Higher Ed Leaders by Viv Higher Education

Suzan Brinker, PhD

Welcome to Higher Ed Leaders, hosted by Suzan Brinker, PhD, of Viv Higher Education, is the podcast for higher education professionals who believe colleges and universities are strongest when they are bold, adaptive, and built to last. We are excited to bring you Season 3 of Higher Ed Leaders. This season continues our focus on entrepreneurial leadership, this time through founding and long-term impact stories. Across each episode, we explore how institutions, schools, programs, and major initiatives were first imagined, launched, and sustained. Through conversations with presidents, vice presidents, and senior leaders, the podcast digs into decision-making with imperfect information, prioritization, and knowing when to move forward or say no, all with an eye toward lasting impact in higher education. Previous seasons include Season 2, which focused on The Entrepreneurial Campus, and Season 1, centered on Transforming and Innovating Higher Education.

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  1. SEASON 3: Ep. 1 Leading With Purpose: An Interview with Dr. Humphrey at Carlow University

    Episode 1

    SEASON 3: Ep. 1 Leading With Purpose: An Interview with Dr. Humphrey at Carlow University

    In this episode, Carlow University President Kathy W. Humphrey shares her leadership story, shaped by her experience as a first-generation college student, her faith, and her lifelong comfort with navigating uncertainty. She reflects on Carlow’s founding mission to meet “the next great need” and how that legacy continues to guide the University’s growth today. Dr. Humphrey discusses entrepreneurial leadership in higher education, the importance of meeting students and employers where they are, and how staying grounded in purpose helps leaders navigate constant change, criticism, and challenge. This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    27 min
  2. SEASON 3: Ep. 2 Building Jersey College to Address the Nursing Shortage with Greg Karzhevsky

    Episode 2

    SEASON 3: Ep. 2 Building Jersey College to Address the Nursing Shortage with Greg Karzhevsky

    In this episode, Greg Karzhevsky, founder of Jersey College, shares how a real workforce need led him to create a nursing school built for adult learners. What began as a way to support medically fragile children and the families who care for them grew into a multi-campus institution focused on student support, access, and outcomes. Greg walks through the challenges of building and scaling a highly regulated institution, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and how Jersey College continues to respond to the ongoing nursing shortage by meeting students where they are. This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    30 min
  3. SEASON 3: Ep. 3 Leading a College for Half a Century with Leon Botstein from Bard College

    Episode 3

    SEASON 3: Ep. 3 Leading a College for Half a Century with Leon Botstein from Bard College

    In this episode, Bard College President Leon Botstein reflects on a remarkable five decades in higher education leadership. He shares how he unexpectedly became a college president in his twenties, the lessons learned from leading through financial and cultural change, and how higher education has evolved over time.  The conversation explores the tension between excellence and access, the growing challenges facing college leaders, and the enduring value of a rigorous liberal arts education. Leon offers a candid, long-view perspective on the role colleges and universities play in shaping thoughtful citizens and strengthening society.  This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    41 min
  4. SEASON 3: Ep. 4 Resilience, Risk, and University Leadership with Carol Christ, UC Berkeley

    Episode 4

    SEASON 3: Ep. 4 Resilience, Risk, and University Leadership with Carol Christ, UC Berkeley

    In this episode, former UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ reflects on her unexpected path to university leadership and the realities of guiding a major public institution through a period of intense disruption. From free speech controversies and financial pressures to the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting public perceptions of higher education, Christ shares how entrepreneurial thinking, clear communication, and strong institutional values shaped her leadership approach. Drawing on decades as a faculty member, president of Smith College, and chancellor at Berkeley, she explores the evolving role of higher education, the importance of access and affordability, and why universities must balance innovation with stability. Throughout the conversation, Christ emphasizes storytelling, transparency, and a strong moral compass as essential tools for leading institutions and preparing students for uncertain, rapidly changing careers. This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    29 min
  5. SEASON 3: Ep. 5 Building an R1 Without Leaving Students Behind with Freeman Hrabowski III, UMBC

    Episode 5

    SEASON 3: Ep. 5 Building an R1 Without Leaving Students Behind with Freeman Hrabowski III, UMBC

    In this episode, longtime University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) president Dr. Freeman Hrabowski reflects on three decades of transformational leadership and the lessons that shaped one of the nation’s most innovative public universities. He shares how a relentless focus on student success, equity in STEM, research excellence, and community impact helped UMBC become a national model for inclusive achievement. Drawing from his experiences in the Civil Rights Movement and his tenure leading through change, Dr. Hrabowski offers candid insights on moral leadership, shared governance, resilience, and the responsibility higher education holds in preparing students to lead with purpose in a complex and evolving world. This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    35 min
  6. SEASON 3: Ep. 6 The Elegant Experiment with Hilary Link, Drew University

    Episode 6

    SEASON 3: Ep. 6 The Elegant Experiment with Hilary Link, Drew University

    In this episode, Drew University President Hilary shares how she is rethinking the future of higher education through bold, entrepreneurial leadership. From launching an experimental new college designed for real-world problem solving to challenging traditional academic structures and cost models, she offers an honest look at what colleges must do to stay relevant and sustainable. This conversation explores risk-taking, innovation, lifelong learning, and what today’s students truly need from their education, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of leadership and learning. This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    37 min
  7. SEASON 3: Ep. 7 The Power of Heart-First Leadership with Joseph Brennan, Montclair State University

    Episode 7

    SEASON 3: Ep. 7 The Power of Heart-First Leadership with Joseph Brennan, Montclair State University

    In this episode of the Higher Ed Leaders podcast, Suzan sits down with Joseph to discuss what leadership looks like in a time of disruption across higher education. Drawing on more than 35 years in higher ed communications and his work as an executive coach, Joseph shares his philosophy of heart-first leadership, which prioritizes empathy, presence, and psychological safety while still holding teams to high standards.  The conversation explores how leaders can shift from being the person with all the answers to becoming a coach who asks powerful questions that unlock creativity and ownership within their teams. Suzan and Joseph also reflect on the pressures facing higher education today, including demographic challenges, talent retention, and rising expectations for marketing and communications teams, as well as the evolving role of AI in the field.  Throughout the discussion, Joseph emphasizes that in a complex and uncertain environment, the most effective leaders focus on building trust, supporting their people, and creating workplaces where teams feel safe to learn, experiment, and do their best work. This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    38 min
  8. SEASON 3: Ep. 8 From First-Generation Student to Business School Dean with Scott Beaulier, University of Wyoming

    Episode 8

    SEASON 3: Ep. 8 From First-Generation Student to Business School Dean with Scott Beaulier, University of Wyoming

    In this episode of the Higher Ed Leaders podcast, Suzan sits down with Scott Beaulier, H.A. (Dave) True Family Dean of Business at the University of Wyoming, to discuss his path from first-generation college student to business school dean and what leadership looks like in today’s rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Scott shares how his career in economics gradually led him into academic leadership and reflects on the mission-driven work of land-grant universities serving rural and first-generation students seeking economic mobility. The conversation explores the current moment in business education, including questions about the value of higher education, the growing influence of AI, and the skills students need most to succeed in a changing workforce. Suzan and Scott also discuss the importance of mentorship, ethical leadership, and human-centered skills such as communication and relationship-building that technology cannot easily replace. Throughout the episode, Scott offers candid advice for aspiring higher education leaders and reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing universities as they navigate disruption while remaining focused on student success. This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education  About Viv Higher Education Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives. Website: https://vivhied.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viv-higher-ed/

    27 min
See All Season 3 (13)

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Ratings & Reviews

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3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Higher Ed Leaders, hosted by Suzan Brinker, PhD, of Viv Higher Education, is the podcast for higher education professionals who believe colleges and universities are strongest when they are bold, adaptive, and built to last. We are excited to bring you Season 3 of Higher Ed Leaders. This season continues our focus on entrepreneurial leadership, this time through founding and long-term impact stories. Across each episode, we explore how institutions, schools, programs, and major initiatives were first imagined, launched, and sustained. Through conversations with presidents, vice presidents, and senior leaders, the podcast digs into decision-making with imperfect information, prioritization, and knowing when to move forward or say no, all with an eye toward lasting impact in higher education. Previous seasons include Season 2, which focused on The Entrepreneurial Campus, and Season 1, centered on Transforming and Innovating Higher Education.

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