Caltech’s board once had nearly 80 members; too many for focused discussion or quick decisions.

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Cathy Light, Caltech’s Secretary of the Board, about how the institution streamlined governance, strengthened committees, and made trustee reorientation mandatory.

Light, who has held senior roles at Carnegie Mellon University and the Semester at Sea program, outlines how Caltech conducts trustee assessments, structures its executive committee, and uses an ongoing governance review to keep the board working at its best.

Topics Covered:

• Governance changes prompted by the pandemic

• Defining trustee responsibilities in 2025

• Using the executive committee for responsive decision-making

• The role of the governance and nominating committee

• Trustee assessments and renewal decisions

• Making orientation and reorientation standard practice

• Maintaining strategic oversight without micromanaging

• Involving alumni and students without adding voting seats

Real-World Examples:

• Reducing the board from 80 members to a manageable size

• Giving young alumni trustees full voting rights

• Using retreats and campus visits to connect trustees with faculty research

Three Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Keep governance review continuous and adaptive.

2. Use orientation and reorientation to maintain alignment.

3. Structure boards for informed, timely decisions without overstepping into operations.

For presidents, trustees, board chairs, board secretaries, and governance committees aiming to improve board effectiveness.

Read the transcript:  https://changinghighered.com/caltech-private-higher-education-board-governance-model/

#HigherEdGovernance #BoardGovernance #HigherEducationPodcast #HigherEdGovernanceModel

40% of California’s licensed doctoral psychologists come from one university that nearly failed a decade ago. Their turnaround didn’t come from diversifying programs or chasing enrollment—it came from making the hardest decision in higher ed: cutting what wasn’t excellent.

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Andy Vaughn, President and CEO of Alliant International University, about how institutional leaders can drive university transformation by making tough calls, realigning programs, and embedding scalable mental health support into their core operations.

Drawing from Alliant’s strategic shift, Vaughn explains why program focus and transparent leadership are more effective than traditional diversification models. He shares how embedding mental health services into academic programs created both a market advantage and a support system for students, faculty, and staff.

Topics Covered:

• Why eliminating underperforming programs can drive institutional transformation

• How program realignment strengthens financial stability and market positioning

• Embedding scalable mental health services into academic programs and operations

• The leadership imperative: transparency, inclusion, and decisive action

• Codifying organizational values to guide behavior and decision-making

• Managing faculty-administration relations with professionalism and respect

• Preparing for unprecedented policy and legislative changes impacting higher ed

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• Alliant International University’s strategic focus on licensure-driven programs

• The integration of Alliant Clinics, providing community mental health services

• Leadership communication practices to maintain trust during operational changes

• Partnering with psychology schools for scalable mental health service delivery

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Codify and normalize institutional values so that decision-making and behaviors align across all levels.

2. Be transparent with stakeholders about challenges and solutions, fostering trust and shared ownership of outcomes.

3. Involve the entire institution—including part-time staff—in transformation efforts to ensure unified execution during critical periods.

This episode offers a practical framework for institutional leaders navigating transformation, operational challenges, and the rising demand for campus-wide mental health support.

Recommended For: Presidents, trustees, provosts, CFOs, student affairs leaders, and higher education executives focused on institutional sustainability and student success.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/university-transformation-program-focus-scalable-mental-health/

#UniversityTransformation #HigherEdLeadership #MentalHealthSupport #ProgramRealignment #HigherEducationPodcast

With first-generation and low SES students facing steep barriers to completion and career entry, Great Jobs KC has built a replicable model that starts in high school, continues through college, and delivers real workforce outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Great Jobs KC CEO Earl Martin Phalen about how regional collaboration, wraparound services, and employer partnerships are helping underserved students succeed beyond graduation.

Phalen outlines how Great Jobs KC collaborates with 24 higher education institutions, over 150 employer partners, and K–12 feeder systems to support students from high school through college graduation and into strong first jobs. Through initiatives like KC Scholars and the Great Jobs KC scholarship, the organization provides $50,000 per student for tuition, transportation, and wraparound support—including case managers, success coaches, and career placement services.

This episode offers practical, data-backed insights for institutional leaders working to improve retention, increase degree completion, and strengthen job placement results for underserved students through strategic regional partnerships.

• The unique needs of first-generation and low SES students
• Designing holistic support systems that extend beyond financial aid
• How to build college-employer partnerships that deliver job outcomes
• Regional collaboration between 24 colleges and over 150 employers
• The role of scholar advocates and success coaches in student persistence
• How investing $50,000 per student can produce high ROI
• Measuring impact: retention, completion, and employment rates

• Great Jobs KC’s partnership with regional colleges, including UMKC, Avila, William Jewell, and Donnelly College
• How the KC Scholars program helps high school students complete FAFSA, ACT prep, and college planning
• Employer partnership models, including apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning
• The importance of wraparound services like transportation and mental health support in student success
• Scholar experiences navigating college with the help of long-term coaching

1. Institutions that want to serve first-gen and low-income students need more than scholarships—they need scalable systems of support.
2. Long-term coaching and employer-aligned programs can dramatically improve retention, completion, and career outcomes.
3. Regional collaboration between colleges, K–12 schools, and employers isn’t just ideal—it’s necessary to build equitable education-to-career pipelines.

Presidents, provosts, trustees, enrollment and student success leaders, and system executives seeking replicable strategies to improve access, retention, completion, and career outcomes for first-generation and low SES students.

Read the transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/first-gen-and-low-ses-student-success-strategies/

#HigherEdLeadership #StudentSuccess #FirstGenStudents #LowSESStudentSuccess #RegionalCollaboration #HigherEducationPodcast

Higher education leaders are facing the most sweeping set of federal regulatory and funding changes in over a decade. In this Washington Update episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes back frequent guest Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies, to discuss the July 2025 budget reconciliation bill—federal legislation that significantly alters student loans, Pell Grants, institutional accountability, and the rules governing program eligibility.

While not a formal reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the bill introduces statutory earnings-based accountability for degree programs, lifetime loan caps, professional judgment changes, and new eligibility requirements for short-term Pell programs.

Netting also discusses concurrent developments in accreditation and distance education oversight, including the rise of a new accreditor in Florida and its potential implications for NC-SARA and federal triad stability.

This episode is a must-listen for presidents, trustees, CFOs, and compliance officers preparing for upcoming reporting deadlines, new negotiated rulemaking cycles, and long-term institutional planning under new federal constraints.

• How the July 2025 reconciliation bill rewrites federal student aid and accountability rules
• What the new earnings-based accountability measure means for degree programs
• Pell Grant expansion for short-term workforce programs and the required outcomes thresholds
• The elimination of Grad PLUS loans and new lifetime borrowing caps for students and families
• Changes to professional judgment authority and how institutions can apply it by cohort
• New 90/10 revenue guidance and how it affects distance education classifications
• Delayed implementation of Borrower Defense and Closed School Discharge regulations
• The emergence of Florida’s state-based accreditor and its expected NACIQI review
• Why NC-SARA recognition may be impacted by nontraditional accreditation
• The likelihood of a second reconciliation bill or technical corrections package

1. Institutional leaders must prepare now for dual accountability frameworks and new reporting obligations.
2. Expanded professional judgment offers new flexibility but must be applied with consistency and clear documentation.
3. Accreditation and state authorization pathways are shifting—compliance teams must monitor evolving standards across federal and state lines.

This episode provides critical insights for leaders navigating a changing regulatory environment, with practical implications for finance, compliance, and academic planning.

Recommended For: Presidents, trustees, chief financial officers, compliance officers, and accreditation liaisons responsible for institutional strategy and Title IV eligibility.

Read the transcript:  https://changinghighered.com/washington-update-july-2025-reconciliation-bill-impact-on-higher-ed/

#HigherEdPolicy #July2025ReconciliationBill #FinancialAidCompliance #FederalLegislation #HigherEducationPodcast

Most colleges rely on more than 20 disconnected systems to support students, creating confusion, reducing engagement, and lowering graduation rates.

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Elliot Felix is the founder of brightspot Strategy (acquired by Buro Happold in 2020) and the author of The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success about how building integrated systems where strategy, services, and technology work together can improve student outcomes without increasing institutional complexity or cost.

Felix, who has worked with more than 100 institutions including MIT, NYU, and the University of Virginia, draws on his background in architecture and design thinking to offer practical solutions for breaking down silos and creating seamless student experiences. This conversation provides actionable strategies for institutional leaders seeking to move from fragmentation to alignment while managing limited resources.

This episode is particularly valuable for presidents, trustees, and senior administrators looking to redesign operations and improve student success through systemic coordination rather than adding more programs and services.

Topics Covered:

• Why the "additive culture" in higher education creates operational sprawl and student confusion
• How design thinking can transform institutional strategy and student experience
• Practical approaches to breaking down silos without major reorganizations
• Using RACI models and governance structures to enable faster, smarter decisions
• The critical importance of aligning strategic planning with budget decisions
• Reframing risk as a condition for progress through prototyping and piloting
• Strategic partnerships as tools for expanding capacity without internal complexity

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• NYU's transformation of computer labs into "connect and create" collaborative spaces
• UVA's co-location of different advising functions for seamless student support
• Purdue University's Communicators Council as a model for decentralized coordination
• Colorado State's IT governance process for strategic technology investments
• The pitfall of institutions with both writing centers and writing labs in the same building
• Quinnipiac's healthcare partnership providing both services and talent pipeline
• Amarillo College's community partnerships that increased graduation rates from 14% to 65-80%

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

• Create a focused strategy that prioritizes where to invest, makes hard tradeoffs, and aligns budget with institutional goals
• Break the cycle of fragmentation by consolidating services and systems to improve access, reduce duplication, and enhance outcomes
• Reframe risk as progress by encouraging piloting and iteration to unlock innovation without waiting for consensus or perfection

This episode offers institutional leaders a clear, actionable framework for moving from fragmentation to alignment while improving student outcomes through strategic execution rather than adding complexity.

Recommended For: Presidents, trustees, chief academic officers, student affairs leaders, and institutional planning teams focused on improving student success through systemic coordination.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/connected-college-strategy-to-improve-student-success/

#HigherEdLeadership #StudentSuccess #InstitutionalStrategy #HigherEducationPodcast

AI can change how colleges and universities approach enrollment, making it faster, fairer, and more aligned with student success. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Ashish Fernando, founder and CEO of EDMO and iSchoolConnect, about how institutions can use artificial intelligence to improve admissions, automate routine tasks, and personalize support without losing the human touch.

Drawing on real-world implementations at Western Governors University, Franklin University, and others, Fernando outlines how AI enables institutions to make faster admissions decisions, better assess student fit, and improve long-term outcomes. He also explains where human judgment still matters and why redesigning broken enrollment processes is critical before adding automation.

This episode offers practical insights for presidents, provosts, enrollment leaders, and trustees seeking to modernize recruitment, increase yield, and align institutional capacity with student expectations.

• Why enrollment strategy must prioritize student fit, not just volume
• How AI improves speed to decision and impacts yield
• What admissions tasks are appropriate for automation
• The strategic value of chatbots and real-time decision systems
• How to avoid automating broken or biased processes
• Balancing technology with human counseling in admissions
• Real-world examples of AI implementation in higher education

• Western Governors University’s scalable, self-paced enrollment model
• Franklin University’s five-minute transfer evaluation and admissions decision
• NYU’s BobChat and chatbot-supported student services National University’s approach to AI infrastructure

1. Think from the outside in. Understand student motivations and design enrollment to reflect their needs and expectations.
2. Use speed as strategy. Institutions that respond quickly improve yield, reduce melt, and gain a competitive edge.
3. Embed AI in operations. Treat AI as infrastructure built to support staff, not replace them.

Read the transcript:  https://changinghighered.com/how-to-use-ai-to-improve-enrollment-and-admissions/

#HigherEdEnrollment #AIinHigherEd #AdmissionsStrategy #HigherEducationPodcast #InstitutionalEffectiveness

Digital transformation in higher education often focuses on technology. But for Utah State University, the transformation has been about outcomes: improving retention, strengthening equity, and building scalable systems of support without overhauling infrastructure.

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Rene Eborn, Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Deputy of Digital Transformation at Utah State University, about how the institution designed and implemented a connected campus strategy that integrates advising, communications, and academic support into a single mobile-first platform.

Drawing on her decades of experience in higher ed and edtech leadership, Eborn shares how USU replaced nine siloed tools with five integrated platforms, enabling early alerts, AI-powered nudges, and real-time visibility across departments. She explains how this model supports faculty, staff, and especially underserved student populations—including first-generation, commuter, and online learners—by surfacing what students need, when they need it.

This conversation is especially relevant for institutional leaders looking to align digital infrastructure with student success goals, without ballooning their tech stack or losing sight of their mission.

Topics Covered:

• Why USU’s connected campus approach focuses on student equity and support

• How the university integrated CRM, LMS, advising, and communications systems

• The role of AI nudges and early alerts in preventing student disengagement

• How faculty and staff use the system to support students in real time

• What the rollout process looked like—and why stakeholder involvement was key

• What’s next: building toward a full 360-degree student lifecycle view

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• A first-generation student juggling three jobs flagged by the early alert system and connected to scholarship resources in time

• Student dashboards that surface personalized academic, advising, and financial steps

• A platform expansion that now includes parents, alumni, and prospective students

• High adoption rates driven by student feedback and design input

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

• Technology should be integrated, not layered—start with user needs and existing infrastructure.

• Faculty and staff buy-in depends on systems that make their work easier, not more complicated.

• Student success improves when support is timely, personalized, and accessible—especially for those who need it most.

This episode offers a practical look at what’s possible when digital transformation is driven by strategy, not software—and why connected campuses may be one of the most effective ways to support today’s diverse student population.

Recommended For: Presidents, provosts, CIOs, trustees, enrollment managers, and student success leaders building or scaling student-centered infrastructure.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/creating-a-connected-campus-strategy-for-student-success/

#ConnectedCampus #StudentSuccess #HigherEdTechnology #HigherEducationPodcast #DigitalTransformation

How Cross-Sector Partnerships Help Adult Learners Return, Persist, and Complete Degrees

With over 41 million adults in the U.S. holding some college credit but no degree, colleges and universities are under pressure to implement effective adult learner enrollment strategies. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Malik Brown, President and CEO of Graduate Philadelphia, about how institutions can re-engage students who have stopped out through cross-sector partnerships that support enrollment, retention, and degree completion.

Drawing on their real-world experience in higher education and workforce development, McNaughton and Brown discuss how adult learners face unique barriers—including affordability, caregiving responsibilities, and outdated enrollment systems—and how intermediaries like nonprofits and employers can play a crucial role in supporting their return to college. The episode outlines practical, replicable strategies that institutional leaders can adopt to build sustainable pipelines for adult learner success.

This conversation is especially valuable for higher ed presidents, provosts, and enrollment leaders tasked with addressing demographic shifts and declining enrollments while aligning with workforce and community needs.

Topics Covered:

• The economic and social reasons over 41 million Americans have stopped out

• Why adult learners need support from application through graduation

• How partnerships with nonprofits, employers, and funders extend institutional capacity

• The importance of stackable credentials aligned to labor market needs

• Why re-enrollment strategies must include systems changes and credit articulation

• Reducing friction in the application, financial aid, and credit transfer processes

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• Graduate Philadelphia’s intermediary role connecting students, colleges, and employers

• How employers can provide scheduling flexibility and tuition assistance

• Use of workforce credentials as an on-ramp to degrees

• Models for credit articulation and co-governed partnerships

• Community-based navigation support that increases persistence and completion

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Build integrated partnerships that extend institutional reach. Nonprofits, workforce boards, and employers provide essential wraparound services that help adult learners succeed.

2. Design stackable pathways that start with workforce credentials. These programs allow adults to earn income and confidence while progressing toward a degree.

3. Fix enrollment systems that weren’t built for adults. From transcript access to unpaid balances, institutions must streamline re-entry to remove avoidable barriers.

This episode provides a framework for institutional leaders seeking actionable strategies to re-enroll adult learners and support them through to graduation.

Recommended For: Presidents, provosts, chief enrollment officers, board members, continuing education leaders, and workforce development professionals focused on adult learners and institutional sustainability.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/adult-learner-enrollment-completion-partnerships/

#AdultLearners #HigherEdEnrollment #WorkforcePartnerships #HigherEducationPodcast #DegreeCompletion  #ChangingHigherEd

Higher education leaders are searching for better ways to engage students, improve retention, and close equity gaps—especially in the wake of COVID-related learning disruptions. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Justin Shaffer, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Teaching Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. They discuss Dr. Shaffer’s book, High Structure Course Design, which offers a proven framework for transforming student outcomes.

High structure course design—built on clarity, repetition, feedback, and engagement—originated in STEM education but is now widely recognized as effective across disciplines. This approach doesn't water down rigor; it scaffolds the learning process so students at all levels can succeed. The result: better retention, higher achievement, and greater equity in academic outcomes.

This conversation is especially relevant for institutional leaders seeking to scale evidence-based instructional practices and boost institutional performance.

Topics Covered:

• Why many students struggle in gateway courses and what faculty can do differently

• The long-term effects of post-COVID learning disruptions on student readiness

• Three structural layers that drive student engagement and retention

• Four foundational principles that support learning across all disciplines

• How high structure pedagogy closes equity gaps without lowering standards

• The undervalued impact of teaching-focused faculty on student success

• Infrastructure and leadership decisions that enable faculty innovation

• How structured courses also improve career readiness and workforce outcomes

Real-World Examples:

• 40–60% failure rates improved through course redesign

• A biology field course that teaches both science and professional skills

• Centers for teaching and learning that support faculty-wide improvements

Three Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Course design is one of the most powerful and underused levers for retention and equity.

2. Teaching-focused faculty are essential institutional assets and must be supported.

3. Scalable infrastructure for instructional quality is not optional—it’s a strategic necessity.

Recommended For: Presidents, provosts, academic leaders, board members, and faculty development directors who want scalable ways to boost student success and institutional outcomes.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/high-structure-course-design-for-student-engagement-retention-and-success/

#HigherEdLeadership #RetentionStrategies  #StudentSuccess 

Shared services and consolidation strategies are helping struggling small colleges stabilize operations, reduce costs, and pursue sustainable growth—without compromising institutional identity or student outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Jason Duggan, CEO of Thesis Elements, about how these approaches are being used to help small colleges strengthen efficiency and financial sustainability.

Drawing on his experience helping small colleges modernize their operations through cloud-based student information systems, Duggan explores how shared services, academic partnerships, and digital transformation are enabling institutions to manage costs and expand capacity. He also offers insights into how leadership teams and boards are approaching these strategies in the current financial and demographic environment.

This conversation is especially relevant for presidents, trustees, and senior leadership teams evaluating whether shared services or consolidation strategies could support their institution’s long-term mission and sustainability.

Topics Covered:

• The financial and operational pressures driving small colleges to explore shared services and consolidation

• How administrative shared services are helping reduce overhead and improve service quality

• Strategic approaches to institutional consolidation and how they can support enrollment and operational goals

• Academic resource-sharing models and their role in expanding offerings while managing instructional costs

• Innovative financial and academic strategies to strengthen institutional resilience

• The role of cloud-based systems and digital transformation in supporting shared services and operational agility

• How presidents and boards are facilitating leadership conversations about shared services and consolidation

• Key considerations for aligning shared services and consolidation initiatives with institutional mission and values

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Clarify institutional mission and target audience to guide strategic planning and resource allocation.

2. Prioritize student success and retention as core drivers of institutional resilience.

3. Evaluate shared services and consolidation strategies as potential options for improving efficiency and long-term sustainability.

This episode offers valuable insights for institutional leaders exploring new operational models to support their mission and navigate today’s higher education landscape.

Recommended For: Presidents, trustees, board members, chief financial officers, provosts, and senior administrative leaders focused on institutional sustainability and operational strategy.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/shared-services-and-consolidation-strategies-for-small-colleges/

#HigherEdLeadership #SharedServices #ConsolidationStrategies #HigherEducationPodcast