John Frost: What’s your why—and are you ready to say yes?

John Frost is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing at Doane University with nearly 20 years in higher education across community colleges and private and public universities. We spoke about what it truly means to change lives through learning—and why education is not just for the gifted but for anyone curious enough to start.

Frost believes that “what we do is what politicians, kings and queens promise to do—we change lives each and every day.” His approach goes beyond academics: it’s about helping students connect their personal dreams to real-world impact. From undergraduate to graduate programs and the Open Learning Academy, Frost emphasizes fundamentals, hands-on experience, and early exposure. “We don’t wait until senior year—we start career planning in freshman year,” he says, ensuring that students learn to apply knowledge through internships and community engagement.

He challenges every prospective student with four questions: What is this worth? How will you do it? Are you willing to be a hero? Can you say yes every day? For Frost, success depends on understanding your why. “If you understand your why, then you can figure out the can,” he explains—a mindset that transforms education into both a personal and social mission.

This episode offers a grounded reminder that education is not about status—it’s about commitment, courage, and the willingness to keep saying yes when it’s easier to say no.

Key takeaways

• Education changes lives by connecting personal dreams with real-world action.
• Curiosity matters more than academic or athletic talent.
• Start internships and career planning as early as freshman year.
• Ask yourself four questions: worth, how, hero, yes.
• Understanding your “why” helps you persist when things get hard.
• Higher education is for everyone willing to commit and stay curious.