A Higher Education

Kara Martin and Mark Muha

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EDUCATION
UPDATED MONTHLY

A podcast for student development and higher education professionals examining the intersection of the Christian faith and the student development profession. A product of the Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD).

JAN 22

Mark Muha on Collaborating with Faculty

Positive and mutually beneficial relationships between faculty and staff are essential to the mission of Christian colleges. We say we want to form and develop the whole student, and that type of holistic support is most effective when communication between curricular and co-curricular groups. But how do we arrive at that level of collaboration? Dr. Mark Muha's expertise in this area is featured in the January episode. He talks about his research on the factors that predict faculty and staff collaboration and how to apply this knowledge to improve your collaboration efforts this semester. Chapters: 0:00 Dated mid-season update of the Lions and Eagles 2:30 Introduction of guest (it's Mark) 8:42 Mark's professional background 14:38 Lead-up to Mark's dissertation topic 18:16 Starting presumptions about how collaboration works 22:10 Study outcomes - what predicts collaboration? 28:50 Practical outcomes 38:50 Adapting relational coordination theory to your context 46:20 How to start improving your collaboration this month Discover Mark's Work: Mark's ACSD Growth Journal Article: Pursuing Campus Collaboration That Works: Assessing the Impact of Relational Leadership and Work Engagement on Relational Coordination between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs in Christian Higher Education

54 min
2025-12-03

Jarad Russell on the Racial Attitudes of White Students

Our guest this month wrote his doctoral dissertation around the year 2020, when our country engaged in a nationwide conversation about race and racism. While the social and political contexts are different from five years ago, Dr. Jarad Russell's research on the racial attitudes of white students remains relevant to our work today. Join us as we learn about three primary ways that white students think about race and how that can inform our work in student development. 0:00 Mark and Kara's latest fitness pursuits 6:20 Guest bio (plus an ACSD Retreat plug) 12:07 Speed round 16:11 Background of Jarad's research area 22:20 Categories of racial attitudes 30:42 Violence and hate crime trends 36:50 Talking about race with mentors vs peers 39:28 How does your research apply to our listeners? 47:40 Resources for further learning Jarad's The Racial Attitudes of White Students at a Christian Institution in ACSD Growth Jemar Tisby's website Whistling Vivaldi: And Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us by Claude M. Steele So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo Faithful Antiracism by Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum

57 min
2025-11-03

Gerald Longjohn on Title IX as Restorative Justice Work

Initiated by the first "Dear Colleague" letter, what we now know as Title IX work, or the prevention of and response to sexual assault and sexual harassment, is both incredibly challenging and deeply good. Our guest was a VP for Student Development at the time of that first Dear Colleague letter. He describes the ways the work has changed since 2011, the value of campus prevention efforts, the importance of staff training, and the opportunity for restorative justice that Title IX represents. Episode notes include links to books discussed throughout the conversation. Chapters: 0:00 Kara's dissertation update 3:55 Guest bio8:36 Speed round 13:20 Gerald's background in Title IX 16:20 Important Title IX landmarks since 2011 19:55 Increasing prevention vs perfecting process 28:40 Advice for young professionals 36:30 Burnout in Title IX 40:30 Institutional support for federal compliance initiatives 47:00 Where to learn more Episode notes: Sexual Citizens by Jennifer S. Hirsch and Shamus Khan Sex and the Soul by Donna Freitas

53 min
2025-10-01

A President's Perspective on the Financial State of Higher Ed with Dr. Scott Moats

Have you ever been asked why college costs so much? Have you ever wondered about it yourself? In this month's episode, we ask Dr. Scott Moats, President of Anderson University in Indiana, this question. Beyond the costs to students, we also discuss how to be a better steward of your own budget, and how to identify and address mission drift within your Christian institution. EPISODE CHAPTERS 0:00 ACSD Conference recap 3:50 Dr. Scott Moats' introduction 10:15 Speed round questions 14:22 Why does college cost so much? 28:50 Growth Journal Promo 30:30 Being better stewards of our budgets 37:57 Scott's leadership at Anderson 54:57 Addressing mission drift 1:05:40 Advice for young professionals to learn more about institutional finances LEARN MORE Why College Costs So Much by Robert B. Archibald and David H. Feldman

1h 15m
2025-09-01

How to Be Shaped by Hobbies

As much as we love our jobs, hobbies are crucial to a well-rounded life. In this month's episode, Mark and Kara explore the theories around why hobbies are so important while simultaneously sharing some recent hobbies of their own. Tell us in the comments what hobbies are giving you life this fall!

32 min
2025-08-01

How to Be Shaped by People

It's August! If you're in Student Life, you're likely shifting into a high work gear you'll be asked to maintain for several weeks through the start of your semester. This month, we're offering a 30-minute break in your day to reflect on the people who have shaped your career. This conversational deep-dive weaves together social theories and Mark and Kara's personal lives, with the hopeful end result being renewed inspiration and gratitude for the job you get to do.

30 min
2025-06-01

A President's Perspective with Dr. Barry Corey and Dr. Robin Baker

This month we sat down with two university presidents and spent some time diving into their roles and how they support the work of student development. Dr. Robin Baker (George Fox University) and Dr. Barry Corey (Biola University) are legends in the field of Christian higher education and this hour+ conversation is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and the reflections of two friends and leaders that we know you'll enjoy. Kara and Mark get the benefit of working on their campuses each day and are excited to share this episode with you! CHAPTERS 0:00 - introducing our guests 7:15 - speed round, feat. feats of strength 12:42 - the journey to the presidency 23:19 - a tale of two friends 32:10 - the complexities of the presidential role 42:58 - advice to the younger professionals 55:30 - the president’s role in developing campus culture 1:08:40 - final reflections and encouragement

1h 15m
2025-05-01

Sharra Hynes on Seeing the Potential in Students

Today's episode is with Dr. Sharra Hynes, newly minted VP for Student Life at Baylor University, and we had a wonderful conversation that ranged from discussion student conduct to the differences (and similarities) to be found working in the many kinds of university contexts there are. As Dr. Hynes steps into the studio with us, you'll be encouraged by her wisdom and encouragement for the good work of student you do on your own campus. CHAPTERS 0:49 - in which Kara takes her comprehensive exams 3:30 - meet Dr. Sharra Hynes! 5:28 - our “not so fast speed round” 14:03 - Sharra’s higher ed journey 21:46 - a key “yes” for Sharra that has led to today 31:23 - a unique philosophy on student conduct 37:17 - lessons learned across all types of universities 42:04 - a word for the women sharra_hynes@baylor.edu

49 min

See All (38)

Creator

Kara Martin and Mark Muha
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

38
Rating

Clean
Show Website

A Higher Education

A Higher Education

Episodes

Mark Muha on Collaborating with Faculty

Jarad Russell on the Racial Attitudes of White Students

Gerald Longjohn on Title IX as Restorative Justice Work

A President's Perspective on the Financial State of Higher Ed with Dr. Scott Moats

How to Be Shaped by Hobbies

How to Be Shaped by People

A President's Perspective with Dr. Barry Corey and Dr. Robin Baker

Sharra Hynes on Seeing the Potential in Students

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