26 episodes

Welcome to “The Higher Edge” – a podcast for the brightest minds in higher education to hear from the change makers and rule breakers that are driving meaningful, impactful change for students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the country.
Join award-winning education executive and your host, Brendan Aldrich, to hear from today’s industry leaders as they share the stories and experiences that are shaping forward-thinking institutions.
From improving operations to supporting student success, this is where you’ll learn proven recommendations and actionable tips that will give you, “The Higher Edge”.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The Higher Edge Brendan Aldrich

    • Education
    • 4.8 • 21 Ratings

Welcome to “The Higher Edge” – a podcast for the brightest minds in higher education to hear from the change makers and rule breakers that are driving meaningful, impactful change for students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the country.
Join award-winning education executive and your host, Brendan Aldrich, to hear from today’s industry leaders as they share the stories and experiences that are shaping forward-thinking institutions.
From improving operations to supporting student success, this is where you’ll learn proven recommendations and actionable tips that will give you, “The Higher Edge”.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Engaging Students with Education Policy and Politics

    Engaging Students with Education Policy and Politics

    Today’s sociopolitical climate has been drastically influenced by the rise of digital media and 24-hour news sources. Unfortunately, a gradual decline in civics exposure in our classrooms has also contributed to an unsettling polarization in our society.


    Joe Kahne, Co-Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG) and Professor at the University of California-Riverside, is fighting to re-engage students at all levels in the civics conversation.


    Through initiatives like Connecting Classrooms to Congress, Joe hopes to give the next generation a desire to get involved in American democracy and challenge their own perspectives.


    Join us as we discuss:



    - The impact of affective polarization on democracy (4:11)

    - Digital media’s influence on the civics discourse (16:32)

    - A lesson in civics leadership and political word association (25:19)


    Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:



    - joekahne@ucr.edu

    - Civic Engagement Research Group

    - Connecting Classrooms to Congress

    - University of California-Riverside


    To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player. 


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    • 32 min
    Data Tells, Stories Sell: How a Community College Leverages Good Works

    Data Tells, Stories Sell: How a Community College Leverages Good Works

    Any number of socioeconomic roadblocks may prevent underserved college students from fulfilling their higher education dream. As someone with a disadvantaged upbringing himself, Galen Dehay, President of Tri-County Technical College, believes circumstances shouldn’t define potential.


    His administration has partnered with multiple nonprofits to give under-resourced students a chance at meaningful careers.


    Galen shares how community collaboration and authentic engagement are setting up under-resourced students for success.  


    Join us as we discuss:



    - Wraparound services, I-BEST, and SC Thrive(8:03)

    - DACA and other policies impacting underserved students (21:04)

    - Designing an educational experience that benefits students (29:03)


    Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:



    - Gdehay@tctc.edu

    - Galen Dehay

    - The Future of Education

    - Tri-County Technical College

    - Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST)

    - SC Thrive

    - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

    - Aspen Institute


    To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.
     


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    • 31 min
    The Accidental IT Leader

    The Accidental IT Leader

    Some in higher ed assume that colleges and university information technology departments are simply tasked with fixing computer glitches and resetting passwords. But IT does far more than just “keep the lights running.” IT leaders are pioneering innovation in real-time, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way.


    In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Johnston, Director of Information Technology at Mendocino College, and Andy Specht, Director of Information Technology Services at Allen Hancock College.


    Dave and Andy talk about their first 90 days in IT leadership roles, keeping the human connection in technology, and their upcoming presentation at the CISOA 2023 Technology Summit.


    Join us as we discuss:



    - Becoming an accidental IT leader through attrition (2:22)

    - Getting colleagues and cabinet members on board in innovation (20:06)

    - An intentional focus on advancing projects with “10% time” (23:21)


    Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:



    - CISOA 2023 Technology Summit

    - Dave Johnston

    - djohnston@mendocino.edu

    - Mendocino College

    - Andy Specht

    - aspecht@hancockcollege.edu

    - Allen Hancock College


    To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.
     


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    • 35 min
    Leading Collaborative Change Across Indiana’s Higher Ed Landscape

    Leading Collaborative Change Across Indiana’s Higher Ed Landscape

    State commissioners have the exceptional duty of coordinating with public and independent institutions to define public college and university initiatives that will shape the higher education infrastructure across their state.


    In this episode, Chris Lowery, a recently appointed commissioner with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, gives his unique perspective on the inner workings of his state’s governing body.


    Chris brings a wealth of experience from the public, private, and academic sectors as he tells us about collaborative partnerships that will help give Indiana students The Higher Edge.


    Join us as we discuss:




    The importance of academic and workforce partnerships (8:28)
    Collaborative partnerships with a Pentagon of People (17:38)
    Strategic initiatives to improve the college-going rate (25:10)




    Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:




    Email: clowery@che.in.gov
    Linkedin: Chris Lowery
    Website: Indiana Commission for Higher Education 
    Website: Independent Colleges of Indiana
    Website: Frank O’Bannon Grant
    Website: 21st Century Scholars Program




    To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.
     


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    • 36 min
    Fight for Your Students: A Provost’s Perspective of the Future

    Fight for Your Students: A Provost’s Perspective of the Future

    College and university provosts are tasked with a unique mission in higher education. Now called Chief Academic Officers at many institutions, provosts ensure that business-minded school administrations never lose sight of their core purpose: preparing their students for life through quality education.


    As a former provost herself, Kara Monroe, Founder and President of Monarch Strategies, never lost her passion for helping others navigate the complexities of higher academia.  


    Kara talks about the value of collaboration and continuous learning, as well as the ongoing fight for education reform.  


    Join us as we discuss:

    - The role of the modern provost in a corporatized administration (7:06)

    - Strategic coaching and learning new administrative skills (19:23)

    - The need for higher ed reform and competency-based education (25:28)


    Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

    - kara@monarchstrategiesllc.com

    - Kara’s Blog

    - Monarch Strategies

    - Ivy Tech Community College

    - The Higher Learning Commission

    - WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies


    To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.
     


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    • 34 min
    Expectations of Excellence: Educating Tomorrow’s Culturally-Savvy Leaders

    Expectations of Excellence: Educating Tomorrow’s Culturally-Savvy Leaders

    HBCUs were birthed out of necessity during America’s segregation period, giving black students a place of belonging in higher education. Today, they continue that mission while leading the charge in educating and promoting diverse, global-minded talent.


    For instance, Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR, President of Dillard University, and her colleagues are sharing real life experiences through the reestablished National Center for Black-Jewish Relations.


    Rochelle gives her passionate insight into how HBCUs are advancing our country — and the world — by actively bringing communities together in a polarizing climate.


    Join us as we discuss:



    - How HBCUs provide a place of belonging for black students (11:30)

    - Microaggressions and misguided expectations (20:40)

    - Articulation agreements and promoting global-minded talent (31:55)


    Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

    - Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR

    - Dillard University

    - The National Center for Black-Jewish Relations

    - The Council of Independent Colleges


    To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website or search for The Higher Edge in your favorite podcast player.
     


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
21 Ratings

21 Ratings

Brooks767 ,

Well Done!

I’m thrilled I found your podcast! Concise and inciteful discussion from the players in ‘Higher Education’. I really enjoyed your interview with Aeron Zentner. Keep up the good work Brendan…thank you!

Mary46260 ,

These are the voices of higher education

Great guests and perspectives! I really love how this show is featuring guests in such a wide variety of roles across the world of higher education.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr745 ,

Inspire, Lead, Manage.

Great management tips for any industry but specifically great for information technology.
Brendan can really pull the best information from any subject. 5/5 great listen!

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