders of the University Innovation Alliance. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The fourth guest is Michael Drake, President of The Ohio State University and former Chancellor of the University of California, Irvine. He is a popular and well-loved personality who continues to inspire colleagues, students, and followers. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The third guest is Wendy Wintersteen, the first female president of Iowa State University and the former endowed dean of Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The second guest is Michael Sorrell, who is the president of Paul Quinn College. Sorrell is one of the 10 most innovative college presidents in the country and one of the world's top 50 leaders. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Jeff Selingo, author, columnist, and special advisor at Arizona State University, are inviting insight and experiences from presidents and chancellors of universities navigating the challenge in real-time. The first guest is Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University since 2002, and a recognized leader in higher education innovation. -- "This episode was sponsored in part by Next and the Academy for Innovation in Higher Education". Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/innovationalliance/message

Hello and welcome to the GSV Ventures Podcast, where we will be discussing the age of digital learning that has been kickstarted by the 1.6B learners forced online by the Coronavirus pandemic. As the world transitions from B.C. (Before Coronavirus) to A.D. (After Disease), an enormous catalyst has accelerated the opportunity of the future to today. Join industry leaders, educators, government officials, entrepreneurs, and investors as we explore the A.D. world. This episode is hosted by Bridget Burns, Executive Director, University Innovation Alliance. Our guests today include:Marni Baker Stein, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Western Governors UniversityArne Duncan, Former U.S. Secretary of EducationSal Khan, Founder & CEO, Khan AcademyPaul LeBlanc, President, Southern New Hampshire UniversityTed Mitchell, President, American Council on EducationThis episode of the GSV podcast is brought to you by the 2020 ASU GSV Summit, September 29th through October 1st at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California. The ASU GSV Summit wishes to thank our sponsor partners, including Strada Education Network, Kaplan, and Chegg. Please visit www.asugsvsummit.com for more information.

Higher education traditionally does not move quickly when it comes to innovation. However, the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing higher education institutions to do just that. Which is where the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) comes in. UIA, which is led by Dr. Bridget Burns, is a group of 11 universities that are committed to innovating together, scaling up what works and then sharing their efforts. These institutions are Oregon State University, University of California Riverside, Arizona State University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Kansas, Iowa State University, Purdue University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Georgia State University and University of Central Florida. Stemming the Crisis Up until now, UIA’s focus has been on closing the achievement gap, producing more high-quality degrees and fundamentally changing the higher education sector. Now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, UIA has shifted to identifying and sharing best practices for the rapidly changing higher education landscape. For example, higher education institutions need to address the pressing challenges facing the most vulnerable students in real time. Students are hungry, homeless, displaced and dealing with extra circumstances that weren’t anticipated. One institution had to spend an additional $5 million in a one-week period to provide transportation and to purchase housing, WIFI hot-spots and laptops for students who were being displaced. In addition, institutions are facing major unanticipated costs due to transitioning to online education. To facilitate this, Dr. Burns is currently focused on connecting institutions that are innovating in real-time during this crisis and then sharing their learning. Each institution is advancing in their work to address the challenges, while also being dependent on navigating their state’s policies and the community context. These challenges will continue to evolve and she is focused on helping institutions move more quickly through them. Stemming the Crisis Dr. Burns noted that the world is in a different place that it was at the beginning of the semester and communication has increased. Fortunately, there are individuals – such as former Tulane University President Scott Cowen, who led the institution in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina—who have been involved in major crisis situations and can provide counsel. These individuals help remind leaders about how to transition from day-to-day responsibilities and leading transformational efforts to what Burns describes as “rowing in high seas with a squall.” This is a completely different type of leadership, and involves a fundamentally different skill set. Institutions also are facing additional challenges to decision-making as higher education leaders need to work with state leaders, community leaders, university system leaders and accreditors to navigate this situation. Campus leaders must make brave and bold decisions; they often are also being deluged with negative feedback from online trolls once information is shared. Higher education leaders currently need to be focused on the daily issues they are facing. The situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is going to affect different populations, such as vulnerable low-income, first-generation students, in different ways. For example, students who came out s as LBGTQ and were kicked out of their homes; low-income, first-generation students who may be food-insecure or housing-insecure; international students who cannot return to their home countries – these are complicated situations that must be dealt with individually. Funders who have available resources need to get these money to higher education leaders, who are already identifying how to best use the money to support students, faculty and staff during this crisis. Crisis-fueled Student-Centered Innovation There is also a broader psychic stress in dealing with a layer-upon-layer challenge such as higher ed faces.  Dr. Burns stressed that during this crisis the UIA members are focusing on a student-centered approach, which is not how higher education traditionally has operated. This crisis will change the processes, structures, and how institutions work to focus around the needs of students, as opposed to faculty and administrators. There also will be innovation in the chaos and crisis – the “silver lining” if you will. Millions of faculty members have had to transition their style to online learning, thus learning how to evolve teaching and assets into this new paradigm. In another unexpected benefit, Dr. Burns believes people will be very grateful to be in school because it will offer a healthy and productive distraction. Virtual Opportunities We have long lived in an increasingly virtual world. However, higher education leaders now must learn how to take care of people through a virtual workplace. Campus administrators are used to face-to-face interactions, but now must learn how to manage teams and spot trends from a distance. All university employees are having to rearrange life to be able to work at home. Additionally, many people are getting laid off. Dr. Burns said she expects some institutions to begin unveiling opportunities for individuals who are being forced to change careers to retool. While it’s too late to start a new term, she suggests that institutions should investigate smaller modules that can serve these potential students, e.g., micro credentials and perhaps stackable certificates. These offer real opportunity, and accreditors will need to flow with this. However, there still needs to be vigilance because some institutions do prey on individuals in these situations. She recommends that potential students only consider attending accredited institutions. 3 Recommendations for Higher Education Leaders Dr. Burns suggested takeaways for higher education leaders who are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis: Your instincts are solid. You are making good decisions to help students, faculty, and staff make it through this. You do not need to lead perfectly right now. It’s important to show your humanity. People will follow a leader who is also experiencing the effects of this crisis. Take care of yourself. Leaders are older and shouldn’t put themselves at risk. Bullet Points The COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity for rapid innovation in higher education. The most important thing to do currently is take care of the needs of students. This will differ by student group. Be sure to focus on a student-centered approach. Higher education leaders are making good decisions in a time of crisis, even though they are receiving blowback from some. Some decisions have to be slowed due to the need to get feedback from state policymakers, community members, university system leaders and accreditors. Learn from other leaders who have been through similar trial-by-fire situations. This pandemic will speed up higher education’s use of online education and will lead to innovative teaching models. Higher education leaders also will have to learn to manage a virtual office. This again can lead to innovative practices. There also is an emerging opportunity to create modules to serve individuals who have been laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals will want to retool their professional abilities. Links to Articles, Apps, or websites mentioned during the interview: The University Innovation Alliance Bridget Burns Guests Social Media Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgetfburns/ Twitter: @BBurnsEDU The Change Leader’s Social Media Links: Website: https://thechangeleader.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdrumm/ Twitter: @thechangeldr Email: podcast@changinghighered.com

In sports, it's often stated that a good defense is the best offense. The same can be said when it comes to your investments. Setting up a protection for your assets will not only safeguard your future, but your loved ones as well. Attorney Bridget Burns of Tresp, Day & Associates joins Athena Paquette Cormier […]

About this Episode: Dr. Becker talks with Dr. Bridget Burns, founding executive director of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), a […]

Becker sits down with Bridget Burns, executive director of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), to talk about the work of the UIA, a partnership among 11 top public universities focused on student success. Burns talks about the impact of some of the UIA’s initiatives and the value and importance of collaboration among universities.

In this episode, we are featuring the Co-Founders of WomenED US, a grassroots movement to support and advocate for women in education in the US. Mary Bridget Burns and Anisha Ismail Patel share the mission of the movement, how they came to be part of the global Women ED movement, and their work in launching WomenED US. Join these awe inspiring women to learn more about their story in this advocacy series episode. Connect with Mary Bridget Burns: Mary on LinkedIN Mary on Twitter Connect with Anisha Ismail Patel: www.InnovusED.com | @GlobalAnisha | LinkedIN Connect with WomenED US: WomenED US on Twitter Women ED US Membership Form Awe Inspiring Recommendations: The Children in Room E4 Girls On the Edge Empatico 10%Braver--Book by WomenED Mothers of Invention podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/inawepodcast/message

Bridget Burns, Director of the Women's Environment and Development Organization, and Emilia Reyes, Coordinator of Gender Policies and Budgets at Equidad de Género, speak about the intersection of gender and climate change, their roles in international climate change negotiations, and what they expect at this year's U.N. Conference of Parties in Katowice, Poland. They were … Continue reading Bridget Burns and Emilia Reyes: The Intersection of Gender and International Climate Policy →

Mark Milliron sits down with Bridget Burns, Executive Director for University Innovation Alliance (UIA), to share how UIA is working with institutions on challenges they face as they are navigating through large-scale transformation. She also walks us through how institutions can illuminate new opportunities that will support their goals while also eliminating gaps on campuses for next level growth.

In this ParlAmericas Podcast episode, Bridget Burns, co-director of the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), delivers a keynote address titled “Gender Equality & Climate Policy: Words to Action,” in which she outlines the links between the gender equality and climate change agendas, and why it is critically important to jointly address these issues. She highlights practical steps that can be taken at the national level to apply a gender lens to the development of responses to climate change threats. She also provides an overview of the international frameworks that can guide these efforts. This presentation was recorded during the 10th Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network for Gender Equality, Gender-responsive Climate Action, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from May 22 to 24, 2018. At this gathering, participants discussed strategies for ensuring that national climate policies, plans, and legislation are informed by gender analysis, and that these are also in alignment with national and international development objectives.

Jeff and Michael sat down with Bridget Burns, the executive director of the University Innovation Alliance, who discussed how collaboration between higher ed institutions has helped solve some problems facing colleges and universities.

This episode was recorded at SXSWEDU. A BIG THANKS to edvinca and Class Central for sponsoring this episode.  What's in this episode? This week’s podcast features a recording from this year’s SXSWEDU where I interviewed general all-round duracell bunny Bridget Burns of the University Innovation Alliance. Bridget spoke to me about how University’s can focus on better student experience, value, and access through better collaboration and less walled garden approaches. If you’re familiar with JISC in the UK, you may be reminded of some similar methodologies, though I’d love to hear your thoughts as usual! So get tweeting, emailing, or send in a VM for inclusion.  People Sophie Bailey is the Founder and Presenter of The Edtech Podcast | Twitter: @podcastedtech Bridget Burns, Executive Director for University Innovation Alliance | Website | Twitter | LinkedIn If you enjoy listening in and you’d like to support The Edtech Podcast why not check out our Patreon, contact us about sponsoring an episode, or buy a ticket to The Edtech Podcast Festival in September?  Show Notes and References   Checkout https://theedtechpodcast.com/edtechpodcast for the full show notes  Tell us your story We'd love to hear your thoughts. Record a quick free voicemail via speakpipe for inclusion in the next episode. Or you can post your thoughts or follow-on links via twitter @podcastedtech or via The Edtech Podcast Facebook page or Instagram.

Dan Greenstein discusses how the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s postsecondary initiatives have changed, lessons learned, and the challenges of scaling up. Bridget Burns of the University Innovation Alliance and Deborah Santiago of Excelencia in Education compare data-driven interventions and innovative initiatives that promote equity and excellence.

Bridget Burns sees plenty of "superheroes"—26-year-old Silicon Valley types with good intentions, yet little understanding, for how to change higher education. Burns is executive director of the University Innovation Alliance, a coalition of 11 public research universities focused on making quality college degrees accessible to a diverse body of students. The UIA serves 400,000 students, more than a quarter of whom receive Pell grants. In this recording from an EdSurge Meetup, Burns shares what she wishes product developers understood about the challenges higher-ed institutions face.