AAUA: Creating the Future of Higher Education

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Why Staff Governance Matters in Higher Ed | Staff Councils, Leadership & Equity

Who really knows how a college or university runs? In this episode of Creating the Future of Higher Education, the podcast of the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA), host and AAUA Board member Dr. Tim Jansa talks with Dr. Kate Legnetti of NYU Steinhardt about one of the most overlooked drivers of institutional success: professional staff governance.

Faculty governance is well established, but advisors, student affairs professionals, and other administrators often have little formal say in decisions, even though they hold deep institutional knowledge and work with students every day. Drawing on her research across five institutions and her own experience, Dr. Legnetti explains why the lack of a clear definition of "staff" weakens leadership, and how well-designed staff councils and shared governance structures build professional confidence, connect people across campus, improve retention, and give women and other underrepresented groups a seat where decisions are made.

She describes what successful staff councils need: senior champions she calls Administrative Supporters and Liaisons (ASLs), real recognition for service, and dependable support from managers. She also shows how a "fair process" approach to change, built on clear expectations, genuine engagement and transparency, helps leaders roll out initiatives without demoralizing the frontline staff who carry them out. Presidents, provosts, deans, department chairs and managers at every level will come away with practical ideas for building relational capital and treating staff as true partners in shaping the future of higher education.

KEYWORDS: professional staff governance, higher education leadership, staff councils in higher education, shared governance higher ed, higher ed administration, university staff engagement, staff retention in higher education, change management in higher education, fair process leadership, relational capital, women in higher education leadership, student affairs professionals, academic advising leadership, AAUA podcast, Creating the Future of Higher Education

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Career Readiness in Higher Education: Building ‘Better Than Ready’ Graduates

In this episode of “Creating the Future of Higher Education” from the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA), host Dr. Sandra Affenito and co-moderator Dr. Tim Jansa talk with Paul Lavoie, Vice President of Innovation and Applied Technology at the University of New Haven and former Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut, about how colleges and universities can truly prepare students for the future of work.

Lavoie introduces the “Better Than Ready” model—built on industry-informed curriculum, experiential learning, durable skills, and transforming career centers into job placement hubs—and shares how the University of New Haven is partnering with industry through initiatives like the Elevation Center and a regional consortium of institutions.

Higher education leaders and administrators will gain practical insights on career readiness, workforce development, breaking down silos, and designing an ROI-driven student experience that resonates with employers and students alike.

This conversation invites listeners to engage more deeply with AAUA’s community, including its national conference and ongoing professional development opportunities for academic leaders.

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Creating the Caring University: Higher Education Leadership, Employee Well-Being, and Organizational Change

In this AAUA podcast episode, Dr. Kevin McClure, distinguished professor of college leadership and organizational change at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and author of "The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace after the Great Resignation," joins host Dr. Tim Jansa and AAUA President & CEO Dr. Sandra Affenito to explore how institutions can reimagine the higher education workplace, strengthen the employee value proposition, and truly become learning organizations.

Speaking directly to college and university leaders, department chairs, deans, and senior administrators, McClure unpacks why employee engagement, well-being, psychological safety, and people-centered leadership are essential to realizing the higher education value proposition—and how “tempered radicals” and small wins can drive meaningful organizational change across fragmented campuses.

Listeners will gain practical insights on breaking down silos, leading through discomfort with intellectual humility, and aligning student success with a healthier, more sustainable workplace for faculty and staff.

This episode is part of AAUA’s 2026 series leading up to its national conference at Cleveland State University, and is an ideal listen for higher ed professionals interested in leadership development, organizational change, and the future of higher education—as well as those considering joining AAUA or attending the annual conference to deepen their impact.

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On the final day of the AAUA conference, Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, a Professor at the University of Texas Arlington, shared his thoughts on AI and the Future of Higher Education: Enabler or Destroyer?

While the focus of his talk was AI, Dr. Karbhari addressed whether we, in higher ed, are willing to make the changes that will pave the way for a future where technology empowers graduates to thrive in a rapidly converging world, or if we will allow ourselves to lose relevance and leadership. Dr. Karbhari is introduced by AAUA Board Member Colin Coyne.

To learn more about AAUA, go to https://aaua.org/

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Teresa Lubbers, President of the Sagamore Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana, was the featured speaker on the final day of the AAUA 2024 conference. The Institute was founded as a think tank that moves ideas into action. The institute has a network of scholars, policy experts, and innovators to advance innovative solutions to the world’s biggest problems. Lubbers is speaking on the topic of “Moving Toward 2040: Higher Education’s Role in a Changing Economy” based on a recent study by the Sagamore Institute. We join Lubbers as she begins her remarks.

For more information on AAUA, go to https://aaua.org/, and for The Sagamore Institute, go to https://sagamoreinstitute.org/

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In this program, Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond, President of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), speaks on the topic of "Accreditation: Sustaining Quality through the Complexities of Change." She is introduced by AAUA Board member Sister Ann Heath.

To learn more about joining the American Association of University Administrators, go to www.aaua.org.

To learn more about CHEA, go to https://www.chea.org/

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In this special episode, the upcoming American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) Conference is discussed. It will be held from October 14-16, 2024, at Indiana University. The conference, focused on the theme “The Future of Higher Education: Reimagining Higher Education and Work in the Age of Disruption,” will feature workshops, keynote addresses, and panel discussions led by prominent figures in higher education.

Topics covered include

• mergers and acquisitions in higher education,
• the evolution of the modern learner,
• the role of education in a prosperous future,
• the intersection of sports and academics,
• the importance of accreditation, and
• the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education.

The conference aims to facilitate collaboration among higher education administrators and provide insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities facing the field today.

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Dr. Lynn Burks, Chair of AAUA's Professional Development Committee, and committee members Matt Roche and Dr. Alisa Fleming discuss the launching of the "AAUA Mentoring Community" program at the 2024 AAUA Conference, which will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 14 to 16.

The year-long "Mentoring Community" program aimed at "Creating powerful peer-to-peer relationships to enhance the skills and knowledge of current and aspiring administrators regarding their respective positions/titles."

The program was carefully designed to fill a gap in leadership development, especially for entry- and mid-level leaders in higher education. Burks notes that by focusing on mentoring, the program aims to address the critical need for succession planning for all levels of leadership in higher education. It will help prepare the next generation of leaders, ensuring a smooth transition of knowledge and skills within academic institutions.

Mentoring Communities will debut at the 2024 conference within a two-hour session, These communities will provide a space for attendees to connect, learn, and discuss relevant topics in education. Monthly check-ins will follow the conference to encourage ongoing conversation and growth. Mentoring Community Topics include;

• Cultivating tomorrow's competencies
• Influencing without authority
• Inclusive well-being in the workplace
• Visionary academic leadership
• Fostering resilience in Generation Z

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Joining us today for this conversation is Dr. Lisa L. Campbell, who is a keynote speaker, healthcare consultant, and growth coach with over three decades of healthcare and leadership experience. She earned a PhD and Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and a Master’s in Project Management.

Dr. Campbell possesses 11 certifications in Health Information Management, Clinical Documentation, Healthcare Compliance, Medical Billing, Auditing, and Coding, clearly demonstrating her commitment to learning. Since two thousand and three, Dr. Campbell has delivered engaging and informative educational sessions to diverse audiences, nationally and internationally, showcasing her strong desire to inspire and educate others.

The author of Grow With Me, Dr. Campbell, believes in empowering others through mentoring, coaching, and innovation to advance a growth mindset. Throughout her journey, she has always believed in a better, more innovative way and has been driven to selflessly share her insights with others.

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American Association of University Administrators Board members and series co-hosts Dr. Lynn Burks and Dr. Sandra Affenito speak with Travis Averett, IT Solutions Manager, Learning Technologies at DeVry University, and Gio Durate, Senior Director of Classroom Experience & Innovation - Adtalem Global Education