Life in Higher Ed

If you can't tell the story, how can you lead? - Trisha Beck and Denise Nelson Nash

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2100334/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we explore why the ability to craft and share meaningful stories is essential to effective leadership, sense‑making, and trust‑building in complex organizations. Joining the conversation are Trish Beck and Denise Nelson Nash, co‑authors of Trinity of Leadership: Learners, Thinkers, Tinkerers, and thought leaders whose work examines how leaders use narrative to clarify purpose, navigate change, and inspire action. Together, they discuss storytelling as a strategic practice—one that helps leaders connect values to decisions, bridge divides, and create shared meaning across communities. Drawing on their recent work published by Akers Follett Press, the conversation moves beyond technique to explore storytelling as an ethical and relational act of leadership—particularly relevant in moments of uncertainty and transformation. Trisha Beck, EdD, RN, NE-BC, FACHE Dr. Beck brings over two decades of healthcare leadership experience, combining clinical expertise with innovative organizational transformation. She holds a Master's degree from Northeastern University and a Doctorate from New York University. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to placing human stories at the center of healthcare solutions, bridging medicine and human dignity. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes the intersection of compassion and innovation. Denise Nelson Nash, EdD, MFA, RYT-200 Dr. Nelson Nash is a Renaissance leader whose career spans performing arts, city administration, academia, and executive leadership. She served as Director of Cultural Planning for the City of Pasadena from 1991 to 1997. She holds a BA from Scripps College, an MFA from the University of Michigan, a Doctorate from New York University, and a 200-hour yoga teacher certification. A self-proclaimed "professional Tinkerer," she has mastered the art of reinvention while maintaining her core philosophy of human-centered leadership. Her global experiences and diverse career inform her unique leadership perspective. Resources: Beck, T., Nelson Nash, D., et al. (2026). Trinity of Leadership: Learners, Thinkers, Tinkerers, Akers Folett Press. https://akersfollettpress.com/

Academic Freedom: then vs now - Jonathan Friedman and Amy Reid

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2100334/fan_mail/new] More than half of U.S. college students now attend institutions in states where new laws and policies restrict what can be taught and how campuses can operate, according to a new PEN America report. In this conversation, Jonathan Friedman and Amy Reid explore how these constraints are reshaping student learning, faculty work, and the vital research that transforms curiosity into innovations that drive economic growth, create high-paying jobs, strengthen national security, improve public health, and power new technologies. PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. They champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Their mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.  Jonathan Friedman Jonathan Friedman, Ph.D., is the Sy Syms managing director of U.S. free expression programs at PEN America, where he leads national advocacy to protect the freedom to write, read, and learn and to safeguard the free circulation of literature, art, and ideas. Since joining PEN America in 2018 as the inaugural director of its Campus Free Speech Program, he has developed free expression workshops for higher education, expanded the organization’s work opposing book bans, educational gag orders, and government censorship in schools and universities, and overseen initiatives such as the Flashpoints centenary series and Free Expression Advocacy institutes for youth. An interdisciplinary scholar and prolific report author and media commentator on academic, artistic, and press freedom, he has facilitated dozens of programs across education, library, and arts sectors and holds an MA and Ph.D. in international education from NYU. Amy Reid Amy Reid is the Interim Program Director for PEN America’s Freedom to Learn Program, where she collaborates with national and state-based networks to resist government censorship in higher education and champion public education and the liberal arts. She previously served as a professor of French and director of Gender Studies at New College of Florida, and in 2023–2024 was Chair of the Faculty and faculty representative on the Board of Trustees, working to defend academic freedom in the Florida State University System. A PhD in French from Yale and an award-winning translator of Francophone African fiction, she has translated works by authors including Véronique Tadjo, Patrice Nganang, Mutt-Lon, and Blaise Ndala, and is currently translating Marie-Célie Agnant’s novel Rosa the Alligator, forthcoming in 2025. Resources: America’s Censored Campuses: Expanding the Web of Control  https://pen.org/report/americas-censored-campuses-25-web-of-control/ [https://pen.org/report/americas-censored-campuses-25-web-of-control/] Snapshots of Censorship https://pen.org/snapshots-of-censorship/

Faculty Mentoring: what mentees need today - R. Todd Benson

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2100334/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we sit down with R. Todd Benson from COACHE (Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education) to explore what makes faculty mentoring truly effective. Todd shares insights from COACHE's extensive research on faculty job satisfaction and workplace climate across hundreds of institutions. We discuss the data-driven elements that contribute to successful mentoring relationships, common pitfalls departments face, and practical strategies for creating a culture where both new and established faculty can thrive. Whether you're a department chair, a seasoned mentor, or a junior faculty member seeking guidance, this conversation offers perspectives on building stronger academic communities through intentional mentoring practices. R. Todd Benson R. Todd Benson, Ed.D., is the executive director and principal investigator of the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) — a research-practice partnership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Benson leads the COACHE team across all dimensions of its research and partner engagement and has worked in higher education for three decades. He is the co-author of a new book: Evaluating Educational Development: A Comprehensive and Data-Driven Approach for Colleges and Universities, (Carol A. Hurney, Bonnie B. Mullinix and R. Todd Benson, Routledge, December 2024), which shows how educational developers can use data to monitor and demonstrate the impact of their work, laying the foundation for evidence-based decisions to improve practice. Benson earned his doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership and Policy at Vanderbilt University, where he studied the experiences of doctoral students and the factors that contributed to their respective career outcomes. Previously, Benson served as a student affairs professional for over 10 years at colleges and universities across the country. Resources: Hurney, C.A., et al. (2024). Evaluating Educational Development: A Comprehensive and Data-Driven Approach for Colleges and Universities, Routledge. Mathews, K., & Benson, R. T. (2023). Evidence-based faculty development: The COACHE research-practice partnership. In Success After Tenure (pp. 263-284). Routledge. Davis, T. M., et al. 2022). Barriers to the successful mentoring of faculty of color. Journal of Career Development, 49(5), 1063-1081.

In crisis and calm: building an essential partnership with your institution's legal counsel - Guilherme Costa

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2100334/fan_mail/new] From navigating routine compliance challenges to managing full-blown institutional crises, discover how administrators cultivate strategic partnerships with their legal advisor that prove invaluable when the stakes are highest. Guilherne Costa shares candid insights on building trust during quiet periods, establishing clear communication protocols, and why the best crisis responses start long before trouble hits campus. Whether you're facing student protests, Title IX investigations, or unexpected legal challenges, this episode reveals how to transform your general counsel from reactive advisor to proactive strategic partner. Guilherme M. Costa Guilherme M. Costa serves as the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Corporation of Bentley University. Guilherme brings more than 15 years of higher education leadership experience, having previously served Syracuse University as the Interim Senior Vice President and University Secretary (and previously as the Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy University Secretary), Ithaca College as the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, the South Dakota Board of Regents as General Counsel, and the University of Idaho as the Deputy General Counsel (and previously as the Associate General Counsel).   Guilherme earned undergraduate degrees in business administration and political science from the University of Florida, a law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, and a master’s degree in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership from the University of Idaho.  Resources Fabiano, A, Harrington, B, et al. (2025). Five Priorities for College & University Legal Counsel Starting the Academic Year Masterly Legal (2024). Why Higher Education Institutions Need a Dedicated Higher Education Attorney https://www.masterlylegal.com/why-higher-education-institutions-need-a-dedicated-higher-education-attorney Morioka, S. (2022). The Evolution of the General Counsel https://quadrangle.michigan.law.umich.edu/issues/fall-2022/evolution-general-counsel

Beyond the application: the changing face of college admissions - Kent Barnds

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2100334/fan_mail/new] With recent shifts in federal and state policies, legal rulings, and evolving demographics, how are institutions adapting their approaches to student recruitment and selection? This question is on the minds of educators, administrators, and families across the nation.  W. Kent Barnds, executive vice president for strategy and innovation, Augustana College Kent brings over 30 years of strategic leadership experience in higher education to today's conversation. As a seasoned higher ed professional who has served in key roles including Vice President for Enrollment, Communication, and Planning and Executive Vice President at Augustana College, as well as contributing to organizational success at Elizabethtown College, Kent has become a trusted advisor in the non-profit sector. His expertise spans strategic planning, enrollment management, and organizational development, with a proven track record of driving sustainable growth and enhancing student experiences. Known for his analytical rigor and collaborative approach, Kent excels at engaging diverse stakeholders and translating strategic vision into actionable plans. His ability to synthesize market trends, facilitate consensus, and navigate complex challenges has consistently delivered results for the institutions he's served. As a recognized thought leader in higher education strategy, Kent continues to help organizations chart successful courses in an ever-evolving landscape, making him an invaluable voice on the future of higher education and non-profit leadership. References Legatt, A. (2025, July 29). College admissions is changing. Here’s what parents need to know. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2025/07/29/college-admissions-is-changing-heres-what-parents-need-to-know/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2025/07/29/college-admissions-is-changing-heres-what-parents-need-to-know/] Urban Institute. (2025, July 2). College enrollment patterns are changing. New data show applicant and admit pools are too. Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/college-enrollment-patterns-are-changing-new-data-show-applicant-and-admit-pools-are-too [https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/college-enrollment-patterns-are-changing-new-data-show-applicant-and-admit-pools-are-too] American Psychological Association. (2023, August 7). APA reaffirms support for equity, inclusion in college admissions, in response to Supreme Court ruling. APA Newsroom. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/08/equity-inclusion-college-admissions [https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/08/equity-inclusion-college-admissions]