Higher Ed Leaders by Viv Higher Education

In this episode, Greg Karzhevsky, founder of Jersey College, shares how a real workforce need led him to create a nursing school built for adult learners. What began as a way to support medically fragile children and the families who care for them grew into a multi-campus institution focused on student support, access, and outcomes. Greg walks through the challenges of building and scaling a highly regulated institution, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and how Jersey College continues to respond to the ongoing nursing shortage by meeting students where they are.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

Welcome to Higher Ed Leaders, the podcast for higher education professionals who believe colleges and universities are strongest when they are bold, adaptive, and built to last. This season, we’re again focused on entrepreneurial leadership, this time through founding and legacy stories;  exploring how institutions, schools, programs, and major initiatives were first imagined, launched, and sustained. Through conversations with presidents, vice presidents, and senior leaders, the podcast digs into decision-making with imperfect information, prioritization, and knowing when to move forward or say no, all with an eye toward long-term impact in higher education.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

In this episode, Carlow University President Kathy W. Humphrey shares her leadership story, shaped by her experience as a first-generation college student, her faith, and her lifelong comfort with navigating uncertainty. She reflects on Carlow’s founding mission to meet “the next great need” and how that legacy continues to guide the University’s growth today. Dr. Humphrey discusses entrepreneurial leadership in higher education, the importance of meeting students and employers where they are, and how staying grounded in purpose helps leaders navigate constant change, criticism, and challenge.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

In this episode of Higher Ed Leaders, Thom D. Chesney, President of Southwestern College, offers an in-depth look at his 40-year journey through higher education and the leadership lessons he has learned along the way. Now in his third presidency, Thom reflects on his path from faculty roles to executive leadership, the influence of his humanities background, and the value of servant leadership and curiosity in building a strong campus culture. He explains how Southwestern College's mission to transform consciousness through education shapes every part of its graduate programs, including art therapy, counseling, and visionary leadership.

Thom also discusses the college’s strategic focus on sustainable growth, the expansion of its continuing education offerings, and the ways it supports students and staff through a values-driven model centered on partnership, empowerment, mindfulness, and love. With a clear commitment to maintaining a sense of belonging while managing growth, Thom shares what it means to lead a purpose-driven institution in today’s higher education environment. This episode is filled with insights for anyone interested in leadership, campus culture, and creating meaningful impact in higher education.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

In this episode, President Michael Hammond of Gordon College shares his unconventional path into higher education leadership. His journey was not the result of a set career plan, but rather a desire to combine intellectual inquiry with meaningful community engagement.

He reflects on Gordon’s founding mission to provide education to marginalized individuals and to integrate Christian service with rigorous academic and professional preparation. As he discusses the current challenges facing Christian higher education, including the demographic cliff and evolving job markets, President Hammond emphasizes the importance of innovation, adaptability, and a clear Christian identity. He also highlights the value of giving faculty and deans greater autonomy to lead program development.

Throughout the conversation, he speaks to the importance of trust, collaborative leadership, and in-person connection in building a strong campus culture. He closes with optimism, believing institutions that offer both moral grounding and professional excellence will continue to be relevant. He also shares how the principle of “Unreasonable Hospitality” shapes his leadership, encouraging a culture of empathy, generosity, and care.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

In this episode, we delve into the transformative journey of Karlyn Crowley, Provost of Ohio Wesleyan University, exploring her profound impact on higher education. From her early experiences that solidified her belief in the liberal arts to her innovative leadership during the challenging times of the pandemic and beyond, Karlyn shares insights into fostering inclusive environments, navigating difficult conversations, and leading with empathy. We discuss her pivotal role in establishing the Cassandra Voss Center, her strategies for program prioritization, and her philosophy of "administrative joy," revealing how she effectively drives change while maintaining a deep commitment to student and faculty well-being. This conversation highlights the power of liberal arts education and the importance of creating spaces where meaningful dialogue and learning can thrive.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Jeff, a seasoned leader in higher education, currently serving as the president of Caldwell University. Jeff shares his unique and extensive career journey, moving from a faculty role to various administrative positions across diverse institutions, including large public universities, liberal arts colleges, and professional-focused schools. He details his approach to leadership, emphasizing transformation, strategic growth, and responsiveness to market demands. The discussion highlights Caldwell University's strategic priorities, including expanding professional programs in healthcare and technology, enhancing online learning, and increasing international student enrollment. Jeff also discusses the importance of building community partnerships, alternative revenue streams, and fostering a culture of action and engagement. 

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

In this episode, Kent, a seasoned higher education leader at Augustana College, shares his journey and insights into navigating the evolving landscape of higher education. He discusses Augustana's strategic initiatives, including a focus on student-ready campuses, immersive learning, and community engagement. He emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial leadership, deep listening, and adapting to market demands while preserving the value of a liberal arts education. Kent also highlights Augustana's successful international student recruitment strategy and the college's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

This episode features an interview with Monique Guillory, President of Dillard University, Louisiana's oldest HBCU. She discusses the challenges facing higher education, including the demographic cliff and the need to prove the value of a college degree. President Guillory outlines Dillard's strategy to address these challenges, focusing on a holistic liberal arts education, emphasizing fundamental skills like reading, writing, and critical thinking, and fostering an entrepreneurial campus. She highlights the Innovation Collective, a new residence hall designed to teach students about responsible social media use and content creation. The conversation also explores the importance of entrepreneurial leadership and adapting to the evolving needs of students and the workforce.

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

In this episode, Jenny shares her journey in higher education marketing, from her early days in the private sector to her current role as CMO at the University of Montana. She discusses the challenges of rebranding institutions, including navigating cultural tensions and internal skepticism, as exemplified by the "World Needs More Cowboys" campaign at the University of Wyoming. Jenny emphasizes the importance of community-driven branding, healing through brand, and cultivating a "flywheel" model that fosters long-term relationships with all audiences. She also provides valuable insights into entrepreneurial leadership in higher education, focusing on speed of implementation, ownership, and continuous improvement. 

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education 

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.

Website: https://vivhied.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/