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
42 episodes
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...
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’...
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...
SEASON 3: Ep. 3 Leading a College for Half a Century with Leon Botstein from Bard College
In this episode, Bard College President Leon Botstein reflects on a remarkable five decades in higher education leadership. He shares how he unexpectedly became a college president in his twenties, the lessons learned from leading through finan...
SEASON 3: Ep. 4 Resilience, Risk, and University Leadership with Carol Christ, UC Berkeley
In this episode, former UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ reflects on her unexpected path to university leadership and the realities of guiding a major public institution through a period of intense disruption. From free speech controversies ...
SEASON 3: Ep. 5 Building an R1 Without Leaving Students Behind with Freeman Hrabowski III, UMBC
In this episode, longtime University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) president Dr. Freeman Hrabowski reflects on three decades of transformational leadership and the lessons that shaped one of the nation’s most innovative public universiti...
SEASON 3: Ep. 6 The Elegant Experiment with Hilary Link, Drew University
In this episode, Drew University President Hilary shares how she is rethinking the future of higher education through bold, entrepreneurial leadership. From launching an experimental new college designed for real-world problem solving to challe...
SEASON 3: Ep. 7 The Power of Heart-First Leadership with Joseph Brennan, Montclair State University
In this episode of the Higher Ed Leaders podcast, Suzan sits down with Joseph to discuss what leadership looks like in a time of disruption across higher education. Drawing on more than 35 years in higher ed communications and his work as an ex...
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SEASON 3: Ep. 8 From First-Generation Student to Business School Dean with Scott Beaulier, University of Wyoming
In this episode of the Higher Ed Leaders podcast, Suzan sits down with Scott Beaulier, H.A. (Dave) True Family Dean of Business at the University of Wyoming, to discuss his path from first-generation college student to business school dean and ...
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SEASON 3: Ep. 9 One Foot in the Street with Arthur Levine, Brandeis University
In this episode, Arthur Levine, President of Brandeis University, shares his remarkable leadership journey and the bold transformation he has set in motion at Brandeis since joining in November 2024. Drawing on decades of experience leading ins...
SEASON 3: Ep. 10 Purpose, Edge, and Community: Rethinking the Business School with Brooke Elliott, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
In this episode, Brooke Elliott, Dean of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joins host Suzanne to share how a land grant mission and a deep belief in access have shaped one of the most innovative business s...
SEASON 3: Ep. 11 Inside a First Year as College President with Brooke Barnett, Rollins College
In this conversation, Brooke Barnett reflects on her path to the presidency of Rollins College, sharing how an unplanned career that began in journalism evolved into academic leadership through a passion for storytelling, teaching, and amplifyi...
SEASON 3: Ep. 12 From Student to President: Leading the Institution That Made You with Michael Avaltroni, Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU)
In this conversation, Fairleigh Dickinson University President Dr. Michael Avaltroni shares his remarkable journey from FDU undergraduate student to the institution's ninth president, reflecting on what it means to lead the university that shap...
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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...
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...
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...
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, ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
