The HigherEd Podcast

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.

How do we help students right now academically, professionally, and personally? Dr. Charlene Glenn shares a practical mindset series she built for adult learners, why soft skills still drive outcomes, and what the next era of higher ed should look like: shorter, job-tied, and more agile.

Degrees aren’t disappearing but how students earn value is changing. Jeremy Bean from Penn State explains why experience-rich pathways, certificates, and tighter workforce alignment are rising, how AI is accelerating the shift, and what leaders should stop funding to make room for what’s next.

Crisis-tested lessons from Hurricane Andrew and the ValuJet crash to the social media era. Dr. Whiteley explains how leadership, communication, and student engagement evolved across decades.

In this episode of The Higher Ed Podcast, Kamaar DeJarnette sits down with Dr. K. L. Allen of WGU to talk ROI that actually matters, and how tighter employer–university partnerships can shape the next 2–3 years of higher education. From a rural North Carolina origin story to leading WGU across the Northeast, Dr. Allen shares practical leadership lessons, why outcomes must trump inputs, and how to make college “cool” (and affordable) again.

Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith breaks down what the “enrollment cliff” really is and how institutions can respond—nontraditional learners, workforce pathways, and revenue beyond tuition. What is strategic enrollment management and what should you fix first to keep promises to students?

Is higher ed finally proving its value—or still stuck in old habits? In this episode, Charter College’s Josh Swayne joins host Kamaar DeJarnett to talk about the post-COVID reset: why trades are surging, how schools should show outcomes and ROI, and where AI fits (without losing the human touch).

Dr Irma and Kamaar discuss how to make education available to everyone, including providing a blueprint for students to realistically succeed.

Dr. Ames and Kamaar discuss the importance of creating a marketing personalities and the impact AI is going to have on the future of students