Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds.

Kent Barnds: Joining us today is Jeff Selingo who has written about colleges and universities for more than 25 years and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books. His latest, New York Tines Best Seller Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, draws on more than two years of research and a survey of some 3,000 parents to give families permission to think more broadly about what signals a “good” college and then the tools to discover their dream school. 

I’ll just note that my alma mater, Gettysburg College, my employer, Augustana College, and, my daughter’s college, Butler University are among those the 75 New Dream Schools, each identified as “hidden values.” 

He is also the author of Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, named one of the New York Times’s 100 Notable Books of the Year in 2020.

A regular contributor to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, Jeff is a special advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He writes the biweekly newsletter Next and co-hosts the podcast Future U. He lives near Washington, D.C., with his family.

Jeff, as a father of two teenage daughters who will soon be navigating their own college search, you’re about to experience firsthand the very system you’ve spent decades analyzing! 

Q1: Jeff, you’ve spent more than 25 years examining how higher education, the workforce, and student expectations are evolving. What trends have surprised you most recently, and how have they shaped your thinking in Dream School and your other current work?

Q2: Your new book draws on a survey of 3,000 parents about what signals a ‘good’ college. How do parents today perceive small colleges differently from large publics or well-known brands, and what misperceptions should presidents address head-on? 

Q3: You’ve written extensively about admissions in Who Gets In & Why. Since that book came out in 2020, what changes have you seen, particularly in how small colleges can position themselves?

Q4: Jeff, Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and their parents seem to be very focused on ROI. How can small colleges demonstrate lifetime value without over-promising?

Q5: You’ve advised boards and presidents across the country. What blind spots do you see repeated most often at colleges, large or small? And what innovation patterns differentiate financially healthy institutions from those that are struggling? 

Q6:  If you were advising a board tomorrow, what’s the first move you’d tell them to make? And looking ahead, is there one innovation or shift that could dramatically improve the prospects of small colleges if widely adopted?

Closing Jeff, thank you for being with us today and for offering such thoughtful perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing small colleges at this pivotal moment in higher education

For those listening or viewing, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Edu Alliance Group — a higher education consulting firm that champions small colleges and the communities they serve.

On behalf of our guest, Jeff Selingo, my co-host Kent Barnds, and myself, thank you for joining us.

Welcome everyone to this special edition of Small College America. On December 3rd we held a live webinar titled “Navigating Higher Education’s Existential Challenges: From Partnerships and Mergers to Reinvention,” brings together four seasoned leaders deeply involved in higher education strategy, governance, law, and finance. The issues of partnerships, mergers, closures and institutional reinvention are no longer abstract concepts, they’re real challenges shaping daily decision-making. To help us explore these topics we have four distinguished panelists with extensive experience across higher-education, strategy, finance, law, and governance. 

• Dr. Chet Haskell is an experienced higher education consultant focusing on existential challenges to smaller non-profit institutions and opportunities for collaboration. He is a former 2-time president and most recently a provost directly involved in three significant merger/acquisition or partnership agreements, including the Coalition for the Common Good partnership of Antioch and Otterbein Universities.

• Dr. Barry Ryan is an experienced leader, and attorney who has served as president, and provost, for multiple universities. He helped guide several institutions through merger/acquisition, and accreditation. Most recently he led Woodbury University through its merger with the University of Redlands. He has served on university boards and as a Commissioner for WSCUC

• A.J. Prager, Managing Director at Hilltop Securities Inc., investment banker focusing on higher education M&A, helping institutions manage the partnership process, such as finding a partner, financial analysis, due diligence and board management. Most recently, AJ served as engagement lead to Seattle University on its partnership with Cornish College of the Arts.

• Stephanie Gold, is a Partner and Head of the Higher Education Practice at Hogan Lovells LLP, who has spent nearly three decades guiding colleges and universities through transformative transactions.  She helps institutions to navigate the regulatory requirements and procedures related to such transactions, including accreditation approvals, state agency review, and the U.S. Department of Education process.

Joining us today Dr. Karen Petersen is the 13th President of Hendrix College, taking office on June 1, 2023. A native of northwest Arkansas, she joined the Hendrix community from the University of Tulsa, where she served as Dean of the Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences and was a professor of political science.

Before her time in Tulsa, Karen spent 16 years at her undergraduate alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, rising through progressively senior leadership roles and ultimately serving as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the university’s largest academic unit. She earned both her master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from Vanderbilt University.

She and her husband, Joey Keasler, a northeast Arkansas native, are the parents of two children.

Today's guest is Dr. Raj Bellani, Vice President of External Affairs, Career Outcomes, and Chief of Staff at Denison University in Ohio.
At Denison, Raj plays a key role in advancing the university’s strategic plan—strengthening its global engagement, enhancing faculty and staff mentoring, and promoting innovation and wellness across campus.

Before arriving in Granville, Raj served as Dean of Experiential Learning and Career Planning at DePauw University’s Hubbard Center for Student Engagement, overseeing career services, service-learning programs, national fellowships, and alumni initiatives.

Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions at the Rhode Island School of Design—including International Recruitment Director, Associate Provost, and Dean of Students—and served in a variety of administrative roles at Colgate University.

Beyond campus, Raj contributes his expertise to several boards in the Columbus area, including the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
He earned degrees from SUNY Geneseo, Western Illinois University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Kent Barnds: Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Kent Barnds, and I’m joined by my co-host, Dean Hoke.

Dean Hoke: Kristen Soares is the fourth president of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), representing more than 85 nonprofit institutions dedicated to the public good. As president, she works with leaders across the state to shape higher education policy and serves as the sector’s chief spokesperson. Under her leadership, AICCU partnered with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to implement the Associate Degree for Transfer pathway, expanding opportunities and improving access for transfer students.

Soares plays a prominent role in statewide and national higher education leadership, serving as a member of the California Education Round Table, the Governor’s Council for Career Education, and the NAICU State Executives Council. She previously spent nearly 25 years at the University of Southern California (USC), where her career in higher education began with a federal Work-Study job, one she credits with landing her in the university’s senior administration and setting her on a lifelong path in higher-ed leadership. During her tenure, she led government and civic engagement efforts across California and Washington, D.C. 

Kristen earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from USC. Kristen, we’re delighted to have you with us on Small College America.

Kent - Q1:  Kristen, for those who may not be familiar, could you start by telling us about the role of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) and how it supports its member institutions? What is AICCU’s top legislative priority this session?

Dean – Q2: California has one of the most complex and influential higher education ecosystems in the country, with the University of California (UC) system, the California State University (CSU) system, and the independent sector each serving distinct missions. How does AICCU advocate for independent colleges within this landscape, and what opportunities or challenges arise in coordinating with state agencies and legislators?

Kent – Q3: Many small colleges are rethinking their academic portfolios to meet changing student and workforce demands. What innovations or program models are you seeing that balance tradition with transformation—without losing institutional identity?

Dean – Q4:  With rising concerns about college affordability and ROI, how should small private colleges articulate their value proposition to skeptical families? What alternative business models or revenue streams show the most promise for achieving long-term financial sustainability?

Kent – Q5: Higher education has faced increased political scrutiny nationwide. How do you advise independent college leaders to communicate their value and relevance to the public and policymakers in today’s polarized climate?

Dean – Q6: Kristen, after you looked into your crystal ball, before meeting with the leaders of over 85 nonprofit institutions from AICCU, what's the most important piece or pieces of advice you'd offer them about the future?

Closing

Kent: Kristen, thank you for joining us and for sharing your insight into California’s independent higher education community and the issues shaping small colleges nationwide.

For those listening or viewing, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Edu Alliance Group — a higher education consulting firm that champions small colleges and the communities they serve.

On behalf of our guest, Kristen Soares, my co-host Dean Hoke, and myself, thank you for joining us.

Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds.  

Today, we’re joined by Michael H. Scarlett, Professor of Education at Augustana College. Michael supervises student teachers and teaches educational psychology and assessment, social studies methods, and educational technology. Before coming to Augustana, he spent four years on the faculty at Montana State University, Billings. He began his career teaching middle-school social studies—American history, world geography, humanities, and state history—and later taught secondary social studies in St. Paul Public Schools.

Michael earned his B.A. from Macalester College in St. Paul and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (Social Studies Education) from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.

Off campus, he’s a proud husband, dad of two, beagle wrangler, avid runner and kayaker, and former soccer player and youth coach with 15+ years on the pitch. I understand you have served as a history judge many times over the years, including as a National History Day judge at Bettendorf Middle School in Bettendorf, Iowa. :)

Q1: Michael, tell us about the Augustana Education program. What does it offer, how many students are in the program, and what makes it distinct  

Q 2: What drew you into education—and how has your role at Augustana evolved?
Follow-up: As a teacher, was there a moment that confirmed you’d chosen the right path?

Q3: How would you describe today’s job market for new teachers, and where is the greatest teacher shortage?  

Quick follow-up, is there something school districts or private and charter schools can do to address these shortage?  

Q4: What are the biggest challenges education majors face as they prepare for the classroom, and what strategies or supports do you emphasize to help them thrive?

Q5: A recent student wrote in a review that you made them feel they belonged in the program—especially after a rough start—and praised your respectful, nonjudgmental style. What practices do you recommend to support struggling students, whether a college professor or a middle school teacher?

Q6: We like to end with the future. Looking 5–10 years ahead, what gives you the most hope that more high school students will choose teaching, especially through pathways at small colleges like Augustana?

Michael, thank you for sharing your journey and your vision for teacher education at Augustana. Your commitment to making every student feel they belong in the classroom is exactly what education needs right now."

For those listening or viewing, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

“This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Edu Alliance Group — A higher education consulting firm that champions small colleges and the communities they serve.” 

On behalf of our guest, Michael Scarlett, my co-host Kent Barnds, and Dean Hoke, thank you for joining us.”

Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Kent Barnds, and I’m joined by my co-host, Dean Hoke.  

 
Dean: Our guest today is Dr. Teresa Valerio Parrot, APR, the Principal of TVP Communications. She is co-host of the Trusted Voices Podcast and co-editor of Call to Action for Inside Higher Ed, has numerous media bylines, and is a frequent keynote speaker.

She is writing a book on higher-education governance for the Harvard Academic Press and co-editing a book on public scholarship for the Cambridge Press. CASE awarded her the Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence, and she serves as a CASE Laureate. In 2024, PR News honored her as an industry leader and for her strategy work, and in 2025, Diverse listed her among women making a difference in academe.

She is secretary of the board for the Public Relations Society of America, co-chairs the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Symposium, and also serves on the board of the PRSA Foundation. Teresa enjoys spending time outdoors in Colorado with her husband and dogs and volunteering with arts and community organizations in the Denver, Colorado area. 

Question 1: Tell me about your journey into higher-education communications, what led you into this field, and what experiences have most shaped your perspective on how colleges tell their stories? And then, tell us about your firm, TVP Communications, and the work you and your team do with colleges and universities. 

Question 2: Many small private colleges are mission-driven but resource-limited. What are the most common messaging or positioning missteps you see when they try to stand out? Is there a recent example where a smaller institution got its narrative right?

Question 3: You’ve said higher education doesn’t have a storytelling problem — it has a truth-telling problem. For small colleges that struggle to articulate their value in a crowded marketplace, how does that idea translate into practical communications or marketing strategy? 

Follow-up: For small colleges that struggle to articulate their value in a crowded marketplace, how does ‘truth-telling’ translate into practical communications or marketing strategy?

Question 4: You and Erin Hennessy launched the Trusted Voices podcast, which has become one of the most insightful conversations about leadership and communication in higher education. How has podcasting shaped your own view of authentic communication — and do you see opportunities for smaller colleges to use podcasting as a platform for storytelling or leadership visibility?

Question 5: Your upcoming book with Harvard Academic Press focuses on governance. What governance or communication patterns do you see break down most often at smaller, tuition-dependent institutions?

Question 6: Looking to the future of higher education — and especially the smaller private colleges that form its backbone — what gives you optimism, and what keeps you up at night?

Kent: Teresa, thank you for joining us today. It’s been a pleasure hearing your insights on communication, leadership, and the future of higher education. We’ll be watching for your forthcoming book on higher-education governance and look forward to continuing the conversation when it’s released.

For those listening or viewing, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Perspective Data Science, a firm specializing in AI-powered tools and data solutions, including the Financial Compass platform.

On behalf of our guest, Teresa Valerio Parrott, my co-host Dean Hoke, and I, thank you for listening.”

Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds.  

Today, we are speaking with Dr. Josh Hibbard, a higher education leader, strategist, and storyteller passionate about helping students and families navigate one of life’s biggest decisions: choosing a college. As Vice President for Enrollment Management at Whitworth University, located in Spokane, Washington, Josh oversees admissions, financial aid, and military and veterans outreach, helping students chart a path toward both education and purpose. 

With more than two decades of experience in enrollment strategy, leadership development, and brand building, Josh brings practical insight and a deep sense of mission to his work. He is a frequent speaker at national conferences, where he shares lessons on leadership, innovation, and student success. Beyond titles and roles, Josh sees himself as a guide—someone who believes curiosity, community, and faith have the power to transform lives. Josh was born and raised in Haines, Alaska. Population 1,700, and when he’s not working with students or cheering on his team at Whitworth, you’ll likely find him outdoors with his family.

Question 1: Josh, what led you to Whitworth University, and what stood out to you?  What do you think makes Whitworth distinctive among small, private liberal arts universities today? 

Question 2: Whitworth made national news with its decision to cut tuition nearly in half to make pricing more transparent. What drove that decision, and what has the impact been so far? How did you build consensus across campus for such a bold change? Have you seen measurable changes in applications or student perceptions of value?

Question 3: You’ve called the traditional high-price, high-discount model “a silly game.” Why do you think this pricing system persisted so long in higher ed, and what will it take for more colleges to follow Whitworth’s lead?
 

Question 4: Whitworth blends a strong Christian ethos with a liberal arts tradition. How do you stay true to that mission while navigating the competitive realities of enrollment and finance?
 

Question 5: You often speak about curiosity, community, and faith as transformative forces. How do those values shape your leadership style and Whitworth’s campus culture? What lessons about leadership have you learned from your own mentors?

Question 6: As you look to the next five years, what do you see as the biggest opportunities or challenges facing small and mid-sized private universities—and how is Whitworth preparing for them?
 
 Close: Josh, thank you for joining us today and getting the opportunity to learn more about you and Whitworth. For those listening, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Perspective Data Science, a firm specializing in AI-powered tools and data solutions, including the Financial Compass platform.

On behalf of our guest, Josh Hibbard, my co-host Kent Barnds, and myself, thank you for listening.”

Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds.  

Today, we are speaking with Jon Nichols, an author and educator whose work explores the intersection of personal narrative and institutional collapse in American higher education. He is the author of Requiem for a College: The Troubling Trend of College Closures in the United States, a deeply reflective and investigative account of the 2017 closure of Saint Joseph’s College in Indiana, where three generations of his family served as faculty and administrators. Drawing on his background as both an insider and journalist, Nichols illuminates the human cost behind financial and governance failures. He currently teaches English at Waubonsee Community College in Illinois, and his work has made him a frequent commentator on America's college closure crisis. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Debbie, and his dog, Tony.

• Welcome Jon. Your book, Requiem for a College, is described as part memoir, part institutional autopsy, and compelling reading. What drew you to blend personal narrative with investigative reporting, rather than writing a purely objective analysis of Saint Joseph's closure?
• Three generations of your family were connected to Saint Joseph’s College—your father, Dr. John Nichols, who taught and served there for five decades, and your brother Michael, who also taught there and now teaches at Purdue. How did you balance the emotional weight of losing a family institution with the analytical distance needed to understand what happened?
• Saint Joseph’s closed in 2017, relatively early in what’s become an accelerating wave of small-college closures. Looking back, what warning signs should have been taken more seriously—at your institution or across higher education in general?
• Jon, your book captures not just institutional failure but also human loss—the erasure of identity, community, and legacy. What has been the long-term impact on former students, faculty, and the Rensselaer community?
• As someone now teaching at a community college, how has your experience with Saint Joseph’s closure shaped your view of what sustainable higher education looks like in America?
• Looking into the future, what policies or systemic reforms do you believe could reduce the frequency of college closures—and who should take the lead in driving those reforms: federal or state agencies, accreditors, or institutional boards?

Jon, thank you for joining us today and discussing your new book, Requiem for a College: The Troubling Trend of College Closures in the United States. For those listening, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Perspective Data Science, a firm specializing in AI-powered tools and data solutions, including the Financial Compass platform.

On behalf of our guest, Jon Nichols, my co-host Kent Barnds, and Dean Hoke, thank you for listening.”

Today, we are speaking with  Dr. Frank Shushok Jr., the 12th president of Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, since 2022. He collaborates with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and regional partners to position the College as an agile, innovative, and learner-centered institution. 

Under his leadership, the College launched Imagine Roanoke, a strategic plan that includes creating four transdisciplinary schools and transforming the residential campus into a 21st-century learning laboratory. The plan's signature initiative, Roanoke College–Roanoke Valley (RC-RV), expands access to continuing education and workforce development. The College has launched new programs, begun construction on the McConnon Discovery Center, and revitalized student life. Shushok has over 30 years of experience in higher education, including roles at Virginia Tech and Baylor University. 

He holds degrees from Baylor University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his spouse, Kelly, have three adult children and two dogs. 

Q1: To begin, tell our audience about Roanoke College and what makes it different from other colleges?

Q2: While there are no “non-traditional pathways” to the presidency anymore, your pathway is distinct. You’ve spent much of your career in student life and student success, when did you know you wanted to be a college president?

 Q3: Most of your career has been at large institutions. What are three or four big adjustments you had to make as you moved to work at a small college?

Q4: You’ve made some big bets at Roanoke. You’ve worked with the community to add football and marching band. You’ve also been on what seems like a partnership tour as you’ve signed new agreements with all kinds of partners. What have you been so focused on, new programs??

 Q5: At a small college, a president is usually expected to be everywhere twice. How do you handle the expectations to attend every event with the pressure to find and friend-raise? And what do you do to prevent burnout?

 Q6: Like many private institutions, Roanoke has experienced significant changes and survived and thrived in its 180-year history. If we were to look five years into the future, what gives you the most hope for Roanoke College and, more broadly, for the role of small colleges in American higher education?

Closing: Frank, thank you for joining us today and getting the opportunity to learn more about you and Roanoke. For those listening, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Perspective Data Science, a firm specializing in AI-powered tools and data solutions, including the Financial Compass platform.

On behalf of our guest, Frank Shushok, my co-host Kent Barnds, and Dean Hoke, thank you for listening.