Drs. Jorge Burmicky and Kevin McClure discuss their research on effective leadership in higher education. They bring quantitative and qualitative data to help us understand the challenges and competencies of successful college presidents. They discuss the seven interconnected competencies and ways to develop them for more effective executive leadership in higher education and beyond.

Authors of the new book Activism, Burnout, and Community in Higher Education: Narratives of College Student Activists, connect with Heather Shea to discuss the emotional and systemic challenges student activists face, the crucial role of collective care, and strategies for fostering environments that balance activism with well-being.This groundbreaking new book weaves together personal stories, research insights, and practical recommendations to offer timely insights into navigating the complexities of activism in higher education.

The skills to engage and bridge differences are needed in higher education and our world today. Kristi Clemens and Dr. Elizabeth Smith share about how the Dartmouth Dialogue Project emerged, how it is structured, and what they have learned through the process thus far. They discuss the key elements of relationship building and empathy, viewing dialogue as a practice, and yearning for and obstacles to dialogue.

Join Adam Jussel, Dimitri Topitzes, and Alberto Jose Maldonado from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee as they share about their trauma-informed practices and frameworks - how they came to be, how they have embraced them broadly, and the results. They share how an inclusive process surfaced the need for a trauma-informed approach and how centering relationships and connection has deepened understanding, empowered folks, and fostered engagement.

In part 2 of the "Tipped and Tested" series, Dr. Anne Hornak, talks further about her unique sabbatical experience, where she worked as a server at a restaurant while taking nine credit hours at a community college. As Anne shares her experiences in the service industry, she and host Heather Shea discuss privilege, empathy, and the importance of wraparound support for financially strained students. The conversation also explores the personal and family impacts of these experiences and the broader lessons they offer for understanding and addressing student needs.

Dr. Anne Hornak, professor at Central Michigan University, shares insights from her unique sabbatical experience, where she worked as a server at a restaurant while taking nine credit hours at a community college to better understand the experiences of financially strapped students. She highlights several challenges such as unexpected online textbook costs, lack of community, and the stress of balancing work and school. The conversation also explores the lessons for higher education institutions to provide more transparent and accessible support systems and the importance administrative empathy.

Drs. Colin Stewart and President Rob Kelly discuss their book, Disruptive Transformation: Leading Creative and Innovative Teams in Higher Education. They focus on challenging norms and perfectionism and valuing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. They discuss how leaders can look inward to foster creativity and create organizational cultures that support innovation.

Drs. Jason Pina and Amy Hecht discuss their edited book, The Next Act: Realigning Your Mindset, Purpose, and Career. They share various paths within, beyond, and back to higher education for senior leaders. They discuss change, agency, possibilities, transition, privilege, and capacity.

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Reyes talks about his book, Lenses of Humanity, in which he explores how shifting our lens can reveal the deep humanity that reminds us of the shared connections that unite us all. He describes this book as part memoir, part academic investigation, and part public discourse- and as a gift and love letter to his children. Anchored in hope and possibility, this episode is the restorative moment you may not have known you needed.

Drs. Chris Linder, Niah Grimes, & Nadeeka Karunaratne join to discuss their new book, Thinking Like an Abolitionist to End Sexual Violence in Higher Education. They discuss abolitionist thinking, oppressive systems, liberation approaches, abundance, social change as inner work, and transformation around community, hope, and love.