In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Terry Brown, Vice President for Academic Innovation and Transformation at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) discusses the role of provosts in addressing the challenges faced by state colleges and universities. She highlights the importance of academic innovation, student success, and the need for strategic planning in a changing educational landscape. Dr. Brown emphasizes the significance of civic engagement, the future of teacher education, and the role of humanities in higher education. She also shares insights on maintaining affordability while improving student outcomes and the necessity for innovation and collaboration among institutions. Takeaways: • ASCU supports provosts through programming and services. • Provosts must lead with resilience in a VUCA environment. • Collaboration between academic and student affairs is crucial. • The public perception of college is increasingly challenged. • Affordability should be a priority in decision-making.