The Higher Edge

Description

Welcome to “The Higher Edge” – a podcast for the brightest minds in higher education to hear from the change makers and rule breakers that are driving meaningful, impactful change for students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the country. Join award-winning education executive and your host, Brendan Aldrich, to hear from today’s industry leaders as they share the stories and experiences that are shaping forward-thinking institutions. From improving operations to supporting student success, this is where you’ll learn proven recommendations and actionable tips that will give you, “The Higher Edge”.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

26 episodes

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 (mailto: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 for more information.
32min | Published on March 28, 2023
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 (mailto: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 for more information.
31min | Published on March 21, 2023
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 (mailto:djohnston@mendocino.edu) - Mendocino College (https://www.mendocino.edu/) - Andy Specht (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfspecht/) - aspecht@hancockcollege.edu (mailto: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 for more information.
35min | Published on March 7, 2023
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 for more information.
36min | Published on February 28, 2023
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 (mailto: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 for more information.
34min | Published on February 14, 2023
Expectations of Excellence: Educating Tomorrow’s Culturally-Savvy Leaders
HBCUs were birthed out of necessity during America’s segregation period, giving black students a place of belonging in higher education. Today, they continue that mission while leading the charge in educating and promoting diverse, global-minded talent. For instance, Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-ford-phd/), President of Dillard University (https://www.dillard.edu/), and her colleagues are sharing real life experiences through the reestablished National Center for Black-Jewish Relations (https://dillard.edu/communications/news/national-center-for-black-jewish-relations.php). Rochelle gives her passionate insight into how HBCUs are advancing our country — and the world — by actively bringing communities together in a polarizing climate. Join us as we discuss: - How HBCUs provide a place of belonging for black students (11:30) - Microaggressions and misguided expectations (20:40) - Articulation agreements and promoting global-minded talent (31:55) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-ford-phd/) - Dillard University (https://www.dillard.edu/) - The National Center for Black-Jewish Relations (https://dillard.edu/communications/news/national-center-for-black-jewish-relations.php) - The Council of Independent Colleges (https://www.cic.edu/Pages/default.aspx) 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 for more information.
40min | Published on February 7, 2023
Founding a Nationwide University System for Democracy and Social Justice
In 2019, Bill Groves (https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-r-groves-23814527/), Chancellor of Antioch University (https://www.antioch.edu/), and the school’s board agreed that affiliation was key to advancing their mission of social justice. Their search for a sister school ultimately led them to their very own backyard in Ohio as John Comerford (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-comerford-3b776218/), President of Otterbein University (https://www.otterbein.edu/), and his peers answered the call. Together, these institutions are forming a perfect partnership built on strengthening the future of our nation’s foundation of democracy and social justice. Bill and John share how this union came to pass and how it will benefit their institutions, this nation, and the higher education landscape. Join us as we discuss: - The schools’ founding principles and parallel missions for justice (6:13) - Why Antioch began their affiliate search and Otterbein’s selection (11:18) - The higher ed community’s reaction to the schools’ partnership (25:07) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - John Comerford Email (mailto:comerford1@otterbein.edu) - Otterbein University (https://www.otterbein.edu/) - Bill Groves Email (mailto:chancellor@antioch.edu) - Antioch University (https://www.antioch.edu/) - The Council of Independent Colleges 2023 Presidents Institute (https://www.cic.edu/programs/2023-presidents-institute) - AAC&U 2023 Annual Meeting (https://www.aacu.org/event/2023-annual-meeting) 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 for more information.
33min | Published on January 31, 2023
People and the Art of Change in Higher Education IT
As a young man, Joe Moreau (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmoreau/) dreamed of a career in the arts. But an early job in media production at a small university planted the seed for his love of higher education. After a rewarding journey as a Chief Information Officer, Joe is now in a Senior Consultant role with HIGHER DIGITAL (https://higher.digital/). And, today, he’s still on a mission to propel higher ed into the digital age, including by helping advance the State of California’s Community College systems. In this episode, Joe talks about his collaborative efforts with California Community Colleges and how other CIOs can gain the Higher Edge by putting people first. Join us as we discuss: How practical art and technology skills mirror each other (4:30) The California Community College system’s tech renaissance (12:35) From systemwide LMS to systemwide ERP in California (25:19) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Joe Moreau (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmoreau/) - HIGHER DIGITAL (https://higher.digital/) - California Virtual Campus - Online Education Initiative (https://cvc.edu/about-the-oei/) (CVC-OEI) 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 for more information.
35min | Published on January 24, 2023
Innovating the Community College Mission
Higher ed institutions rose to the challenge of accelerating innovation during the pandemic. And schools like Chemeketa Community College (https://www.chemeketa.edu/) in Salem, Oregon, are riding that momentum to give working adults a boost in their career trajectories. Jessica Howard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-howard-463b3866/), President and CEO of Chemeketa, talks about their Bachelor of Applied Sciences program, an offering unique to the community college landscape. With this blend of traditional and polytechnic education, employees can gain the Higher Edge in leadership and management skills. Join us as we discuss: - Higher ed’s potential for post-pandemic innovation (9:26) - Chemeketa’s BAS program and its regional reception (17:42) - A VP’s personal demonstration of a two-year degree’s value (25:40) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Jessica Howard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-howard-463b3866/) - Chemeketa Community College (https://www.chemeketa.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 for more information.
30min | Published on January 17, 2023
Data is the Fulcrum to Pivot 2023 Higher Ed Trends
Predicting the future is never easy. However we can make some educated guesses on what the Higher Education space will see and have to do to stay competitive in 2023. I’m joined today by Lige Hensley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ligehensley/), Founder and CEO of Invoke Learning (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanaldrich/), who helps to peer into the future of 2023 to see how the following will shake out for the industry this year: - Remote and Online’s Evolution Post COVID-19 (5:04) - Using Data in 2023 to see why Every School is Different (20:25) - Is AI a job boosting tool, or a terrifying Terminator (27:35) Is 2023 the year of AI, or is it the year of the remote course? It’s tough to say, but we’ll make sure that a follow-up episode for this comes out later this year to see what we got right and where we missed the mark! Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Brendan Aldrich (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanaldrich/) - Lige Hensley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ligehensley/) - Invoke Learning (https://www.invokelearning.com/) 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 for more information.
35min | Published on January 10, 2023

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