In this episode, Mark Need, venture legal analyst in residence at IU Ventures and professor and clinical director at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, joins the podcast to discuss how law degrees translate into careers across higher education. Mark shares guidance for JDs who want to work with students but struggle to break into higher ed without traditional academic experience, including how to position their skills in the hiring process. He also explains how legal training fits naturally into experiential learning programs, law schools, general counsel offices, and broader university administration. The conversation offers insight for legally trained professionals exploring ways to build student-facing careers on campus.

In this episode, HigherEdJobs contributor Joe Brennan’s article, “What I Learned From My Worst Interview Ever,” prompts a conversation about power dynamics, red flags, and professionalism in academic hiring. Andy and Kelly unpack how hostile interview behaviors often signal deeper cultural issues, why inappropriate questions matter, and how candidates can protect their confidence while assessing fit. Together, they explore  strategies for navigating difficult interviews and reframing bad experiences as valuable insight into whether an institution is truly worth joining.

In part two of the conversation, Dr. José Antonio Bowen and Dr. Edward Watson continue exploring how higher education can move from uncertainty toward thoughtful use of AI. They reflect on where human relationships still matter most, how AI can support expert thinking, and what responsible experimentation might look like as campuses adapt.

In this episode, Dr. José Antonio Bowen and Dr. Edward Watson join the podcast to discuss how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and faculty roles in higher education. They reflect on faculty anxiety, grief, and experimentation as campuses adapt to rapid change, and explain how AI is beginning to shift our relationship with knowledge, thinking, and creativity. The conversation also looks into what responsible AI literacy really means, and why campuses may need to move faster and more flexibly than traditional curriculum cycles allow.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR leader Kathleen Hermacinski weighs in on whether it’s appropriate to reach out to someone who previously held a role you’re considering. She talks through when that outreach can be helpful, how to approach it respectfully, and why asking permission or being mindful of existing relationships matters in higher education’s close-knit environment. Kathleen also explains the limits of relying on a former incumbent’s perspective, including bias, timing, and legal considerations, and why that insight should be treated as just one piece of the picture. Andy and Kelly add context around implicit bias, professionalism, and how much candidates can realistically learn outside the formal interview process.

This second part of the year-end roundtable continues the conversation with the HigherEdJobs editorial team as they dig into a few more pieces that resonated this year. The group talks about supporting military-affiliated students during major transitions and why awareness across campus matters just as much as policy. They also reflect on emotional intelligence in moments when students question their place in higher education, drawing on advising and classroom experiences. The episode wraps up with a broader conversation about career transitions, belonging, and the importance of showing empathy and grace, both to others and to ourselves.

In this end-of-the-year roundtable episode, members of the HigherEdJobs editorial team reflect on several standout articles and conversations from the past year. They discuss burnout and well-being across higher education, including why self-care looks different depending on role, career stage, and personal responsibilities. The group also explores the idea of the “inner taskmaster,” sharing how unrealistic expectations and productivity guilt show up for many professionals. The conversation closes with a look at supporting military-affiliated students, focusing on how clear policies and campus awareness can make a meaningful difference during major transitions.

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dr. Yi Hao and Dr. Mallory Neil respond to a listener’s question about requesting support to attend a professional conference when funding is limited. They discuss how to frame the conversation around shared goals, prepare a clear and realistic proposal, and think through alternatives when travel is not an option. Yi and Mallory also explore options such as presenting, volunteering, virtual attendance, regional events, and external funding. The episode also considers the issue from a supervisor’s perspective, including transparency, equity, retention, and the role professional development plays in long-term growth within higher education.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Parson, associate professor of educational and organizational leadership at North Dakota State University, joins the podcast to talk about how empathy can shape daily life in higher education. Dr. Parson explains what it means to understand someone’s perspective, how self-awareness influences our reactions, and why timing matters when supporting students and colleagues. She also shares practical moments from campus life, including knowing when to pause, listen, and set a boundary. The conversation offers guidance for higher ed professionals who want to create a more supportive environment for the people they work with and serve.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Kathleen Hermacinski joins the show to discuss how candidates can assess an institution’s approach to work-life balance without asking the question directly. She shares different ways to inquire about weekly rhythms, busy seasons, team support, and leadership modeling. Kathleen also explains what inconsistencies, vague answers, or “family” language may signal, and why observing the communication style during the search offers important clues.