Get Down to College Business

Sarah Holtan, PhD
  • 5.0 (10)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Get Down to College Business

Welcome to Get Down to College Business. We will identify strategies that could make the difference between keeping university doors open and closing them for good. I'm pulling in business experts and higher ed leaders to debate the merits of strategies that could save the future of higher ed. You will leave feeling empowered with new ideas to reimagine how you approach the business of college to support the cause of the affordable college experience. Visit us at highlevelleadership.com, read our blog and join our email list to get connected. Follow us and leave a positive review on your favorite podcast app. I'm your host, Sarah Holtan, PhD. Let's Get Down to College Business.

  1. NOV 12

    Applying a CEO Skill Set to College Leadership with Tim Sullivan

    Sarah Holtan engages Tim Sullivan, Business Leader and Dean of the Sullivan School of Business and Technology at Carroll University, in a discussion about the potential of business strategies in revitalizing struggling universities. With a background spanning academia and executive roles, Tim brings a rare perspective that challenges the traditional educational frameworks hampering rapid change. Tim spotlights the pressing issue of legacy governance structures, stressing how shared decision-making often slows necessary innovations. He offers a powerful comparison of academia to state governments where progress is equally tedious. But can the private sector's agility rescue colleges? Tim wholeheartedly believes so, shedding light on how financial incentives and market-aligned curriculums could be the key. Are you curious about whether business models can revamp our educational systems for the better? Listen in to discover Tim Sullivan’s groundbreaking take on this transformation. Episode Highlights 03:17 - I think the thing that surprised me the most about any higher education institution is the governance that's in place is very challenging. Its legacy. It's been there for a long time. And I think that until such time that some universities can really seriously take a look at their legacy governance and make some changes to it, it's going to be difficult to effect change. 25:23 - I need someone that can actually go into a board meeting and present how we're going to change this company, how we're going to move this company. And they can't do that unless they understand the basic business types of aspects of what they have and have communication skills. 32:16 - If you're transparent and you move the decision-making down the tree, down to the people that are working on it every single day, it can be done. It's an incredibly powerful model. Sarah Holtan, PhD LinkedIn Website  Tim Sullivan Website

    44 min

  2. OCT 22

    The ROI of Technical and Trades Degrees with Jessie Cannizzaro

    Ever feel like you’re swimming against the tide of conventional career advice? If so, this episode is tailored for you. Many people still underestimate how rewarding and viable careers in the trades can be, even though they often lead to high salaries and job security without the burden of student debt. Join Sarah Holtan as she sits down with Jessie Cannizzaro, master plumber and president of Milestone Plumbing, to break down the stigmas and reveal the true potential of trade careers. Jessie explains how trades offer structured advancement opportunities—from journeyman to master levels—while focusing on hands-on learning that suits kinesthetic learners better than traditional education often does. How can a career in trades provide not only stability but also avenues for growth in management and beyond? Curious about how integrating trades education early can set students up for lifelong success? Tune in to hear Jessie Cannizzaro lay it all out, from her admiration for her mother's pioneering role to her advocacy for trades education reform. Episode Highlights 13:17 - One thing that I have reframed when I go into schools to talk to students about the plumbing trade, I do not lead with it is a 5-year apprenticeship and it took me a while to figure out that that will freak a 16-year-old out because 5 years sounds like an eternity to them. 19:41 - We have a shower head display that I literally will go into a classroom every single year for career day and we let the kids take the trim off, pull the cartridge out, explain what the cartridge does, and how it can fix a leaky faucet at home and then put it back together and assemble it. And seeing their faces light up when they're using the tools, I love especially seeing the little girls, and they'll say sometimes to me like, "My dad couldn't fix this at home." And then I will always, in such a nice way, "You go home and make sure you tell them you know how to do it now." 27:13 - I do think that remote learning and having people working and learning different classes, whether it's remote or just strictly in some fashion that they're not integrating into teams, does set them up to not work as well on teams once they're inside of the workplace. But I think each person is going to have their unique experiences that they've had through life, and those are going to impact whether or not they work well in teams. Sarah Holtan, PhD LinkedIn Website  Jessie Cannizzaro LinkedIn Website

    36 min

  3. OCT 8

    Boosting Value in a Technology Tool with Joe Sallustio, EdD

    Sarah Holtan chats with Dr. Joe Salustio, VP of Industry Engagement and Co-founder and Host of the EdUp Experience Podcast, about the transformative role technology plays in higher education and the crucial steps institutions must take to stay competitive. Imagine operating your entire college on outdated software while your competitors soar ahead with cutting-edge solutions. Joe breaks down why many schools resist necessary tech upgrades, what it takes to overcome these hurdles, and the future trends every educational leader should watch. His insights reveal the high stakes of failing to adapt and the steps needed to ensure your institution is not left behind. Are you curious about how failing to update technology can endanger your institution's future? Listen to find out how thoughtful tech investments can propel colleges toward long-term sustainability and success. Episode Highlights: 03:40 - Higher ed to some degree has customized these systems so intensely that it's hard to switch out of it. You know how higher ed works, Sarah. It's like, "Well, we don't wanna change, and I like things the way they are. And if I'm not going to be able to do X, Y, or Z anymore, so I don't want this system." So there's an inertia that's built. 05:55 - Higher ed doesn't know any better. So then they spend 2-3 years modernizing human resources and finance, and all the student system just sits there and doesn't innovate. And next thing you know, there's a school over here that's a competitor that started with their student system and is now able to do more than you. 16:20 - We have programs that allow you to to have distinct pathways towards your degree so that you aren't losing credit. And to allow that system to be employed, you have to be willing to reconfigure, completely reconfigure, how your classes are organized. 25:05 - A lot of times people forget how many technologies they actually use that they need to disclose before undertaking this project, and that's what integrations are. And integrations can slow you down. Sarah Holtan, PhD LinkedIn Website  Joe Sallustio, EdD LinkedIn Website Company Book

    35 min

  4. SEP 24

    The Cost of Shared Governance with Brian Rosenberg, PhD

    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 the 20:09 - 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, PhD LinkedIn Website  Brian Rosenberg, PhD LinkedIn Book

    36 min

  5. SEP 10

    Should a Merger be in Your Future? with Ricardo Azziz

    Sarah Holtan, PhD and Ricardo Azziz, the Director at the Center for Higher Education Mergers & Acquisitions and Principal at the SPH Consulting Group, explore the strategic significance of early action and planning in addressing challenges in higher education, with a particular focus on the complexities of college mergers. They discuss important aspects, including the financial and cultural considerations involved in merging institutions, and stress the importance of proactive leadership among college administrators. The episode concludes with practical advice for struggling colleges to stay viable as potential merger partners. Episode Highlights 10:52 - Once you've actually made the decision to merge and you've made that decision to announce publicly, it is now time to engage everybody to the extent you can, to explain why the process had to be confidential initially, and to really basically create a community effort around this initiative. 12:10 - The second major point of failure in a merger is a failure to implement correctly. You just don't think it through, you don't understand the systems, you don't understand which dominoes have to fall first, what order of things have to be addressed, and so that's a big issue. So, the failure of implementation is a big deal. 20:22 - The best way to preserve heritage and the best way to preserve service to a student and the best way to preserve certain academic programming is actually to make sure that your institution is stable. 23:02 - Growth can be quicker. It can be more rapid if we were to then merge with another institution and now sort of have a number of programs and students that we didn't have before. So, I think that tactic is important. Sarah Holtan, PhD LinkedIn Website  Ricardo Azziz LinkedIn Website

    39 min

  6. MAY 14

    Boosting Employment Potential of Female Graduates with Jen Dirks

    Today, we're joined by a powerhouse in the world of business and academia, Jen Dirks, the CEO and president of Tempo Milwaukee, who brings over two decades of experience in strategic planning and business operations. In this episode, we dive deep into the crucial issues surrounding higher education, particularly the representation of women in leadership roles and the systemic changes needed to promote gender equality. We'll explore Jen's own college journey at Illinois State University, her role in shaping mentorship programs, and her advocacy for more inclusive curricula. We also highlight the importance of mentors, alumni networks in empowering female students and the significant impact of diverse guest speakers in academia. Episode Highlights 07:14 - So we were inspired at Tempo to, start a match program, a Tempo Mentor, so that's the more experienced individual. That is somebody like you, Sarah, 15 to 25 years in the professional experience, mentoring and being matched specifically with that emerging women leader mentee, so somebody not quite yet, at that executive level, maybe more in the mid manager type of role. 13:10 - I'm not a critic of my female students, but I may tend to be a little bit harder on them because this is something that, marketing communications, I feel like it's it's just a natural for women's or for female students. 32:34 - There is another study that absolutely I mean, there's multiple studies that say having a woman with a seat at the table in the executive level or on your board, the bottom line for an organization is vastly different than an all male board, all male executive team. 38:13 - I often say this, this is a pivotal time for women, for female students to have a voice, to elevate. I mean, running even running a women's organization, there is not a better time. There is not a better climate or environment to be doing that. The visibility of women, the voice of women has changed drastically in the last 5, 10, 15 years, and so that's really a great time. Sarah Holtan, PhD LinkedIn Website  Jen Dirks LinkedIn Website

    40 min

  7. APR 23

    International Student Recruitment and Growth Strategies Jim Burkee, PhD

    Sarah Holtan, PhD, hosts Jim Burkee, PhD, in a conversation about overcoming unique challenges in international student recruitment and the expansive growth in enrollment at Avila University. They discuss the necessity of flexible infrastructure to support a diverse student body and share personal anecdotes from their experiences abroad. Episode Highlights: 00:15 - Dr. Burkee recalls the pungent adventure of trying stinky tofu with students, tying it to the broader narrative of the transformative value in cultural experiences, essential ingredients in the stew of international education. 08:46 - At a crossroads of innovation, collaboration surfaces as the beacon guiding institutions through the tempest of higher education challenges; Dr. Burkee cites the intricate dance of managing student recruitment across varied programs and costs. 21:29 - Through the lens of his presidency, Dr. Burkee zooms in on Avila University's narrative of growth, illustrating how a focus on identity and partnerships has orchestrated a melody of inclusivity, attracting a symphony of international learners. Sarah Holtan, PhD LinkedIn Website  Jim Burkee, PhD LinkedIn Website

    34 min

  8. APR 9

    Strategies to Maximize the College Search with Angela Walmsley, PhD

    Sarah talks with Dr. Angela Walmsley, PhD, renowned education consultant and president of Interactive College Prep. They delve into the art of making informed decisions in the college search process. Dr. Walmsley brings clarity to the nuances of modern college admissions and shares expert strategies for students and their families. Dr. Walmsley's also shares her thoughts about the evolving landscape of college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and application tactics. Episode Highlights: 13:37 - Now what I tell people is that you wanna push yourself as much as you can, but still get a's and b's. So, like, if you're going to sign up for all AP classes and you're going to get a c in all of them because you can't do that level of rigor, then that wasn't a good choice for you. 23:11 - The thing that comes to mind in terms of the barrier is one thing I've even seen myself is kind of the lack of campus tours that are available and kind of off times. So a lot of families want to go over breaks, you know, holidays, weekends, and that's often when they're not offered. 26:30 - One thing that I'm always amazed in general is so many students and families feel like their students should be able to go to college for free. So we hear this all the time. Right? Like, somebody's gonna get a free ride because of x, y, and z, or an athlete's gonna get a free ride, or somebody who's really top-notch academics going to get a free ride. In reality, there are really very few free rides to college. 37:48 - So institutions have to really be able to answer that question, you know, that what they're doing and the preparation they have for students to move on after their college experience and get a good job is important. So I just think, you know, making sure there's enough investment in those resources, career resources and, and what they're advertising at what for what students do at their institution is going to prepare them for that. So I think just, you know, making sure they can answer that question about the cost being worth it. Sarah Holtan, PhD LinkedIn Website  Angela Walmsley LinkedIn Website Wall Street Journal Article

    40 min
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About

Welcome to Get Down to College Business. We will identify strategies that could make the difference between keeping university doors open and closing them for good. I'm pulling in business experts and higher ed leaders to debate the merits of strategies that could save the future of higher ed. You will leave feeling empowered with new ideas to reimagine how you approach the business of college to support the cause of the affordable college experience. Visit us at highlevelleadership.com, read our blog and join our email list to get connected. Follow us and leave a positive review on your favorite podcast app. I'm your host, Sarah Holtan, PhD. Let's Get Down to College Business.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Holtan, PhD
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Sarah Holtan, PhD
  • Show Website
    Get Down to College Business

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