We examine the important topic of student success with Drew Koch, the chief executive officer of the Gardner Institute which has been at the forefront of initiatives to improve student retention, equity, and academic outcomes for more than two decades. Drew discusses how the Gardner Institute works with institutions to assess, plan, and execute strategies that improve student success with measurable results and what institutions should think about as they work towards their own student success goals.

Paul LeBlanc, retired president of Southern New Hampshire University and the 2024 NACU Ernest Boyer Award recipient, shares his remarkable journey from a first-generation college student to leading the transformation of SNHU into the nation’s largest online university. In this episode, he reveals the “secret sauce” behind SNHU’s success and tackles pressing issues in higher education, including affordability, access, and the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling in an AI-driven workforce. LeBlanc reflects on the leadership qualities needed to navigate today’s challenges and emphasizes reclaiming Ernest Boyer’s legacy of truth and ethical action, even when it involves taking risks. This thought-provoking conversation explores how higher education can uphold social justice, revive the American Dream, and inspire institutions to lead with love—showing students that they truly matter.

Chris Haynes, associate professor in International Affairs, National Security, and Political Science at the University of New Haven talks about the changing nature of political science, the increasing political divide, and the impact of experiential learning on student development. Dr. Haynes is an expert on immigration, political framing, presidential elections, race and ethnicity, and the impact the changing media landscape is having on politics and public opinion. He is also the co-author of the book Framing Immigrants: News Coverage, Public Opinion, and Policy; founder and director of the University’s Model United Nations program; and the primary liaison between the University and the Washington Internship Institute.

Imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence in navigating college can happen to anybody, but it can especially be a problem for students who are the first in their families to attend college. These feelings can lead to poor academic performance and a lack of engagement with the campus community, making the path to graduation more challenging.  Our guest is Julie Carballo, Assistant Dean of Students for First-Generation and Military-Affiliated Initiatives at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, which has nearly 40% first-generation students. We'll talk about how their Cardinal First program provides essential support from enrollment through graduation, how the campus community values and supports first-generation students, and tips on what other institutions can learn from the Cardinal First program. To stay up-to-date, follow them on Instagram @firstgencardinals.

We discuss the story of how the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, born from the merger of two established institutions, undertook the complex process of rewriting its tenure code. As mergers in higher education become more common, the challenges of blending distinct cultures, policies, and faculty expectations are increasingly in the spotlight. Our guests are Linda Hanson, president emerita at Hamline University, and David Larson, law professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law and a Senior Fellow at the Dispute Resolution Institute. 

The campus dining experience has evolved significantly over the last several years as institutions and their students are more focused on global and regional flavors, healthy options, and sustainability. This episode features a conversation with Mel Sweeney Fetzer, National Senior Vice President for Commercial Growth at Sodexo, which provides catering and facilities management to clients in 45 countries.

Hidden among the headlines about struggling institutions, there are stories of colleges that are thriving. In this episode we talk with Chris Hopey, president of Merrimack College, which was once a small liberal arts college and is now poised to become a R2 doctoral degree-granting research institution.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered spring activities and college orientation for the class of 2020. Those young adults are this year's graduating college class. In this two-part episode, Liz Yates, dean of campus life at Moravian University, and Nicole Posluszny, assistant director for student engagement and leadership at Nazareth University, will talk about how their institutions planned special events to make up for the shortcomings of 2020.

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

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