EdUp Provost – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Edup Provost, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner speaks with Dr. Elaine P. Maimon, President Emerita of Governors State University (2007-2020) and author of Leading Academic Change: Vision, Strategy, Transformation. A blueprint for fast-tracking reform in higher education, Leading Academic Change goes beyond recounting Dr. Maimon's transformation of Governors State University. It provides numerous actionable strategies for effective change management in academia. This conversation focuses on the role provosts play in driving academic change.

Topics Discussed

Shaping a University’s Long-Term Vision: Insights on Vision, Strategy, and Transformation for Provosts

Key Qualities for Provosts: Building Collaborative and Transformative Leadership in Higher Education

Navigating Resistance to Change: Advice for New Provosts Leading Institutional Transformation

Prioritizing Student Success in Institutional Change: Strategies for Provosts

Strengthening University-Community Connections: The Role of Provosts in Serving Local Needs

 

Listen in to #EdUp!

Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!

Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - ⁠Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio

Join YOUR EdUp community at ⁠The EdUp Experience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

We make education YOUR business!

EdUp Provost is the new podcast series of the ⁠⁠⁠Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO)⁠⁠⁠ brought to you in collaboration with the ⁠⁠⁠EdUp Experience⁠⁠⁠, America's leading higher education podcast network. Find out what EdUp Provost & ACAO are all about!

In this conversation, EdUp Provost host, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner discusses the pressing challenges facing liberal arts institutions with Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, President of the Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). She emphasizes the importance of liberal education in fostering critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and civic engagement while also addressing the need for provosts to adapt curricula to integrate emerging technologies like AI. The discussion highlights the role of organizations like AAC&U in supporting provosts and reshaping the narrative around the value of liberal arts education, particularly in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

Takeaways

- Liberal arts education is crucial for democratizing opportunity.

- Liberal arts foster critical thinking and civic engagement.

- Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to education.

- Interdisciplinary approaches enhance learning outcomes.

- AAC&U provides resources for provosts' support.

In this conversation, Gregor Thuswaldner discusses the evolving role of provosts in fundraising within higher education with Jim Langley, President of Langley Innovations. Langley highlights the importance of understanding donor motivations, creating conditions for investment, and avoiding common mistakes in fundraising practices. He advocates for a shift towards authenticity and partnership in fundraising efforts, encouraging provosts to leverage their academic networks effectively. The conversation concludes with insights on the significance of building meaningful relationships with donors and the impact of literature on personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

Fundraising is shifting from institutional to specific academic unit support.

Provosts need to develop skills in partnership building and understanding donor motivations.

Effective fundraising requires creating conditions for investment in academic initiatives.

Provosts should avoid common mistakes like being laissez-faire in fundraising efforts.

Donors increasingly want to engage in problem-solving rather than just giving money.

In this conversation, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner and Dr. Robert A. Scott discuss the critical role of provosts in higher education governance, particularly in their interactions with university boards. Dr. Scott is the author of "How University Boards Work: A Guide for Trustees, Officers, and Leaders in Higher Education" (Johns Hopkins University Press.) He emphasizes the importance of effective communication, understanding board dynamics, and the need for ongoing education for both trustees and faculty. The discussion covers the challenges provosts face in bridging the gap between academic affairs and board decisions, as well as strategies for keeping boards informed about current issues and long-term academic planning.

 

Takeaways

Orientation for new trustees is crucial for effective governance.

Misunderstandings often arise from trustees lacking higher education experience.

Provosts should facilitate communication between faculty and trustees.

Shared governance requires mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities.

In this conversation, Professor Alex Hill discusses his research on centennial organizations, which have thrived for over a century. He shares insights from his book, Centennial's: The 12 Habits of Great Enduring Organizations, highlighting the key habits that contribute to the longevity and resilience of these institutions. The discussion covers the importance of purpose, the role of leadership, and the need for organizations to engage with future generations. Hill emphasizes the significance of maintaining a balance between stability and innovation and the necessity for organizations to proactively disrupt themselves to adapt to changing environments.

Takeaways

Centennial organizations have unique habits that contribute to their longevity.

Purpose and a clear North Star are essential for enduring organizations.

Long-term success requires a balance between stability and innovation.

High-performing organizations often have leaders who stay for extended periods.

Disruption is necessary for growth, but it should be managed carefully.

 

In this episode, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner discusses the economic side of higher education with Jason Schenker, the most accurate economic forecaster in 25 categories since 2011. Their discussion focuses on the importance of liberal arts education in the digital age, the necessity of lifelong learning, and the integration of sustainability into academic programs. Schenker emphasizes the economic trends affecting higher education, including rising costs and the need for universities to adapt to changing workforce demands.

Takeaways:

• Liberal arts education fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Lifelong learning is essential in a rapidly changing job market.
• Sustainability is becoming a crucial component of higher education.
• Economic pressures are driving changes in funding models for universities.
• Networking and real-world experience are vital for student success.

In this episode, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner interviews Dr. Jonathan Gyurko, a prominent education leader and co-founder of the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). They discuss the mission of ACUE, which focuses on ensuring student success through quality instruction and the importance of effective teaching practices. The conversation also explores the impact of teaching excellence on student retention, Gyurko’s concept of publicization in education, and the potential of public-private partnerships. Additionally, they address the changing roles of faculty, the need for innovation in teaching, and the importance of equity and inclusion in higher education.

 

Topics Discussed

ACUE’s Mission and Impact on Student Success

The Role of Provosts in Advancing Teaching Excellence

Public-Private Partnerships in (Higher) Education

Faculty Development and Changing Teaching Practices

The National Higher Education Teaching Conference

 

Listen in to #EdUp!

Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!

Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - ⁠Elvin Freytes⁠ & ⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠

Join YOUR EdUp community at ⁠The EdUp Experience⁠!

We make education YOUR business!

 

In this conversation with EdUp Provost Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Mary Wright discusses the significance of Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) in higher education, their impact on faculty and student success, and the challenges they face, including faculty resistance and the integration of new technologies like AI. She emphasizes the need for continuous professional development in teaching, the importance of aligning CTLs with institutional priorities, and the balance between teaching and research in academia. In this conversation, Wright and Thuswaldner discuss the evolving landscape of teaching excellence in higher education. They explore the importance of continuous professional learning, the need to rethink reward structures for teaching, and the role of Centers for Teaching and Learning in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and diversity, equity, and inclusion. They also address the challenges faced by these centers in demonstrating their value and the necessity of supporting change agents within educational institutions. Takeaways • Assessment of CTLs should include participation and satisfaction. • Faculty engagement with CTLs is crucial for perceived value. • Teaching is a complex and continuous professional activity. • CTLs can help navigate resistance to new teaching methodologies. • AI integration in education requires nuanced approaches.

This conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner explores the essential business practices in higher education, focusing on the roles of provosts, the concept of students as co-producers, the impact of rankings, and the importance of strategic planning and fundraising. Dr. Erica Eckert and Dr. Mark Kretovics discuss their book, which serves as a guide for administrators, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of business concepts in academia. In this conversation, Drs. Eckert and Kretovics discuss the evolving landscape of higher education, focusing on the importance of engaging alumni for lifelong learning, addressing demographic shifts and enrollment challenges, and navigating cultural resistance within institutions. They emphasize the need for academic leaders to balance traditional educational values with necessary business practices to ensure sustainability. The discussion also highlights the significance of understanding faculty incentives and the role they play in student retention and institutional success. Takeaways • Provosts must transition from experts in their field to generalists. • Understanding budgeting and human resources is crucial for new administrators. • The student as a co-producer model emphasizes active engagement in learning. • Rankings can lead institutions to make detrimental decisions. • Strategic planning should be a dynamic, ongoing process.