Higher Ed Leaders by Viv Higher Education
Welcome to Higher Ed Leaders, hosted by Suzan Brinker, PhD, of Viv Higher Education, is the podcast for higher education professionals who believe colleges and universities are strongest when they are bold, adaptive, and built to last.
We are excited to bring you Season 3 of Higher Ed Leaders. This season continues our focus on entrepreneurial leadership, this time through founding and long-term impact stories. Across each episode, we explore how institutions, schools, programs, and major initiatives were first imagined, launched, and sustained. Through conversations with presidents, vice presidents, and senior leaders, the podcast digs into decision-making with imperfect information, prioritization, and knowing when to move forward or say no, all with an eye toward lasting impact in higher education.
Previous seasons include Season 2, which focused on The Entrepreneurial Campus, and Season 1, centered on Transforming and Innovating Higher Education.
Episodes
32 episodes
SEASON 3: Ep. 2 Building Jersey College to Address the Nursing Shortage with Greg Karzhevsky
In this episode, Greg Karzhevsky, founder of Jersey College, shares how a real workforce need led him to create a nursing school built for adult learners. What began as a way to support medically fragile children and the families who care for t...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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29:35
SEASON 3: Trailer - Higher Ed Leaders: Founding and Legacy - From First Vision to Lasting Impact
Welcome to Higher Ed Leaders, the podcast for higher education professionals who believe colleges and universities are strongest when they are bold, adaptive, and built to last. This season, we’re again focused on entrepreneurial leadership, th...
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Season 3
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0:46
SEASON 3: Ep. 1 Leading With Purpose: An Interview with Dr. Humphrey at Carlow University
In this episode, Carlow University President Kathy W. Humphrey shares her leadership story, shaped by her experience as a first-generation college student, her faith, and her lifelong comfort with navigating uncertainty. She reflects on Carlow’...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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27:03
SEASON 2, Ep. 14 Building Trust and Driving Change with Thom D. Chesney, President of Southwestern College (NM)
In this episode of Higher Ed Leaders, Thom D. Chesney, President of Southwestern College, offers an in-depth look at his 40-year journey through higher education and the leadership lessons he has learned along the way. Now in his third presiden...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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35:12
SEASON 2, Ep. 13 Faith, Innovation, and the Future of Higher Education with Michael Hammond, President of Gordon College
In this episode, President Michael Hammond of Gordon College shares his unconventional path into higher education leadership. His journey was not the result of a set career plan, but rather a desire to combine intellectual inquiry with meaningf...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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25:23
SEASON 2, Ep. 12 The Joyful Administrator with Karlyn Crowley, Provost of Ohio Wesleyan University
In this episode, we delve into the transformative journey of Karlyn Crowley, Provost of Ohio Wesleyan University, exploring her profound impact on higher education. From her early experiences that solidified her belief in the liberal arts to he...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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29:18
SEASON 2, Ep. 11 Beyond the Status Quo with Jeffrey Senese, President of Caldwell University
This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Jeff, a seasoned leader in higher education, currently serving as the president of Caldwell University. Jeff shares his unique and extensive career journey, moving from a faculty role ...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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36:17
SEASON 2, Ep. 10 Innovating Enrollment: Augustana's Strategic Approach with Kent Barnds, Exe. VP of for Strategy and Innovation Augustana College
In this episode, Kent, a seasoned higher education leader at Augustana College, shares his journey and insights into navigating the evolving landscape of higher education. He discusses Augustana's strategic initiatives, including a focus on stu...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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33:28
SEASON 2, Ep. 9 HBCU Innovation: Shaping the Future from Monique Guillory, President of Dillard University
This episode features an interview with Monique Guillory, President of Dillard University, Louisiana's oldest HBCU. She discusses the challenges facing higher education, including the demographic cliff and the need to prove the value of a colle...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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14:57
SEASON 2, Ep. 8 Healing Through Brand: Transforming Higher Education from Jenny Petty, VP of Marketing & Communications at the University of Montana
In this episode, Jenny shares her journey in higher education marketing, from her early days in the private sector to her current role as CMO at the University of Montana. She discusses the challenges of rebranding institutions, including navig...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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29:43
SEASON 2, Ep. 7 Geneva's Leap: Rebranding, Tuition Promise, and the Future of Liberal Arts from Willem de Ruijter, VP of Enrollment & Marketing at Geneva College
In this episode, Willem, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Geneva College, shares his journey in higher education and the innovative strategies driving Geneva's success. He discusses the college's recent rebranding efforts, the impl...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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25:26
SEASON 2, Ep. 6 The Future of Higher Ed: Insights from Debra Liebowitz, Provost at Quinnipiac University
This podcast features Debra, Provost of Quinnipiac University, discussing her journey into higher education leadership and her perspective on navigating the current challenges and opportunities in the field. She highlights Quinnipiac's entrepre...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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25:47
SEASON 2, Ep. 5 Innovative Leadership & AI: An Interview with Frank Hribar, Vice President, Enrollment & Student Affairs at Adrian College
Frank, a higher education leader at Adrian College, shares insights from his career and the college’s remarkable enrollment growth. Starting in supply chain management, he shifted to higher education to work more closely with students. Over the...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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28:06
SEASON 2, Ep. 4 Thriving Amid the FAFSA Chaos: An Interview with Nathan Ament, Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission at Knox College
Nathan, VP of Enrollment at Knox College in Illinois, shares his unique journey from high school band director to higher education administrator. He explains how Knox achieved a remarkable 60% enrollment increase despite nationwide challenges, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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31:33
SEASON 2, Ep. 3 Future-Ready Higher Ed: An Interview with Lisa Keegan, Vice President, Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success at Bucknell University
In this episode, Lisa Keegan, VP of Enrollment at Bucknell University, shares her unconventional path in higher education—from starting in admissions at Elon University to briefly pursuing law before returning to the field. She discusses the ch...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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32:52
SEASON 2, Ep. 2 Challenging the Status Quo: An Interview with Paul McGinnis, Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment at Bethel University
Paul McGinnis, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Bethel University, brings a fresh perspective to higher education with his background in business rather than academia. In this conversation, he shares his unique journey into the sec...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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32:45
SEASON 2, Ep. 1 Redefining Education: An Interview with Catherine Whelburg, President of Athens State University
Catherine, president of Athens State University, reflects on her 30-year journey in higher education, moving from faculty roles to administration and eventually the presidency. Her early passion for assessment and its impact on teaching and lea...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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23:51
SEASON 2: Trailer - Higher Ed Leaders: The Entrepreneurial Campus sponsored by Viv Higher Education
Welcome to Higher Ed Leaders, the podcast for college and university professionals looking for real tools and real talk to amplify their impact. If you believe that higher ed is unparalleled in its ability to transform individual lives and soci...
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0:53
SEASON 1, Ep. 13 Brian Bruess & Kara Kolomitz, Joint President and COO of The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
In this episode, Dr Brian Bruess, the inaugural joint president, and Dr. Kara Kolomitz, the inaugural joint COO of The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, share insights into devising a unified leadership structure for both i...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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51:42
SEASON 1, Ep. 12 Jefferson Blackburn-Smith, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Otterbein Enrollment Management Division, Otterbein University
Understanding the student life cycle, increasing diversity and inclusion the importance of curiosity in creating change are some of the topics Jefferson Blackburn-Smith, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Otterbein University...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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44:38
SEASON 1, Ep. 11 Dr Walter Wendler, President, West Texas A&M University
Dr Walter Wendler, President of West Texas A&M University, discusses his work in academia and his role at West Texas A&M. He covers the importance of meeting students where they are and appreciating their value systems, representing min...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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42:45
SEASON 1, Ep. 10 Danielle O'Neil, Chief Marketing Officer, University of New Hampshire
In this episode, Suzan interviews Danielle O'Neil, the CMO at the University of New Hampshire. O’Neill shares her journey in higher education and the challenges she has faced in her role. She highlights the importance of internal communication ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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35:06
SEASON 1, Ep. 9 Carrie Phillips, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Suzan and Audra speak with Carrie Phillips, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Phillips shares her journey from a career in television to higher education, driven by a desire to do 'work t...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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44:19
SEASON 1, Ep. 8 Dr. Mary Beth Williams, Vice President Of Student Affairs, Millersville University
Suzan and Audra interview Dr. Mary Beth Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs at Millersville University. Dr. Williams narrates her unique journey as a first-generation college student, emphasizing how her struggles and experiences signi...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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37:56
SEASON 1, Ep. 7 Kimberly Zimmerman, Assistant Vice President of Admissions, Knox College
Kimberly Zimmerman, Assistant Vice President of Admissions from Knox College shares her own journey in higher education, how she ended up working in admissions, and her strategies in recruiting students with Suzan in this episode of the Higher ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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37:02