Get Down to College Business

Episoade

• Walsh College: Built for What's Next with Suzy Siegle, EdD, JDD 15.06.2026 28min

  Higher ed is facing a pivotal question: can colleges keep up with the workforce as AI and tech reshape every career?Sarah Holtan, PhD welcomes Suzy Siegle, EdD, JDD to talk straight about what working professionals really need. Spoiler: It's not another generic degree. When jobs are shifting overnight and skills lose their value just as fast, Walsh College listens to industry and adapts, offering stackable AI certificates, flexible programs, and practical ROI.Feel like your career is stuck unless you master the latest disruption? Wondering if online learning really delivers connection and value? Or want to know how colleges can still be relevant for adult learners?Stick around as they break down how Walsh College responds to change, serves real students, and makes education work for working people.Episode Highlights:07:24 - It's always been part of our mission to prepare graduates for successful careers in an education that's rich in theory, but also application and professional practice so that they can hit the ground running.16:33 - So if we didn't prepare them on how to do a Zoom meeting, how to stand, how to sit, how to interact, then they're going to go into their workplace and think, wait a minute, all I know how to do is be in person. And this is not always in person.17:36 - I know to compete in the world, I'm going to need a master's like a Walsh, where you have a great ROI. Or I'm going to need an AI certificate stacked to a Master's. And I want to learn how to learn in the remote environment because I have to collaborate on teams that way anyway at work.26:17 - Higher education is uniquely poised to deliver the learning and the skills that the professions need in the world.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInSuzy Siegle, EdD, JDDLinkedInApply Now at Walsh CollegeProfessional Development Programs
• A Corporate Approach to Strategic Planning Mark Blegen, PhD 09.06.2026 26min

  What if spending years on strategic planning is holding your college back? Sarah Holtan, PhD and Mark Blegen, PhD, President of Linfield University, get candid about why nimble, corporate-inspired strategic plans may be the lifeline small colleges need right now. Forget hundred-page binders. Dr. Blegen shares how focusing on a sharp budget, culture check, and clear priorities powers real change.Most schools compete with lookalike programs and struggle to differentiate. Dr. Blegen's “quick win” plan insists on honest data discussions and measurable results. No more chasing every trend or funding aimless pet projects. Think your institution could handle tough conversations about cutting old programs to focus on what matters most?What’s the secret to building real momentum without watering everything down? Listen in as Dr. Blegen explains his approach to strategic planning that keeps culture and results front and center.Episode Highlights:02:46 - I think a lot of strategic plans fail because the leaders don't understand the culture and what they're stepping into, and they try to do too much too quickly, or we're just not paying attention to where the institution is in terms of culture.07:07 - I don't want this laundry list of priorities that we will gather and we will listen and we will talk and we will hear and we discuss. But at the end of the day, I'm going to take all that information and sit down and name the priorities.12:48 - I was very clear with our community that over the holiday break, I was going to sit down and write the framework to write to sit down and say, here's what I heard, here's what I believe our opportunities are, and here's what I think our priority should be.25:34 - Just listen because you learn so much when you do that and it's really going to inform your process.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInMark Blegen, PhDLinkedInWebsite
• The Cost of No Confidence with Chuck Ambrose, EdD 26.05.2026 27min

  What really happens when college faculty take a no confidence vote in their president? Sarah sits down with Dr. Chuck Ambrose—author, consultant, and former president—to pull back the curtain on the hard and hidden costs of campus leadership crises. If you think it’s all about a president’s payout, think again. Instability sends shockwaves through campus culture, hitting enrollment, fundraising, and even faculty morale in ways most never see coming.Are you wondering how an internal vote can actually change the financial health and student success at your institution? Listen to Dr. Chuck Ambrose explain the true impact of no confidence votes—and what every campus leader needs to know.Episode Highlights:04:00 - At the same time, there are cases where, whether it's moral turpitude or as we used to define it, kind of don't self inflict pain, where leaders as humans make bad decisions and reflect poorly on the institution, cause reputational damage and has generated a no confidence vote.11:59 - You take 15 people on a campus and ask them what shared governance means. Each one of them is going to have a different definition. And we don't teach it. And if we don't teach it, we don't model it. If we don't model it, then how can we say recommit to shared governance if we even have just a hard time defining it?18:36 - There's just no way higher ed can present a sustainable future and continue to offer as many programs and as many majors in the same modalities that we've offered.21:48 - If I were going to do one more, it would certainly be more transparency, everything driven off, especially within the private sector, primarily cash and liquidity so that people really understood and then owned.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInChuck Ambrose, EdDLinkedInBookPodcast
• The Impact of Grade Inflation with Angela Walmsley, PhD 12.05.2026 34min

  Sarah Holtan, PhD sits down with Angela Walmsley, PhD, educational consultant and founder of Interactive College Prep, to ask the uncomfortable question: what does it really mean when almost everyone gets an A? In an era where students arrive at college with sky-high GPAs and even higher expectations, Angela exposes how inflated grades muddle admissions, challenge professors, and create a ripple effect in university support systems.Behind those “perfect” transcripts, are students actually prepared for college-level work? Tune in to find out how grade inflation impacts AP exams, college admissions, and even the way professors approach their jobs.Ever wondered why so many students with straight A's stumble as soon as they hit campus and what’s being done about it? Listen to hear Angela Walmsley reveal what’s happening beneath the surface.Episode Highlights:04:15 - The average GPA in American high schools has risen from 2.6 in 1985 to 3.1 in 2020. In colleges, it’s gone from 2.8 to nearly 3.2. And today, A’s are the most common grade—even at institutions like Harvard, where 60% of grades awarded are now A’s.10:26 - [Angela referenced the National Board. This should be the College Board.] High GPAs often don’t reflect true mastery or college readiness. We’re seeing increasing gaps between classroom grades and standardized test/exam results, fueling confusion in college admissions and creating challenges for first-year students.27:32 - Professors face increasing pressure to give higher grades due to course evaluations and student expectations. Support services on campuses are feeling the ripple effects, with a rising need for remedial courses and tutoring, particularly in math and writing.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInAngela Walmsley, PhDLinkedInWebsite
• Building Academic Programs and Processes for AI with David Schippers 28.04.2026 44min

  What if your college degree became outdated before you even graduated? On this episode, Sarah Holtan, PhD brings Dave Schippers, Sc.D., CISSP to the table to call out the uncomfortable truth: higher education cannot keep up with the breakneck pace of AI.If you think AI is just another gadget for faculty, think again. Dr. Schippers explains how AI is a socio-technological force rethinking everything from how students learn to what skills employers will demand tomorrow.Will universities survive if they cling to old mindsets? What does an AI-literate faculty actually look like and are your professors ready? Tune in for real-world examples, new staffing models, and a few honest wake-up calls.Episode Highlights:09:24 - The groups that I'm working with, a lot of what I'm doing when I bring AI into the classroom is I make them use it in on a cognitive learning level and I also have them interact with it in a way that challenges their beliefs and their perceptions. So it in essence basically makes them self-evaluate their own thoughts on particular subjects12:22 - So because it wasn't a human giving the feedback, they didn't assume that there was an emotional facet to that. So they actually did some self reflection and said, oh, yeah, I guess this is correct.17:24 - The sooner we realize that this is potentially can happen, the more we're going to look to go, well, how can we stay ahead of it? How can we figure out how to leverage it in ways that are beneficial both to us so us being our institution and to the students that we serve?28:44 - I think higher ed needs to stop looking at what is needed now. And I think they need to start partnering with what does the market anticipate their needs within the next six to 12 months.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInDavid Schipper, Sc.D., CISSPLinkedInBookWebsite
• The ROI of a Strong Campus Master Plan with Lora Strigens 14.04.2026 39min

  Get ready to be inspired by Lora Strigens, Vice-President for Planning and Facilities and University Architect at Marquette University, as she shares her expertise in leading over $300 million in capital projects in under a decade. Discover how campus planning at Marquette University follows a strategic approach, encompassing broad themes to ensure the best outcomes for stakeholders.Lora emphasizes the importance of engaging with both on-campus and external stakeholders, asking thoughtful questions to enable their impactful contributions. Explore the unique challenges and benefits of being an urban institution, from community connections to ensuring student safety. Learn the art of balancing multiple priorities with limited funds and executing integrated planning within set timelines.Find out about the key components of successful investment in new or renovated facilities as Lora sheds light on measuring success using both qualitative and quantitative metrics. Get insights on building a culture of strategic planning and execution of big ideas to ensure the viability and success of educational institutions. Listen to the episode and be inspired to transform campus planning and create thriving educational environments!Episode Highlights:03:59 - Master planning is how do you engage people in a meaningful way, and so I think that beginning part where you're identifying the key stakeholders and you're bringing them into the fold and thinking about not just what general questions we can ask, but what are the questions that we can ask where people can feel like they're really having an impact? And then as we move forward with the planning process, how can you reflect back what you've heard from those people and share how their input and their experiences have actually made a difference, and how the plan manifests itself.12:35 - I think that thoughtful planning that's continuous and integrated where it takes into account what are the academic growth goals and research growth goals, where are we at from an operation standpoint, talking closely with facilities, IT security to understand where are those pain points and where are the investments required there, as well as working with our advancement team who handles our fundraising and donor engagement, to understand what's that landscape looking like, and using all of those points to help inform how we might move things forward.28:10 - The biggest challenge is probably, like you said, it's getting your head around all of the different aspects you need to be thinking about as you're approaching planning, whether that's the strategic plan or the master plan, and not being overwhelmed by that to a point that you get into a paralysis that you're not making decisions or you're not able to move things forward.Contact Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInWebsiteLora StrigensLinkedInWebsite
• The Cost of Shared Governance with Brian Rosenberg, PhD 24.03.2026 37min

  Sarah Holtan, PhD explores the complexities of college leadership with Brian Rosenberg, PhD, Visiting Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education, focusing on the pressures modern college presidents face. They discuss the need for transparent, honest, and authentic communication, especially in times of social media outrage.Brian discusses the value of a clear mission and student-centric decision-making, while also challenging traditional tenure models. The conversation wraps with strategies for more inclusive shared governance and ways to stay calm and effective amidst chaos.Episode Highlights:03:19 - It's important to note that that model, even in its original document, is contingent upon an assumption that all parties will essentially be rolling in the same direction. All parties will have the good of the institution at the front of their mind and at least a general shared understanding of what that good is.09:27 - The poor Chair of our Faculty Personnel Committee had to go out and just sometimes beg his colleagues to run for election because nobody wanted to make the time commitment.12:11 - If I had to identify one group that is probably the most overlooked in shared governance, it would be Student Affairs staff. And it's ironic in the fact that students spend most of their time out of class and some of the most difficult work out on the20:09 - One of the one of the problems that tenure has created is a dramatically inequitable system, within faculty teaching. So you have on one side of the divide tenured faculty, who generally have a lot of security. Depending upon the nature of the institution, they could be pretty well compensated and have a lot of autonomy and control. On the other side of the divide, you have non-tenure track or NTT faculty. They are often very poorly compensated, have no security at all, and have no voice in the say of the institution. For me, a more effective and equitable system would be to hire people, as is done in just about every other field, with multiyear contracts, with an established schedule of reviews, and the possibility for those contracts to be renewed and extended and maybe even lengthened.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInWebsiteBrian Rosenberg, PhDLinkedInBookSupport the Woman of Impact Campaign
• Every Square Foot has a Strategy with Chris Morett, PhD, MPP 10.03.2026 28min

  Most colleges are sitting on a treasure or a time bomb when it comes to their campus facilities. Everyone wants the best buildings to attract students and faculty, but what if chasing shiny new construction is actually harming your institution’s future?Sarah Holtan, PhD talks to Chris Morett, PhD, MPP, the President at Co|Here Campus and Workplace, who pulls back the curtain and says it straight: space isn’t just an asset, it’s a strategic tool and most schools are getting it wrong.Campus leaders are struggling to balance the pressure for modern spaces, deferred maintenance, and tight budgets. What if the real key to enrollment and financial health isn’t building, but how you use what you already have? Dr. Morret shares the hard truths and quick wins that every decision-maker needs now.Curious how you can avoid multimillion-dollar mistakes and actually get a return on your facilities? Listen in for real strategies to turn your space into a competitive advantage.Episode Highlights:04:45 - So coming at it from the activity perspective is kind of the bottom line. And it helps to get out of thinking of things just as four walls spaces, which need to be taken care of.06:28 - I think also you see a serious interest, and I'm not saying it's always enacted or followed up on, it doesn't always appear in governance, but real interest and embrace of the fact that education is different now, whether it's more online courses, not just students who are from afar, but students who are either residential or commuters who maybe take 3 classes a year that are hybrid or online in addition to 7 in person. So it's really a mix now. It's not just this: "Oh, we have an online division."18:34 - I think to say that 10% or 15% of our courses could be hybrid is far from the most activist decision ever made by a university administration. So you do that, and then if 15% of your courses all of a sudden meet one day a week instead of two, well, that's a lot of classroom space you just saved.24:09 - Our goal for this building should be for it to be a tour, a stop on the campus tour. So, hey, we all do it. Whether it's putting on a nice shirt from the neck up for a Zoom call, or hiding something in the bedroom when your house is messy and you have guests, like, if you do that with intention, what's the alternative?Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInChris Morett, PhD, MPPLinkedInWebsiteWorkshop on "Planning & Evaluating One-Stop Student Services Centers: Space, Tech, Personnel."EdUp Campus PlanningSupport the Woman of Impact Campaign
• Building Meaningful Community Connections with Jessie Cannizzaro 24.02.2026 17min

  Sarah Holtan, PhD, talks with Jessie Cannizzaro, owner of Milestone Plumbing, about the true meaning of community and how businesses can teach colleges to connect with their neighbors in ways that matter. If you’ve ever wondered why universities struggle to partner with local businesses, Jessie’s experiences might change your mind about what community really is.Jessie shares how her business balances profit, passion, and service, revealing why even a small gesture—like collecting pop tabs—can spark huge impact. You’ll hear how employees’ personal “why” drives engagement, and why listening beats boardroom strategy every single time.Want to know why the secret to better town-gown relations starts with getting out of the boardroom and into the neighborhood? Tune in and learn from Jessie Cannizzaro’s candid insights on making business and social impact one genuine connection at a time.Episode Highlights:04:55 - It's one singular community. It's not just this local area, it's the associations and the things that we're involved in at the state level, at the regional level, now at the national level, because it's one community that's doing collaborative efforts for a greater good.09:08 - I lay them out in advance, which can sometimes be frustrating when people want a quick meeting, you know, oh, I wanna show you this demo on something that I probably don't need, and they get irritated that I can't make that time. But it's not that I'm saying no, always I'm always trying to be rude, but more importantly, I've committed to things. My schedule fills up quickly, so I think the time management is probably the most important part.10:55 - We're very transparent, so they know if we're getting involved in an initiative, they know well in advance and have the ability to come along with during the planning stage, which I think is really important.14:52 - I think sometimes it's easy from like a boardroom to try to make decisions, but if you don't know the people, you don't know what's going to matter to them.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInJessie CannizzaroSupport the Woman of Impact CampaignLinkedInWebsiteMilestone PlumbingResourcesLocus: Take Control and Change the Direction of Your LifeThe THRIVE Journal: A Step-by-Step Guide to Help You Create and Accomplish Your GoalsChief Energy Officer: the #newCEO: How high-performing leaders manage people, pressure, and profit to build thriving organizationsQuantum Lead: How Visionary Leaders harness a hidden energy to create massive breakthroughs, accelerate growth and transform organizationsHigh-Performance Leadership: Success Strategies to Grow Yourself and Your Organization (2025),Vision to Business: A No-Nonsense Blueprint to Help You Turn Ideas into IncomeThe Mission Mover: Laser Focus Your Time and Energy to Build a Mission that Lasts!
• The Great AI Debate: Embrace AI to What Extent? with Suzy Siegle and Melik Peter Khoury 10.02.2026 48min

  Sarah Holtan, PhD brings together campus leaders who don’t just talk about AI—they’re reshaping the way universities operate. In this episode, Melik Peter Khoury, DBA, CEO and President of Unity Environmental University, and Suzy Siegle, EdD, JD, CEO and President of Walsh College, go beyond the tired “ban vs. embrace” debates. They unpack how progressive campuses are integrating AI not as a bolt-on tool, but as a transformative force across the institution, from grading and advising to student support and academic integrity.Suzy shares Walsh College’s approach to ethical AI use, digital twins, and practical policies, while Melik reveals why assessment, curriculum design, and even the future of work are all being reimagined for an AI-enabled campus. Discover how faculty and staff become more valuable and fulfilled when AI boosts their productivity and impact and why students must learn to think with AI, not cheat with it.Is AI fluency the survival skill colleges need most? Hear Suzy Siegle and Melik Peter Khoury challenge old models and lay out what’s next for higher education. If you’re ready to move past skepticism and start building the future, this conversation will show you where to begin.Episode Highlights:08:54 – Melik Peter Khoury: There is a combination here of training, but there’s also this idea that how we assess learning is going to have to fundamentally change in an environment where historically we have always been the curators and generators of knowledge.14:08 – Suzy Siegle: We’re not just teaching it, we’re integrating [AI] into how we learn with the avatar through the company that we have equity in and that works with us on campus to do ed tech constrained AI.27:14 – Melik Peter Khoury: If we want to freeze tuition while ensuring that our employees are ahead of the curve with inflation, innovation is the only way to go. Scale is the only way to go. So it creates a whole new mindset for our employees about how AI is not being used to cheat or time steal, but to increase the value of my position.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInSuzy Siegle, EdD, JDLinkedInWebsiteMelik Peter Khoury, DBALinkedInWebsiteSupport the Woman of Impact CampaignResourcesLocus: Take Control and Change the Direction of Your LifeThe THRIVE Journal: A Step-by-Step Guide to Help You Create and Accomplish Your GoalsChief Energy Officer: the #newCEO: How high-performing leaders manage people, pressure, and profit to build thriving organizationsQuantum Lead: How Visionary Leaders harness a hidden energy to create massive breakthroughs, accelerate growth and transform organizationsHigh-Performance Leadership: Success Strategies to Grow Yourself and Your Organization (2025),Vision to Business: A No-Nonsense Blueprint to Help You Turn Ideas into IncomeThe Mission Mover: Laser Focus Your Time and Energy to Build a Mission that Lasts!
• How Provosts Shape Financial Decisions with Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner 27.01.2026 36min

  Money matters in higher ed, but who really shapes the financial reality on campus? Sarah Holtan, PhD sits down with the Vice President for Academic Affairs at La Roche University, Gregor Thuswaldner, PhD for a straight talk on what it takes to keep college doors open, and why academic leaders can’t ignore the numbers anymore.Most believe CFOs hold the purse strings, but Dr. Thuswaldner argues that provosts who focus only on academics risk being sidelined. From forming “no scapegoat” alliances to getting smart about program cuts and new revenue streams, every decision can either build trust or leave the institution vulnerable.What happens to campus morale and academic influence when tough choices get passed off to the finance office? Listen in as Dr. Thuswaldner shares his honest strategies for keeping both the mission and the spreadsheet strong.Episode Highlights:10:08 – “If the relationship between the provost and CFO is strained, everyone will know. It erodes trust—and campus culture pays the price.”14:02 – “Owning tough decisions, not scapegoating finance, is essential. The alternative? Marginalization.”24:00 – “Program viability isn’t just about the numbers. Faculty have to help reimagine what survival looks like, or risk losing it all.”Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInGregor Thuswaldner, PhDLinkedInBook
• Save 30% by Uncovering a Blind Spot with Anamika Wadhawan 13.01.2026 27min

  You work hard to keep your college running, but what if you’re losing money every month without realizing it? Sarah Holtan, PhD sits down with Anamika Wadhawan, Senior VP of Sales at SIB, to shine a light on “spend drift” and invoice anomalies—those sneaky charges and contract errors that slowly eat away at your budget. Fixing your finances isn’t just about slashing resources; it’s about catching the errors and inefficiencies hidden in plain sight.Are you sure your institution isn’t leaving thousands—or even millions—on the table just because of outdated contracts or unnoticed overcharges? Listen in for proven strategies and practical questions every college CFO should be asking right now.This episode features Anamika Wadhawan, SIB’s SVP of Sales, and goes straight to the heart of saving smarter, not harder, in higher ed procurement. Episode Highlights:04:16 - If you think of just a basic invoice, you might have one thing that doesn't look right, but when you're looking at it month over month, and when these kinds of anomalies start repeating and happen across an entire portfolio spend for an organization, across invoices and in vendors and across time, it really compounds, and adds up to very meaningful operational and financial impacts for our clients.08:45 - We're consistently finding big savings opportunities. And when we think about how, to your point or to your question, we're looking at things like contract and pricing compliance. So are the two lining up? Do we even need to right size or correct the contract? Because in a 10 or 15, even 5-year period, a lot has changed and there might be different needs and different ways to actually right size that contract.15:57 - I truly believe and come from a world where an organization's most valuable assets is its data and information, and really making sure that whatever we're doing when we're working with these, even you mentioned earlier outsourcing, that we're not letting our data be used to train another software solution or be used for another outside purpose.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInAnamika WadhawanLinkedInWebsite
• Financial Stress Signals You Can't Ignore with Daniel Greenstein 09.12.2025 33min

  Sarah Holtan, PHD sits down with Daniel Greenstein, PhD, Managing Director at Baker Tilly US, for a blunt conversation about the hidden financial risks many colleges are ignoring. Greenstein, a leader in higher education consulting and former Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, reveals why traditional financial metrics don't paint the full picture of an institution's health.Greenstein breaks down nine "risk archetypes"—structural patterns that quietly erode long-term institutional stability—and exposes three accelerators that intensify vulnerability. On the positive side, he shares three indicators of resilience, offering strategies for institutions to weather future headwinds. This chat is a must for anyone in higher ed tired of wishful thinking and eager for practical advice on identifying and addressing financial stress before it's too late.Are colleges failing to look beyond basic balance sheets and missing the early warnings of fiscal distress? Listen in as Greenstein reveals why a deeper dive into financial health is crucial for navigating higher education's toughest challenges.Episode Highlights04:33 - People will do anything to balance their budgets. So I started to become more familiar with what I call the adjusted operating margin, where you back out investment income and other income, which is all the stuff that people are throwing into their revenue sources to pay their bills.07:05 - We ended up taking six of our schools and turning them into two, integrating them again. Those are the deepest kind of cuts in expenditure. We ended up rationalizing where we could, the academic program rate because it was too broad. I mean, we had to do things at speed that universities are not accustomed to doing.13:09 - The leverage led bet is basically debt based. So you see debt going up that the revenue margin shifting, and it's built on this expectation that you're going to see revenue growth as a consequence.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInDaniel Greenstein, PhDLinkedInRisk Archetypes Seeing Financial Stress Before It Hits 
• Should You Blow Up Your Budget Model? with David Rosowsky, PhD 25.11.2025 33min

  Sarah Holtan, PhD, sits down with Dr. David Rosowsky PHD, Chief optimism officer, connector, collider, university senior leader, and author, for a masterclass in a subject that makes most academics run for the hills: the university budget model. In this blunt and refreshingly clear conversation, Dr. Rosowsky—sometimes called the "Ted Lasso of higher ed"—cuts through the jargon and political noise to reveal why so many institutions get budget model transitions dangerously wrong.Dr. Rosowsky breaks down the critical difference between a university’s budget (the amount of money available) and its budget model (the rules for allocating that money). He explains the spectrum of models, from highly centralized systems to the more transparent Responsibility Centered Management (RCM), and clarifies that the “best” model depends on an institution's unique culture and strategic goals.The conversation offers crucial guidance on the why, when, and how of changing a budget model, stressing that the best time for change is during periods of stability, not crisis. Dr. Rosowsky also discusses the right level of faculty engagement and identifies deans and department heads as the key drivers of a successful budget system. This is a must-listen for leader looking to align financial strategy with institutional mission. Episode Highlights:05:24  -  What they sort of assume is that if we fix the budget model, we somehow fix the budget, or we somehow create new revenue or new money, so that conflation happens all the time. The budget model is not the budget.12:01 -  The decision to change the budget model is made at the wrong time, right? It's made when campuses feel there's a crisis present or a crisis looming.22:58 - Why are we doing this? What are the outcomes we hope to achieve? What are the fears or concerns or worries or anxieties we might have that we can track and monitor? 26:56 - The levers that can be pulled. Those are being pulled by department chairs and by deans. Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInDavid Rosowsky, PhDLinkedInWhat’s the Best Budget Model for Our Institution?
• Game Over? What Colleges Need to Know about Sportscasting's Future 11.11.2025 39min

  In this episode, Sarah Holtan, PhD is joined by her old friend, veteran NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Casey, for a candid look at the evolving world of sportscasting. Trenni traces her 25-year career path, offering critical insights for today's aspiring journalists, academic leaders, and athletic directors.They discuss the essential skills for success in the modern media landscape. While foundational traits like curiosity and authenticity are timeless, the industry now demands multifaceted content creators who can shoot, edit, and engage across all social platforms. Trenni provides a crucial reality check on the industry’s financial shifts, including lower salaries and the return of the "one-person-band" journalist.The conversation explores future trends, from the impact of AI on broadcasting (like an AI Al Michaels) to growth areas in women’s sports and analytics. Trenni also delivers pointed advice for athletic departments: media train your athletes and coaches to protect both them and your brand. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a career in modern media.Episode Highlights:11:14 - I think you have to be. More multifaceted now than you ever were before. You cannot just be a sideline reporter. You cannot just be an anchor. You cannot just be a writer for a newspaper or a website. You have to be able to do all of it, and you don't need to be the best at every facet of it, but you need to be pretty good at all of them. 30:11 - There was a wrap-up every night on Peacock that was voiced by Al Michaels, except it wasn't Al Michaels; it was AI Al Michaels. So they paid Al Michaels for the licensing to his voice.34:18 - It blows my mind that every single, teen, college, whatever, does not have a media coach on retainer.37:55 - Stop building $30 million student centers that have like state-of-the-art cold plunges and give that money to kids.  Sarah Holtan, PhDWebsiteLinkedInTrenni CaseyLinkedInNBC Arbella Early Edition With Trenni   
• How to Make Your College Podcast Cool with Dave Jackson 28.10.2025 34min

  Sarah Holtan, PhD welcomes the Founder of School of Podcasting, Dave Jackson, for a reality check on campus podcasting. Colleges are rushing to launch podcasts, but does every institution actually need one or know how to make theirs stand out? With higher ed under pressure to connect, retain, and recruit, Dave peels back the curtain on what really makes a college podcast worth listening to and worth producing. If you think just starting a show will solve your engagement woes, you might be burning time and budget for nothing.Wondering why some university shows flourish while others fade fast and how to avoid podcast purgatory? This episode spills the secrets seasoned creators use to balance brand, authenticity, and campus goals.Episode Highlights05:40 - They said, close your eyes, and as vividly as you can picture yourself walking to the front desk and turning in your test and going over and grabbing the door handle and leaving and walking out. Because I said, the minute I get outside of the classroom, it all comes back. And they said, well, just visualize it.08:34 - When somebody is passionate about the subject that comes through. I always talk about how it's not the tech a lot. I mean, a lot of podcasters, boy, we just love to look at microphones and software and things like that and why you need a decent microphone. It's just not something I cover on my show because it's not my passion. I'm like, pick a microphone.12:21 - One of the best compliments I've ever received is somebody said I was talking to them in an event and they're like, wow, you're just like you when you are on the mic.27:14 - I know we're all worried that if I say the wrong thing, I'm going to get canceled and things like that. And I always tell people there is a name for those people. It's called not your target audience.Sarah Holtan, PhDWebsiteLinkedInDave JacksonLinkedInWebsite   
• International Student Decline Hits Our Bottom Line with Tom Dretler 14.10.2025 30min

  Did you know a 20% drop in international students could wipe out nearly $2 billion in college tuition in just a year? The financial pain universities are feeling right now isn’t just about bottom lines, it's about fewer programs, job losses on campus and in local communities, and a shrinking workforce for the future. In this episode, Tom Dretler, CEO and co-founder of Shorelight Education, breaks down exactly what this revenue cliff means and why colleges can't afford to keep waiting for old models to work.Can universities reinvent themselves fast enough to protect students, faculty, and towns when international enrollments plummet? Find out what Tom recommends for leaders facing their toughest year yet.Featuring Tom Dretler, CEO of Shorelight Education, on the true impact of plummeting international enrollments, and the urgent strategies colleges need now.Episode Highlights03:51 - We have a $56 billion services trade surplus in higher education, which makes up, believe it or not, 20% of the entire US economy's services trade surplus.10:12 - International students do subsidize domestic students. So in the short term going to see canceled programs, we're going to see staff reductions, we're going to see less programmatic offerings, we'll probably see rising tuition prices, and we're going to see universities, as I mentioned, starting to look at one, can they be successful with international students going forward? Is there a new normal? And let's just adapt to the new normal.20:54 - We're so domestic. But anyway, bright spots there are, you know, the cliche being that whenever there's massive change that there are always opportunities for innovation.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInTom DretlerLinkedInWebsiteThe Impact of a 20% Decline in International Students
• Streamline Your Small College with Gary Daynes, PhD 23.09.2025 37min

  Sarah Holtan, PhD sits down with Gary Daynes, PhD, the Founder and Principal, Back Porch Consulting and Interim President Salem Academy and College, for a blunt conversation about why most small schools are making strategic mistakes, and what they can do about it. This chat is a must for anyone working in higher ed who’s tired of wishful thinking and wants practical advice on how to future-proof their institution.Gary explains why wearing too many hats isn’t just exhausting but often a symptom of bigger strategic problems. He calls out the damaging habits of building plans on imaginary growth, and shares the overlooked power of focus: it’s not just about efficiency but about creating a mission that actually matters to students, staff, and the broader community. If you’ve ever wondered whether your school’s “unique” value is just a buzzword, this is your episode.Are colleges shooting themselves in the foot with unfocused missions and bloated org charts? Listen in to hear Gary’s straight talk on what truly moves the needle at small colleges.Episode Highlights:12:30 - In the growth period, many schools added professional master's degrees. And so their net tuition revenue was growing in part because they had an MBA that had 100 students, or they had added an MFA or something like that that had strong local attraction that generated a lot of revenue.22:21 - Athletics is an area where schools who do athletics well are learning to support students in the ways that students most need to be supported.24:07 - If you have a school with 1,000 students and you have 75 English majors, you better damn well figure out what's going on with your English program, because that is remarkable. And you need to preserve the strength of that program and duplicate the duplicatable things elsewhere in order to ensure that other programs are strong in that sort of way.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInGary Daynes, PhDLinkedInWebsiteBook
• Can New Presidents Save Financially-Distressed Colleges? with Robert Kelchen 09.09.2025 22min

  Sarah Holtan sits down with Dr. Robert Kelchen, Professor of Higher Education at University of Tennessee - Knoxville, to ask the hard question: can a new college president truly turn around a university’s finances? If you’ve ever wondered why some presidents seem to steady the ship while others are just along for the ride, this is an episode you can’t miss.Most people think hiring a new leader is a silver bullet, but Robert uncovers why financial miracles rarely happen overnight—especially at public universities. He reveals how private colleges, without state funding, are forced to make tough, often painful choices about staff and programs just to keep the lights on.What are colleges getting right (and wrong) when they hire new leaders, and what can faculty and staff really do to survive the shake-up? Listen and learn from a leading higher ed finance expert.Episode Highlights:03:37 - At public universities, they're dealing with the state, dealing with governors, lawmakers, higher education boards, and that limits their ability to make changes as quickly.05:46 - It's not reasonable for the first couple of years, but it's also something that is coming up in more job postings for presidents. So even if it's not realistic to expect it, institutions are expecting it.13:10 - These are positions that they're emotionally draining and the expectations are often not realistic. And that's why you see both presidential salaries going up to basically get people to do the job, and also the tenure going down.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInRobert KelchenLinkedinCan New Presidents Improve Colleges’ Financial Health?
• Managing Emotional Responses to Financial Aid with Mark Mitchell 26.08.2025 40min

  Paying for college stirs up way more than just number crunching—it’s a raw experience laden with stress, overwhelm, and uncertainty. In today’s episode, Sarah Holtan, PhD, sits down with Mark Mitchell, Vice President of Access and Affordability of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), to cut through the facts and talk about the very real feelings families face when tuition bills are due. Mark reveals what’s changed in the financial aid landscape and why the pressure is only getting heavier for families—and what colleges can actually do about it. If anxiety, confusion, and those unexpected extra costs sound all too familiar, what simple tweaks could make college feel like a better investment? Don’t you want to hear what most colleges are missing when trying to ease the burden for students and their families? Mark Mitchell breaks it all down—emotion, process, and practical solutions—in this eye-opening conversation.Episode Highlights04:05 - It was the first time since we've done this survey that stress topped the list of emotions.09:56 - If more families are working more to make the tuition work, it's easy to imagine like the added stress that that brings with it.14:39 - It's more about how to make sure that that stress doesn't make them stop doing what they need to be doing for their child.37:05 - If somebody's struggling with something, just ask them. Get a group of families together and say, hey, what's wrong with this process? How can we make it better? What are you struggling with?Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInMark MitchellLinkedinWebsite