EdUp Provost

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Michael Lamb discusses the significance of character formation in leadership and education. He emphasizes that character is essential for building trust and relationships, which are fundamental to effective leadership. Dr. Lamb outlines the importance of integrating character education into academic institutions, highlighting various strategies for fostering character development among students. He also addresses the unique needs of diverse student populations, including undergraduates, graduates, and adult learners, and shares insights on measuring the success of character education programs. In this conversation, Michael Lamb discusses the importance of character development in education and leadership. He emphasizes that character is not fixed and can be developed throughout life. Lamb shares strategies for academic leaders, particularly provosts, to cultivate their character and lead by example. He addresses the cynicism surrounding leadership and the need for integrity and authenticity. Looking ahead, he expresses optimism about the future of character formation in higher education, especially in light of recent initiatives and the evolving landscape of education. Takeaways • Leadership is fundamentally relational, requiring trust and integrity. • Character education promotes the flourishing of students. • Exemplars of character can inspire students' development. • The moral ecology of a university shapes students' character. • Character education can enhance academic integrity and success.

In this conversation, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Harvard University's Wendy Fischman and Dr. Howard E. Gardner to discuss the current state of higher education, emphasizing the need for a clear mission and purpose in colleges. They explore the disconnect between student expectations and institutional goals, the importance of fostering intellectual curiosity, and the role of provosts in bridging these gaps. The discussion also touches on the significance of liberal arts education, the challenges of a transactional mindset in education, and the necessity of integrating character and ethical learning into the academic experience. The conversation concludes with book recommendations that reflect the themes of morality and education. Takeaways • Higher education has lost its way and needs to refocus. • Students often view their college experience as transactional. • A clear mission is essential for educational institutions. • Intellectual curiosity should be central to the college experience. • Provosts play a crucial role in defining and communicating the mission

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswalder, Dr. Leo M. Lambert, President Emeritus of Elon University, discusses his transformative leadership journey at Elon, focusing on the importance of institutional culture, strategic planning, and academic rigor. He shares insights on embedding experiential learning, engaging faculty, and aligning campus development with student experiences. Dr. Lambert emphasizes the significance of trust and leadership in overcoming challenges and achieving institutional goals, concluding with a book recommendation that highlights the role of transformative leaders in higher education. Takeaways • Leadership is the stewardship of culture. • Institutional culture is crucial for transformational change. • Strategic planning requires patience and long-term vision. • Engaging faculty in the planning process builds trust. • Trust is built through consistent execution of plans.

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Paula Krebs, Executive Director of the Modern Language Association, discusses the current state of the humanities in American higher education, emphasizing the growth and importance of language programs despite declining majors. She outlines strategies for strengthening these programs, including changing how majors are counted and promoting the value of language and cultural competence. Dr. Krebs also addresses the financial challenges facing humanities programs and advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to enhance student engagement and career readiness. In this conversation, Paula Krebs and Gregor Thuswaldner discuss the importance of maintaining disciplinary integrity within higher education while also fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. They emphasize the need for humanities education to adapt to the changing job market and the importance of preparing students for diverse career paths. The role of organizations like the MLA in shaping the future of humanities education is also highlighted, focusing on the need for clear communication of the value of humanities skills to employers and the necessity of supporting graduate education. Takeaways • The humanities are growing and connecting with other fields. • Enrollments in humanities are steady, but majors are declining. • Changing how we count majors can help humanities programs. • Language proficiency is highly valued by employers. • Interdisciplinary collaboration can enhance humanities education.

In this conversation, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner and Dr. Eboo Patel discuss the critical role of pluralism in higher education, emphasizing its importance in fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment. Dr. Patel outlines the various dimensions of pluralism, including identity, value, and agonistic pluralism, and argues for the necessity of humility in intellectual discourse. He also addresses the challenges of navigating controversial topics on campus, the need for effective crisis management, and the importance of integrating pluralism into the curriculum. Dr. Patel advocates for the establishment of pluralism centers within universities and highlights the essential skills needed for students to engage constructively with ideological and religious diversity. Takeaways • Pluralism should be the defining paradigm of a university. • Universities play a crucial role in fostering identity pluralism. • Intellectual humility is essential for effective pluralism. • Disagreement is inherent in a diverse democracy. • Constructive engagement is key to navigating campus controversies.

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Clifton Conrad and Dr. Todd Lundberg discuss their book “Learning with Others: Collaboration as a Pathway to College Student Success” and the importance of collaborative learning in higher education. They explore the inspiration behind their work, the role of provosts in fostering collaborative environments, and the barriers that institutions face in shifting from individual achievement to collaborative models. The discussion highlights the need for inclusivity, the importance of faculty development, and the necessity of engaging students in real-world problem-solving. Takeaways • Collaborative learning fosters a sense of community among students. • Provosts can lead the shift towards collaborative learning. • Creating spaces for dialogue is essential for collaboration. • Inclusivity in education is crucial for student success. • Real-world problem-solving enhances student engagement.

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.

In this conversation, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner and Dr. James Shulman, VP and COO of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) and author of "The Synthetic University" discuss the pressing challenges facing higher education, particularly the financial pressures and the need for collaboration among institutions. Dr. Shulman emphasizes the importance of provosts in addressing cost issues and fostering a culture of collaboration while navigating the complexities of institutional autonomy. He introduces the concept of the 'synthetic university' as a framework for innovative solutions and collective action in higher education. Dr. Shulman shares insights from his book and highlights successful case studies that demonstrate the potential for collaboration to enhance educational quality and efficiency. Takeaways • The challenge of controlling costs in higher education is significant and multifaceted. • Provosts play a crucial role in managing financial pressures and fostering collaboration. • Redundancies in higher education can be beneficial, but unnecessary duplications should be streamlined. • External partnerships can provide valuable solutions to institutional challenges. • The concept of the 'synthetic university' encourages innovative and collaborative solutions.

In this conversation with EdUp host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Amelia Parnell, president of NASPA, discusses the evolving landscape of student affairs in higher education. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between student affairs and academic affairs, the need to address the diverse and holistic needs of students, and the role of data in enhancing student success. Dr. Parnell also highlights current trends in student affairs and provides insights into how institutions can better support their students. In this conversation, Amelia Parnell discusses the importance of understanding data identity in education, fostering communication for student success, and navigating barriers in higher education. She emphasizes the need for adaptive leadership strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and the future role of NASPA in supporting student affairs. Parnell also highlights the significance of finding joy and humor in the challenges faced in higher education. Takeaways • Collaboration between student and academic affairs is crucial for student success. • Holistic approaches to student needs require data-informed strategies. • Diverse student populations present unique challenges and opportunities. • Effective communication across campus is essential for addressing student needs. • The relationship between student affairs and academic affairs should be collaborative, not competitive.

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Chuck Ambrose and Dr. Mike Nietzel discuss their book 'Colleges on the Brink' and the concept of financial exigency in higher education. They explore the challenges institutions face in maintaining financial health, the importance of monitoring key metrics, and the balance between making tough financial decisions and preserving academic integrity. The discussion emphasizes the need for proactive financial management, engaging faculty in budget processes, and identifying new revenue streams to ensure institutional sustainability. They also share lessons learned from institutions that have successfully navigated financial exigency and provide book recommendations for further reading. Takeaways • Monitoring key financial metrics is essential for provosts. • Balancing financial decisions with academic integrity is challenging. • Engaging faculty in financial discussions is crucial. • Most institutions that declare exigency do not go out of business. • Provosts play a key role in resource allocation and decision-making.