Public Trust, Media Narratives, and the Future of Higher Ed

What Real Industry-Integrated Education Looks Like

The disconnect between higher education and the workforce is widely acknowledged but rarely addressed at the institutional level. Most universities respond by adding internships, expanding career services, or launching new programs. Few are built on the premise that half of what students need to learn cannot be taught in a classroom. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz speaks with Dr. Robert K. McMahan, President of Kettering University, about what it looks like when a university makes industry integration central to its identity. Drawing on Dr. McMahan's 15 years leading Kettering and the institution's century-long cooperative education model, the conversation explores how universities can build real professional experience into every student's path, why long-tenured presidencies make structural change possible, and what colleges owe the communities they sit in. Rather than defending the traditional academic model, this episode focuses on what becomes possible when universities are willing to reinvent themselves. The conversation also looks at higher education's resistance to change, the rapid disappearance of entry-level roles in an AI-driven economy, and what genuine collaboration between universities, industry, and community looks like in practice. In this episode: * Why long-term presidencies make meaningful institutional change possible * How Kettering's cooperative education model integrates classroom learning with professional experience * What universities can do to support the cities and communities around them * Why higher education often treats change as a threat rather than a need * How AI is reshaping entry-level roles and what it means for higher ed

The Real Formula for Collaboration That Works

Radical cooperation is the key to building stronger, more resilient institutions—and in this episode, you’ll learn exactly how it works. Radical cooperation isn’t just a concept; it’s a practical framework made up of seven elements that can transform how teams collaborate and succeed. If you’ve ever wondered why some organizations thrive together while others struggle, this conversation reveals the structure behind real collaboration. Hosted by Dr. Horowitz and Associate Director of Communications for The Community Solution Education System, Stephanie Bihr, this episode explores the 7 elements of radical cooperation from Dr. Horowitz’s book, The Community Solution: The Power of Radical Cooperation in Higher Education [https://www.amazon.com/Community-Solution-Radical-Cooperation-Education/dp/B0FP149X2C], and how they apply. From niche superpowers and two-way learning to productive humility and continuous urgency, you’ll hear how these principles help institutions navigate uncertainty, strengthen partnerships, and drive meaningful outcomes. Whether you're leading a team, managing change, or building community, this episode offers a clear framework for working better together. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The 7 elements that make radical cooperation actually work * How to identify and leverage your organization’s niche superpower * Why two-way learning strengthens teams and communities * The role of humility and risk-taking in effective collaboration * How continuous urgency drives real impact and momentum Don’t risk operating in silos while others build stronger, more adaptive partnerships. Learn how to apply radical cooperation to create lasting impact.

How Collaboration Is Unlocking New Opportunities

What is radical cooperation, and why is it becoming a powerful solution in higher education?  In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Horowitz and Associate Director of Communications for The Community Solution Education System, Stephanie Bihr, explore the core concept at the heart of his book, The Community Solution: The Power of Radical Cooperation in Higher Education [https://www.amazon.com/Community-Solution-Radical-Cooperation-Education/dp/B0FP149X2C] and why it offers a new path forward for institutions facing growing complexity and change. Drawing on nearly two decades of leadership experience, Dr. Horowitz explains how radical cooperation enables colleges and universities to maintain their unique identities while sharing resources, aligning around a common mission, and working together to scale impact. Through real-world examples, this conversation brings the ideas from the book to life and offers practical insight for leaders looking to apply them within their own organizations or teams. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why radical cooperation works when traditional collaboration fails * How shared infrastructure creates growth across institutions * The role of leadership and governance in making cooperation succeed * Practical ways to break down silos within your organization * How culture drives long-term collaboration success

Public Trust, Media Narratives, and the Future of Higher Ed

Higher education leadership is under more pressure than ever—and in this episode, we explore how media narratives are shaping public trust in the sector. Today’s leaders must navigate misinformation, political scrutiny, and financial instability while still delivering meaningful outcomes for students. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, host Dr. Michael Horowitz sits down with Sara Custer, Editor-in-Chief of Inside Higher Ed, to examine the growing tension between media coverage and institutional reality. Together, they unpack how public perception is formed, why trust in higher education is increasingly fragile, and how leaders can respond with clarity and strategy in a rapidly shifting landscape. From leadership transitions after founders step down to the rise of AI-generated content and its impact on journalism, this conversation offers a nuanced look at the forces reshaping higher education. Grounded in the principles of The Community Solution [https://www.amazon.com/Community-Solution-Radical-Cooperation-Education/dp/B0FP149X2C], it also highlights how collaboration, transparency, and shared strategy can help institutions build resilience and better serve students. What you’ll learn: * How media narratives shape public trust in higher education * The most pressing leadership challenges facing colleges and universities * Why financial pressures and institutional closures are accelerating * How journalism—and AI—are transforming the information landscape * What it takes to successfully step into leadership after a founder exits

What College Athletics Really Cost Institutions

Athletics often sit at the center of campus identity, yet decisions about sports programs are rarely examined through the same strategic lens as academics, enrollment, or finance. As costs rise and the landscape shifts, leaders face increasingly complex choices about whether athletics strengthen institutional health or quietly strain it. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz speaks with Dr. Daniel Mahony about how presidents and senior leaders navigate the real trade-offs behind college sports. Drawing on Mahony’s experience leading institutions through financial, cultural, and competitive pressures, the conversation explores why most athletic programs operate at a loss, how even the largest conferences face sustainability challenges, and why collaboration across leadership teams matters more than scale or prestige. Rather than debating whether athletics belong in higher education, this episode focuses on how leaders make deliberate, mission-aligned decisions and when athletics can become a strategic asset rather than a liability. In this episode: * The institutional costs and benefits of college athletics * How athletics shape campus culture and identity * When sports programs support mission and when they complicate it * Why athletics decisions require system-level leadership * How institutions align athletics with long-term priorities