Higher Ed Leaders: The Entrepreneurial Campus sponsored by Viv Higher Education
Welcome to Higher Ed Leaders, hosted by Suzan Brinker, PhD, of Viv Higher Education. This podcast is for college and university professionals seeking actionable insights to amplify their impact. This season, we’re focusing on entrepreneurial leadership in higher education—exploring how to accelerate decision-making, navigate imperfect data, and focus on initiatives that truly align with institutional goals. Join us as Suzan and a range of leaders, including presidents and VPs of enrollment, advancement, strategy, and more, share their journeys and leadership strategies.
Episodes
28 episodes
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
SEASON 1, Ep. 6 Allison Turcio, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, Siena College
Siena College grew its enrollment during the COVID years where other institutions saw enrollment fall. Assistant vice president for enrollment and marketing Allison Turcio shares how they did this. Turcio shares insights about being student-cen...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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45:10
SEASON 1, Ep. 5 Greg Wiener P.H.D, President and Christina Graziano J.D, General Counsel and Vice President for Strategy, Assumption University
Greg Weiner and Christina Graziano share their experiences and insights as part of the leadership team at Assumption University with hosts Suzan and Audra. They delve into the unique challenges and opportunities in higher education today, with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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49:15
SEASON 1, Ep. 4 Jaime Hunt, Vice President for University Communications and Chief Marketing Officer, Old Dominion University
The podcast episode features an engaging conversation between host Suzan and Jaime Hunt, Vice President for University Communications and Chief Marketing Officer at Old Dominion University, about the evolving landscape of higher education and t...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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45:46
SEASON 1, Ep. 3 Laurie Joyner, President, St Norbert College
The importance of adapting to ongoing challenges, student support and wellness and leveraging institutional strengths are some of the topics covered in this episode with Dr. Laurie Joyner. Joyner discusses her journey in higher educ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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45:18