The Higher Edge

Engaging Students with Education Policy and Politics

Today’s sociopolitical climate has been drastically influenced by the rise of digital media and 24-hour news sources. Unfortunately, a gradual decline in civics exposure in our classrooms has also contributed to an unsettling polarization in our society. Joe Kahne [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-kahne-2301128/], Co-Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group [http://www.civicsurvey.org/] (CERG) and Professor at the University of California-Riverside [https://www.ucr.edu/], is fighting to re-engage students at all levels in the civics conversation. Through initiatives like Connecting Classrooms to Congress [https://www.civicsurvey.org/projects-current/connectingclassrooms], Joe hopes to give the next generation a desire to get involved in American democracy and challenge their own perspectives. Join us as we discuss: - The impact of affective polarization on democracy (4:11) - Digital media’s influence on the civics discourse (16:32) - A lesson in civics leadership and political word association (25:19) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - joekahne@ucr.edu [joekahne@ucr.edu] - Civic Engagement Research Group [http://www.civicsurvey.org/] - Connecting Classrooms to Congress [https://www.civicsurvey.org/projects-current/connectingclassrooms] - University of California-Riverside [https://www.ucr.edu/] To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7], or our website [https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts] or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Data Tells, Stories Sell: How a Community College Leverages Good Works

Any number of socioeconomic roadblocks may prevent underserved college students from fulfilling their higher education dream. As someone with a disadvantaged upbringing himself, Galen Dehay [https://www.linkedin.com/in/galendehay/], President of Tri-County Technical College [https://www.tctc.edu/], believes circumstances shouldn’t define potential. His administration has partnered with multiple nonprofits to give under-resourced students a chance at meaningful careers. Galen shares how community collaboration and authentic engagement are setting up under-resourced students for success.   Join us as we discuss: - Wraparound services, I-BEST, and SC Thrive(8:03) - DACA and other policies impacting underserved students (21:04) - Designing an educational experience that benefits students (29:03) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Gdehay@tctc.edu [Gdehay@tctc.edu] - Galen Dehay [https://www.linkedin.com/in/galendehay/] - The Future of Education [https://mcmillanpazdansmith.com/podcasts/education/] - Tri-County Technical College [https://www.tctc.edu/] - Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training [https://www.tctc.edu/programs/transition-programs-resources/i-best/] (I-BEST) - SC Thrive [https://scthrive.org/] - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [https://www.uscis.gov/DACA] (DACA) - Aspen Institute [https://www.aspeninstitute.org/] To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7], or our website [https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts] or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.   Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

The Accidental IT Leader

Some in higher ed assume that colleges and university information technology departments are simply tasked with fixing computer glitches and resetting passwords. But IT does far more than just “keep the lights running.” IT leaders are pioneering innovation in real-time, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way. In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Johnston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davejohnston63/], Director of Information Technology at Mendocino College [https://www.mendocino.edu/], and Andy Specht [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfspecht/], Director of Information Technology Services at Allen Hancock College [https://www.hancockcollege.edu/]. Dave and Andy talk about their first 90 days in IT leadership roles, keeping the human connection in technology, and their upcoming presentation at the CISOA 2023 Technology Summit [https://cisoa.org/technology-summit/]. Join us as we discuss: - Becoming an accidental IT leader through attrition (2:22) - Getting colleagues and cabinet members on board in innovation (20:06) - An intentional focus on advancing projects with “10% time” (23:21) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - CISOA 2023 Technology Summit [https://cisoa.org/technology-summit/] - Dave Johnston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davejohnston63/] - djohnston@mendocino.edu [djohnston@mendocino.edu] - Mendocino College [https://www.mendocino.edu/] - Andy Specht [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfspecht/] - aspecht@hancockcollege.edu [aspecht@hancockcollege.edu] - Allen Hancock College [https://www.hancockcollege.edu/] To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7], or our website [https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts] or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.   Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Leading Collaborative Change Across Indiana’s Higher Ed Landscape

State commissioners have the exceptional duty of coordinating with public and independent institutions to define public college and university initiatives that will shape the higher education infrastructure across their state. In this episode, Chris Lowery [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lowery-17845517/], a recently appointed commissioner with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education [https://www.in.gov/che/], gives his unique perspective on the inner workings of his state’s governing body. Chris brings a wealth of experience from the public, private, and academic sectors as he tells us about collaborative partnerships that will help give Indiana students The Higher Edge. Join us as we discuss: * The importance of academic and workforce partnerships (8:28) * Collaborative partnerships with a Pentagon of People (17:38) * Strategic initiatives to improve the college-going rate (25:10) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: * Email: clowery@che.in.gov * Linkedin: Chris Lowery [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lowery-17845517/] * Website: Indiana Commission for Higher Education [https://www.in.gov/che/]  * Website: Independent Colleges of Indiana [https://www.icindiana.org/] * Website: Frank O’Bannon Grant [https://www.in.gov/che/state-financial-aid/state-financial-aid-by-program/frank-obannon-grant/] * Website: 21st Century Scholars Program [https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars#:~:text=The%20Scholar%20Success%20Program%20outlines,school%20Scholar%20Success%20Program%20here.] To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7], or our website [https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts] or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.   Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.

Fight for Your Students: A Provost’s Perspective of the Future

College and university provosts are tasked with a unique mission in higher education. Now called Chief Academic Officers at many institutions, provosts ensure that business-minded school administrations never lose sight of their core purpose: preparing their students for life through quality education. As a former provost herself, Kara Monroe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmonroe/], Founder and President of Monarch Strategies [https://www.monarchstrategiesllc.com/], never lost her passion for helping others navigate the complexities of higher academia.   Kara talks about the value of collaboration and continuous learning, as well as the ongoing fight for education reform.   Join us as we discuss: - The role of the modern provost in a corporatized administration (7:06) - Strategic coaching and learning new administrative skills (19:23) - The need for higher ed reform and competency-based education (25:28) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - kara@monarchstrategiesllc.com [kara@monarchstrategiesllc.com] - Kara’s Blog [https://iwannabemewhenigrowup.substack.com/] - Monarch Strategies [https://www.monarchstrategiesllc.com/] - Ivy Tech Community College [https://www.ivytech.edu/] - The Higher Learning Commission [https://www.hlcommission.org/] - WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies [https://wcet.wiche.edu/] To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-edge/id1638761661], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nvkr3fpX4qdpGOqVScS2g?si=54c02cecbf8e4fb7], or our website [https://www.invokelearning.com/resources/podcasts] or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.   Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy [https://ausha.co/privacy-policy] for more information.