IngenioUs

What does it take to lead through waves of challenge, transformation, and deep institutional change—without losing your sense of purpose?

In this week’s IngenioUs episode, I sit down with Dr. Sandra Harper, a seasoned and celebrated higher ed leader whose story is both refreshingly candid and deeply inspiring. Dr. Harper is a two-time university president, the first woman and first Catholic to lead McMurry University, and a lifelongadvocate for servant leadership and women's advancement in higher education.

From her unexpected start in academia—sparkedby the symbolism of academic regalia at her own college graduation—to her return to McMurry during a time of financial crisis, Sandra’s journey is one of resilience, readiness, and remarkable wisdom.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• How symbolic leadership shaped her approach—andwhy it still matters today
• The surprising storybehind McMurry’s transition from college to university
• What it means to “lean in” to difference as a first woman or first anything
• Her advice foraspiring women leaders—including how to prepare inwardly and outwardly
• The metaphor that sustained her across decades of leadership: jumping over the waves

Dr. Harper reminds us that titles don’t make leaders—impact does. And her legacy is one of deep, lasting impact.🎧 Tune in now to this rich, wide-ranging conversation:

What does it take to build a new kind of university from the ground up—and lead it with both strategy and soul?

In this powerful episode of IngenioUs, we sit down with Dr.Lori Carrell, Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), whose leadership journey is as courageous as it is unconventional. From her early days teaching in a remote Alaskan village to co-leading a national initiative to redesign the college experience, Dr. Carrell shares how listening, learning, and living into one's purpose can shape transformational leadership.

With her background in human communication, Carrell brings a unique lens to institutional change—one that values deep listening, co-creation, and compassion as strategic tools for impact. Under her leadership, UMR has become a national model for student-centered design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and equity in outcomes.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Lori Carol's leadership has been shaped by adventure, curiosity, and a commitment to listening first
• Why UMR's "students-at-the-center" model yields high retention and graduation rates-especially among first- generation and underrepresented students
• What it means to "lead by design" and embed evidence- based practices into the institutional DNA
• How UMR's unique structure, including success,coaching, flipped instruction, and capstone year customization, fuel student flourishing
• The origin story of the College in Three initiative – and how it's reimagining the bachelor's degree
• Practical wisdom for navigating resistance to change with empathy and clarity

• Encouragement and advice for aspiring women leaders in higher education

Whether you're a president, Provost, faculty member, or future leader, this episode will renew your faith in what higher education can become when innovation is led by human values.

👉 Listen now for a story of courage, creativity, and commitment to purpose.

In this powerful episode of IngenioUs, we sit down with Dr. Kate Smith, President of Rio Salado College—widely recognized as America’s OnlineCommunity College—for a deep and inspiring conversation about what it truly means to lead with both heart and fire.

A lifelong educator who began her career in the classroom, Kate neverintended to become a college president. But as you'll hear, her journey to the presidency was fueled by a passion for removing barriers, championing equity,and creating educational opportunities for all learners—including incarcerated students, working adults, and those historically left behind by traditional higher education systems.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Kate shares:

• The guiding principles that drive decision-making and culture-building at Rio Salado
• What it means to stand alone—and stand tall—in moments of difficult leadership
• Her perspective on the challenges women leaders face in higher ed today
• The power of emotional intelligence, mentorship, and owning your mistakes
• How Rio Salado is reimagining access through innovative workforce and reentry programs

Kate’s energy is contagious, her insights are groundedin lived experience, and her commitment to making higher education more inclusive and impactful is nothing short of inspiring.Whether you're a seasoned leader, an emerging changemaker, or simply someone who believes in the power of education to transform lives, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Listen now and discover what it looks like to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion—every single day.

Perpendicular Futures: A Footlights College

In this imaginative and thought-provoking episode, futurist and historian Dr. David Staley reads his latest blog article, “Perpendicular Futures: A Footlights College.” Known for his boundary-pushing scenarios for the future of higher education, Staley offers a bold and unexpected vision: What if colleges used performance arts—like theater and show choir—as a strategic enrollment tool, much like intercollegiate athletics?

Drawing inspiration from high school show choir fervor and the storied Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe, Staley explores the idea of colleges investing heavily in performance opportunities not as academic programs, but as extracurricular recruitment strategies. This “perpendicular future” veers sharply from the typical trend lines of higher education planning and invites us to rethink what attracts students to campus in the first place.

Whether you’re a campus leader, a strategist, or simply someone intrigued by the unconventional, this episode will stretch your imagination about what’s possible—and perhaps even probable—for the future of enrollment management.

• Perpendicular Change: What it means and why it matters for institutional planning.

• Theater and Show Choir as Enrollment Strategy: A new role for extracurriculars.

• The Passion Economy in Education: Students paying to perform—not for professional outcomes but for personal fulfillment.

• Footlights Reimagined: A nod to Cambridge's legendary troupe and a blueprint for creative placemaking.

• NIL Deals for Performers?: Imagining a future where artists, like athletes, earn incentives for their involvement.

• Disruption vs. Continuity: Why the future of college enrollment may not follow the path we expect.

• How embracing passion-driven participation could unlock new enrollment pathways.

Dr. David Staley is a historian, futurist, and professor at The Ohio State University. He is widely known for his visionary writings and talks that challenge higher education to think differently about its future. In addition to his university teaching and consulting work, Dr. Staley regularly publishes articles on university design and innovation.

In this special mini-episode, Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson takes listeners inside Chapter 6 of her book, IngenioUs Leadership: Creating Solutions to Wicked Problems in Higher Education.
Through short, powerful audio clips from interviews with some of higher education’s most visionary leaders, Melissa illustrates seven leadership practices that unleash true innovation in today's dynamic and demanding environment.

These leaders are not only creative—they are disciplined, strategic, and deeply values-driven in how they innovate. Tune in for inspiring stories, practical insights, and bold reminders that innovation is a practice, a mindset, and a way of leading with purpose.

🛠️ Featured Themes & Voices:💬

🔹 Rethinking the Rules: Innovation as Reinvention
Richard Miller, Founding President, Olin College of Engineering

How radically reimagining assumptions can lead to transformational change.

🔹 Leveraging Assets: Turning What You Have into What You Need
Michael Sorrell, President, Paul Quinn College

Seeing overlooked resources as springboards for innovation.

🔹 Relentlessly Futuristic: Seeing Around Corners
Elizabeth Meade, President Emerita, Cedar Crest College

Designing strategic plans that anticipate the future rather than react to it.

🔹 Cutting Through Clutter to Find Your Focus
Annette Parker, President, South Central College

Leading with clarity and aligning decisions with mission and impact.

🔹 Being Inspiration-Ready: Staying Open to Spark
Nicholas Covino, President, William James College

Listening for opportunities and taking courageous action when inspiration strikes.

🔹 Reinvention as a Steady State
Barbara Mistick, President, NAICU

Building a culture where change is not episodic but continuous and proactive.

🔹 Innovation Rooted in Values
Tracy Hartzler, President, Central New Mexico Community College

Leading with ethics, connection, and care—and why mission-centered innovation endures.

Reflection Questions:📚

• Where might you be clinging to outdated rules?

• What hidden assets could you leverage for innovation?

• How can you lead more intentionally with vision and values today?

  Learn More:🎧 Listen, Reflect, and Lead Boldly.

• Dive deeper by reading the latest IngenioUs Leadership blog post

• Get your copy of IngenioUs Leadership: Creating Solutions to Wicked Problems in Higher Education

Stay bold. Stay curious. Stay IngenioUs.

In this inspiring episode of IngenioUs, host Melissa Morriss-Olson sits down with Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls, the 14th—and only the second woman—president of Washington & Jefferson College. With over twodecades of leadership experience and a powerful personal story shaped by trailblazing women mentors, Dr. MacLeod Walls offers a compelling vision for the future of liberal arts education.

 From her early aspirations as a faculty member to her discovery of a natural strength for administration, Elizabeth shares how resilience, optimism, and a sense of urgency have shaped her leadership. She opens up about navigating gendered expectations, making the case for liberalarts in a skeptical world, and cultivating adaptability as both an institutional ethos and a graduate superpower.

 We also get a glimpse of the personal side of herpresidency—including how her beloved dog, Buckeye, helps humanize her role and deepen connections with students on campus.

Whether you’re a current or aspiring leader, an educator, orsomeone who cares about the future of higher education, this conversation willleave you with both inspiration and actionable insights.

🎙️ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Dr. MacLeod Walls defines and leads with adaptability

Why innovation must be central to the liberal arts

The leadership lessons she’s drawn from mentors—and from mistakes

How gender dynamics shape presidential leadership in higher ed

The critical skills every future leader should develop

Why partnerships, community engagement, and nimbleness matter more than ever

And yes… how a dog named Buckeye is helping build stronger campus relationships

💬 Quotable Moment:“When what you’re doing matters, nothing should scare you. Nothing should bean impediment.” – Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls

🎧 Listen Now and discover how boldleadership, a clear sense of mission, and a joyful spirit are helping shape the future of Washington & Jefferson College—and the liberal arts more broadly.

What does it take to lead across sectors, clear hurdles, andcultivate possibility — not just for yourself, but for others? In this episode of IngenioUs, we sit down with Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, the first woman to serve as president of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, andthe first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from her state.

President Herseth Sandlin shares her remarkable leadershipjourney, from growing up on a family farm in the Great Plains, to representing South Dakota on Capitol Hill, to now shaping the future of a thriving university. With honesty and wisdom, she reflects on the challenges and opportunities of being a trailblazer — and what it means to turn personalsuccess into collective empowerment.

Through stories of transformative change at Augustana,including bold moves like academic restructuring and launching Division I hockey, President Herseth Sandlin reveals the power of leading with courage, compassion, and curiosity. She also offers candid insights on navigating gender dynamics, generational differences, and the evolving landscape of higher education.

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to lead withauthenticity, build momentum from setbacks, and create lasting impact, this conversation is not to be missed.

🎧 Listen in to discover how StephanieHerseth Sandlin is helping others see and cultivate their own potential — and how you can too.

Takeaways

Augustana University integrates faith with learning.

Leadership is influenced by personal experiences and family.

Women leaders must navigate unique challenges in their careers.

Building relationships is crucial for effective leadership.

Good processes lead to successful outcomes in organizations.

Diversity and inclusion are essential for student success.

Vulnerability in leadership fosters connection and trust.

Emerging leaders should focus on understanding their context.

Innovative programs can address community needs and gaps.

Future growth at Augustana will focus on serving more students.

Sound Bites

"We provide an education of enduring worth."

"Good process leads to good plans."

"I lean into courage, creativity, and humility."

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Augustana University

02:12Leadership Journey and Influences

04:09Trailblazing in Leadership

06:43Navigating Gender Dynamics in Leadership

07:11New Chapter

09:08Advice for Emerging Leaders

11:15Achievements and Strategic Initiatives at AugustanaUniversity

26:34Maturing the Division I Hockey Program

27:27Vision for Augustana by 2030

27:59Growth and Campus Development

29:47Innovative Programs and Opportunities

30:35Identifying Growth Opportunities

32:52Navigating Innovation in Education

35:35Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

39:31Leadership Challenges and Lessons Learned

43:35Core Values in Leadership

45:42Inspiring Future Women Leaders

48:27gaming-transition-high.wav

48:34IngenioUs Outro.mp4

In his newest University Design blog post, futurist and higher education thought leader David J. Staley invites us to rethink the very foundation of undergraduate education: the major.

Staley challenges the brittle, hyperspecialized approach that dominates college pathways today. Drawing from new research and emerging models like the Field of Study approach, he makes a compelling case for a more resilient and antifragile education—one rooted in cognitive diversification and purpose-driven learning.

🔍 Are we preparing students for the dynamic, uncertain world they’re entering—or for a version of the economy that no longer exists?

💡 Read the full article to explore:

• Why traditional majors may be failing today’s students

• The concept of “epistemological monoculture” and its risks

• How double majors and personalized Fields of Study can build career agility

• What it means to uncover students’ hidden intellectualism

👉 Read the full blog post here:https://ingeniousu.org/blog/

In this week’s IngenioUs U episode, we sit down with Tracy Hartzler, President of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), to explore how values-based leadership, strategic foresight, and collaborative innovation are transforming the community college landscape.

With a rich background in law, public policy, and finance,Tracy brings a distinctive lens to her role—one that is both deeply pragmatic and profoundly human. From launching bold multi-college collaborations and workforce initiatives like CHESS and UnMuddle to championing entrepreneurialapproaches to economic development through CNM Ingenuity, Tracy’s leadership is rooted in community, responsiveness, and relationships.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Tracy reflects on lessonslearned through the pandemic, the power of servant leadership, and why community colleges are poised to play a central role in addressing our nation’s most urgent challenges.

Whether you're curious about what’s next for higher ed orsimply looking for a refreshing example of grounded, visionary leadership—you’ll find it here.

🎧 Listen now to discover a community college president’s blueprint for leading with purpose, courage, and care.

Takeaways

Leadership is influenced by personal values and experiences.

Central New Mexico Community College serves a diverse student population.

The importance of ethical decision-making in leadership roles.

Collaboration among institutions can lead to improved processes.

UnMuddle Marketplace connects learners with workforce training opportunities.

Ingenuity focuses on entrepreneurship and economic development.

Women leaders face unique challenges but can thrive in supportive environments.

Resilience is key to navigating leadership challenges.

Community colleges play a vital role in workforce training and education.

Personalized education is essential for meeting individual learner needs.

Sound Bites

"I believe in ethical decision-making."

"I’m comfortable in the gray area."

"I’m proud to be a transitory leader."

We are excited to share with you our latest episode—a powerful conversation with Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President of San José State University. In this episode, we explore President Matson's journeyfrom being a first-generation college student to becoming a transformational university president. Along the way, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, the role of mentors and sponsors in her rise, and herunwavering commitment to equity, community, and purposeful change.

What makes her story so compelling is how deeply personaland authentic her leadership is. President Matson returned to lead in the very community her parents once left in search of opportunity—bringing everything full circle with a vision rooted in place, purpose, and what she so beautifully calls “the inheritance of courageous curiosity.”

We talk about:✅ Building a new public university from the ground up✅ Creating systems of support for first-generation and underserved students✅ Knowing when—and how—to say “yes” to the next leadership chapter✅ Staying resilient, grounded, and open in the face of change

This episode is for anyone seeking inspiration, clarity, or that gentle push to keep leading boldly—even when the path isn’t fully clear.

Sound Bites

"Honesty is always the best policy"

"Hope is not a strategy"

"Happiness is an inside job"