IngenioUs

 In his most recent ⁠IngenioUs⁠ blog article, ⁠David J Staley ⁠asks universities to consider long-term visionary thinking as an important tool for ensuring their relevance. According to Staley, this means taking to heart the meaning of "visionary" leadership, something he suggests most university boards don't really want. As Staley astutely points out, the art of envisioning something radically different from what the rest of us see today may be too discomforting and disruptive for most university boards to manage. This article is one of Staley's most compelling reads and speaks succinctly to the disconnect between how so many higher education institutions operate today and what is required for long-term viability.

In this mini episode of an IngenioUs, Dr. Lauren Way speaks with Dr. Reena Lichtenfeld, presenter for our upcoming leading edge thinking in higher education webinar entitled, 'From SMART Goals to Stellar Teams: The Power of Trust and Accountability.' In this webinar preview episode, we learn about the "Accountability With Care" system, an approach that equips higher ed leaders with the tools and strategies to cultivate a culture of trust and accountability, ensuring your teams not only meet but exceed their potential. The webinar is scheduled for December 13 at 12:00 noon (ET). To register, see here.

In her latest IngenioUs Blog article, Kristine Barnett suggests that the act of courageous leadership is not just about the destination but the journey of personal and professional development that goes beyond the institution's walls. And while not everyone is born with an abundance of "intestinal fortitude," Barnett says it can be nurtured over time through self-awareness, commitment to growth, and cultivating a positive space for achieving objectives. Listen here for more guidance on becoming a courageous leader.

In his latest ⁠IngenioUs University Design blog⁠ article, ⁠David J. Staley ⁠reviews a new, provocative collection of essays, edited by Seth Rudy and Rachael Scarborough King, entitled ⁠The Ends of Knowledge: Outcomes and Endpoints Across the Arts and Sciences ⁠(2023). As others have pointed out, 'this is a book about why we do what we do, and how we might know when we are done.' Given the current higher ed landscape where “humanities scholars, social scientists, and natural scientists [are] all forced to defend their work, from accusations of the ‘hoax’ of climate change to assumptions of the ‘usefulness’ of a humanities degree," this book and Staley's article have particular relevance.

Academic leadership is an incredibly engaging discipline in its own right. You may hold a degree in educational leadership, have devoured countless books or articles, or relished a stellar podcast or two. Even among other leaders at diverse organizations – all striving for similar goals—the journey of a senior leader can be solitary. Many believe that leadership varies greatly across different institutions. Colleagues may say, “You just don’t know what it’s like here!” Indeed, organizational cultures, specific stakeholders, and circumstances inform the leadership challenges we face. Having navigated through the leadership space at several distinctly different institutions, Kristine Barnett has encountered certain leadership lessons repeatedly. She has named these 'the universal laws of leadership.' Check out her latest blog and mini podcast (found here) where she delves into what these are and how embracing your own universal laws of leadership will empower you to do great work.

In his recent Ingenious Blog article, David Staley reviews Chris Gallagher's book "The Integrator", which calls for a new vision for higher education. Gallagher is critical of the current push towards 'unbundling' and suggests that colleges and universities will need to be neither unbundled nor rebundled, but rather integrated. Gallagher suggests that 'we need to shape the kind of integrative learning and learners that can confront the complex challenges of the twenty-first century.' He also introduces the idea of an 'Integrator', a mentor, a non-expert, and a generalist, who guides students through their integrative learning journeys.

Staley appreciates Gallagher's innovative outlook, emphasizing the importance of creating a learning environment where students enact both depth and breadth of learning. Staley's review highlights the potential of a new educational framework that promotes learning not just content but also how to think like an expert in a particular field, something that is needed now more than ever.  Read more or listen here.

In her latest IngenioUs blog post, Kristine Barnett asks us to think about how we can use our leadership roles and authority to help those around us navigate the change that is increasingly commonplace on nearly every college campus. A little support can go along way, suggests Barnett. Read more here.

When Bruce Springsteen took to the stage at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA last week, it wasn't just a concert; it was a masterclass in engagement. For over three hours, 'The Boss' had an entire stadium hanging on to every chord, every lyric, every story. As an educator watching this performance unfold, Melissa Morriss-Olson couldn’t help but wonder: What if teachers could replicate even a fraction of that engagement in the classroom? Read her latest IngenioUs blog to learn what lessons she took away from this incredible experience. While classrooms might not have guitar solos or roaring crowds, the principles of engagement remain strikingly similar. Whether you’re a rock legend or an educator, it's all about connection, passion, and authenticity. Listen now to learn more.

In her latest IngenioUs blog article, Kristine Barnett asks us to consider the value of stepping away from time to time. Even in the busiest of seasons, an occasional break may be essential for your professional well-being. And there are ways to do this that make your re-entry less stressful, counsels Barnett.

In our final Season 4 episode, we speak with Dr. Melik Khoury about the remarkable reengineering he has led at Unity Environmental University. Khoury is an education entrepreneur whose blend of industry-disrupting vision, strategic financial planning, and managerial expertise has fostered sustainable growth in higher education for over 16 years. Under his leadership, Unity is beating the odds, growing from a small residential college serving fewer than 500 students a decade ago to 7,500-plus students today. During our conversation, Khoury unpacks the most essential building blocks that comprise his strategy including rethinking governance and restructuring the organizational and financial model to introduce what Khoury calls Sustainable Education Business Units—“SEBU” for short.  Unity's enrollment boom and success at finding a niche in an increasingly competitive and crowded market are remarkable. Khoury's advice for leaders of other small private colleges? “Free your mind, and the rest will follow,” he says, quoting the lyric from the R&B group En Vogue, while adding a verse of his own: “Respect your history, but don’t get shackled by it.”