Higher ed is changing fast: AI, online learning, shifting demographics, and the enrollment cliff. Dr. Jesse Mason breaks down what system leadership looks like at scale and how leaders can stay mission-focused while adapting how they deliver education.

In the first episode of Everything Higher Ed, Kamar DeJarnette sits down with leaders from UMass Global, Rio Salado College, Linn-Benton Community College, and NYU to unpack what the enrollment cliff really means, and what institutions are changing right now. Everything from adult learners, stackable credentials, breaking credit/non-credit silos, and how higher ed can tell its value story more clearly, this is Everything Higher Ed!

Dr. John Porter shares how 33 years at IBM shaped his approach to leading Lindenwood, and why multi-institution systems may be the next big model in higher education. We unpack the enrollment cliff, vocational vs. traditional pathways, building an acquisition strategy, and what it takes to grow without losing mission. Plus: his take on AI in higher ed (and how he actually uses it day to day).

The old assumption, “college automatically equals success,” is gone. Dr. Tony Born explains the parent mindset shift, the ROI pressure, and how institutions can respond with clearer pathways, better advising, and real student-success infrastructure.

Dr. Jason Altmire, CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), breaks down why skilled trades and career programs are surging, how policy shapes higher education, and what “value” and ROI really mean for students and taxpayers. We also talk AI: how it’s changing campuses and why it may increase demand for electricians, HVAC, welding, and more.

AI is everywhere in higher ed, and it’s not going away. Dr. Andy Binanti explains why institutions shouldn’t fear AI, how to teach students to use it the right way, and what role it may play in supporting persistence and success in today’s learning environment.

Dr. Jennifer Teague (Dean, School of Business & Professional Studies at UMass Global) joins Kamar to talk about what leadership looks like when AI is moving fast. They unpack mission-first decision-making, digital literacy, bias awareness, and how universities can adapt without chasing every “new shiny thing.”

What does it really take for a community college to grow in the middle of an enrollment cliff, shrinking populations, and a post-pandemic student body that needs more support than ever?In this episode of the Higher Ed Podcast, host Kamar DeJarnett sits down with Dr. Roger Davis, President of the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), to talk about:How a “triple HBCU” journey and a single Toni Morrison novel lit his passion for higher educationWhy he believes higher ed is still structurally static—and what must changeHow CCBC went from one of its lowest enrollments to one of the fastest-growing community colleges in PennsylvaniaThe bold strategies they used to “jump and fly” off the enrollment cliffDigital textbooks, culture change, unions, and getting faculty to moveCCBC’s aviation and air traffic control programs that place grads into high-demand, high-income careersGuided Pathways and the campus mantra: “Start strong, stay strong, finish stronger.”What the next 2–3 years of higher ed could look like with AI, just-in-time learning, and mobile-first design

Higher Ed might be heading toward fewer institutions—but stronger ones. Kamar DeJarnette and Dr. Emmanuel Lalonde break down why. From the enrollment cliff and demographic shifts to AI adoption, new revenue strategies, and serving a mix of traditional, transfer, dual-enrollment, and adult learners, Dr. Lalonde lays out what it will take to thrive in the next 2–3 years. If you’re thinking about the future of your institution—or your own educational path—this episode offers a candid look at where higher ed is going and what has to change to meet students where they are.

Founding Dean Dr. Bonny Kehm of Columbia Southern University’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences joins The Higher Ed Podcast to unpack how online, post-licensure nursing programs, AI-driven virtual patients, and transparent pricing can expand opportunity without compromising quality. The future of higher ed boils down to the 3 A’s: Affordability, Applicability, Accessibility.