The Innovating Together Podcast

University Innovation Alliance
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Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org.

  1. 20 AGO

    Leading with Clarity: How Servant Leadership is Transforming CU Denver

    What if the clarity you seek as a leader is already walking the halls of your campus? In this inspiring episode of Start the Week with Wisdom, co-hosts Bridget Burns and Sarah Custer sit down with Chancellor Kenneth “Ken” Christensen of the University of Colorado Denver, a leader who proves that service, collaboration, and a student-first mindset can transform an entire institution. Ken shares the unexpected moments that shaped his journey from a first-generation college student in New Mexico to becoming a nationally recognized leader in higher education. From his engineering roots to groundbreaking innovations in access and student success, Ken reveals the values and strategies that are uniting CU Denver’s campus in a time of great complexity. You’ll hear about his leadership philosophy, the lessons learned from his grandfather, and why walking across campus is his secret to staying grounded. This isn’t just another talk about change in higher ed, it’s a masterclass in clarity, purpose, and courageous transformation. Five Key Takeaways: Clarity drives change: In times of uncertainty, leaders must simplify and focus on what matters most, students. Student-centric leadership works: Reorienting a campus around student success can unite even the most divided stakeholders. Innovating with access in mind: Ken’s Coursera initiative showed how performance-based admissions can open doors for adult learners. Ground-level engagement matters: Visibility and relational leadership foster trust and purpose. Shared mission fuels momentum: When everyone rallies around a single purpose, real collaboration happens. "If there’s ever a moment for us to find some unity of purpose internally to help drive change, it’s now." - Chancellor Ken Christensen Don’t keep this wisdom to yourself, subscribe, share the episode with your team, or take 5 minutes today to journal what clarity of purpose means in your own leadership. Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    26 min

  2. 13 AGO

    Leading with Purpose in a Hailstorm: Harrison Keller on Higher Ed’s Hardest Questions

    Is higher ed still worth it, and who decides what’s valuable? In an era of AI disruption, value skepticism, and demographic cliffhangers, college leaders face mounting pressure from every angle. In this week’s episode of The Innovating Together Podcast, President Harrison Keller of the University of North Texas brings grounded, energizing clarity to the whirlwind. With roots in philosophy, public policy, and military intelligence, Keller offers a rare and practical kind of wisdom, one rooted in action, trust, and long-term vision. We dive into Keller’s leadership journey from commissioner of higher ed in Texas to university president, uncovering how his undergraduate studies in philosophy still shape his leadership. From debating the ROI of liberal arts to building actionable intelligence networks between campuses and employers, Keller shares how he's staying focused on delivering value, no matter how chaotic the moment gets. This conversation is packed with practical leadership insights, reminders of what really matters, and a hopeful perspective for anyone feeling the headwinds of change. Key Takeaways: Liberal arts degrees, while slower to pay off, still offer high long-term value, especially when paired with career-focused experiences. True leadership requires offering people something they can be for, not just resisting what's wrong. Intelligence work taught Keller how to turn data into actionable insights, and why dashboards alone don’t drive change. Institutions must collaborate across sectors to keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution. Joy is non-negotiable: whether it’s time with students or marching band rehearsals, leaders must schedule moments that renew them.  "You’ve got to give people something they can be for." - Harrison Keller Don’t miss this one.Subscribe to Start the Week with Wisdom, share it with a fellow leader, or take five minutes to journal your own “North Star”, what keeps you grounded when everything feels like it’s coming from all directions? Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    23 min

  3. 30 JUL

    Start the Week with Wisdom | Why Curiosity Makes a Better Leader

    Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    16 min

  4. 23 JUL

    Rethinking Education Through Learning Innovation with Dr. Carole Basile

    In this episode of the Innovating Together podcast, host Bridget Burns welcomes Dr. Carole Basile, Dean of Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching and Learning Innovation. Together, they dive deep into education innovation, structural change in teacher preparation, and the bold reimagining of the K–12 and higher education workforce. Dr. Basile’s fresh approach centers on a groundbreaking premise: the average student or teacher no longer exists, so why are our systems still designed for “average”? Instead of tweaking curriculum or offering surface-level professional development, her team is working to completely redesign school structures based on variance, strengths-based staffing, and collaborative educator teams. She explains how the outdated “one teacher, one classroom” model is being replaced by dynamic, team-based configurations that align with the unique strengths of educators and the individual needs of students. Key insights from this episode: Personalized learning requires a shift in structure, not just content Workforce development in education is about strategic team design, not just hiring AI and technology are tools to empower educators and personalize education, not replace them Teacher satisfaction, retention, and student success increase in structurally innovative models True innovation starts with permission to change and the courage to move with the willing Dr. Basile also shares the real impact of this model, now implemented in over 150 schools across 17 states, reaching more than 27,000 students, and how it’s transforming both student outcomes and educator morale. “When we build teams around real expertise, everyone wins—students and teachers alike.” If this episode sparked a new vision for your institution or school system, share it with a colleague, and visit Mainstay.com to explore research-backed retention tools that are shaping the future of student engagement. Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    25 min

  5. 16 JUL

    Let Knowledge Serve the City: President Ann Cudd on Leadership, Resilience, and Belonging

    Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    21 min

  6. 18 JUN

    The Disagreement Podcast: Is College Worth It? Live from ASU GSV Summit

    Recorded live at the ASU GSV Summit in San Diego, this episode of The Disagreement Podcast tackles the pressing question: Is college still worth it? Host Alex Grodd moderates a dynamic debate between higher education experts Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, and Ryan Craig, Managing Director at Achieve Partners and author of Apprentice Nation. Together, they unpack whether the traditional college model delivers economic and societal value in today’s economy, or if shorter, skills-based alternatives like apprenticeships offer a better path. The discussion dives into ROI, workforce readiness, and the need for institutional reform, with Burns defending college’s broader societal benefits and Craig advocating for "earn and learn" pathways to address employability gaps. With sharp insights, personal anecdotes, and a candid exchange of ideas, this episode challenges assumptions about higher education’s role in a rapidly changing world. From the alarming statistic that only a quarter of college matriculants achieve their desired job outcomes to the call for integrating work-based learning into curricula, Burns and Craig offer compelling perspectives. A lively “steel man” exercise caps the debate, showcasing their ability to articulate each other’s arguments. This episode is a must-listen for parents, students, and educators grappling with the future of post-secondary education. Key Takeaways: College’s economic ROI is under scrutiny, with nearly half of students not completing degrees and over half of graduates underemployed. Societal benefits of college, like critical thinking and civic engagement, remain vital but must be balanced with better employment outcomes. Apprenticeships and work-based learning offer viable alternatives, though they may limit long-term career flexibility. Higher education needs reform to align curricula with workforce demands, especially in the AI-driven economy. The debate highlights the need for diverse, adaptable educational pathways rather than a one-size-fits-all model. “College is not a monolith, and it is a very individual choice, and we have to do a far better job actually helping people be successful with it.” – Dr. Bridget Burns Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    42 min

  7. 6 JUN

    Sustaining Student Success Through Leadership Change

    In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns introduces two trailblazers from the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) Fellows Program, Amy Martin and Renata Opoczynski, who share their transformative journey at Michigan State University (MSU). Recorded at the UIA National Summit, the episode highlights how MSU sustained student success despite significant challenges, including seven presidents and five provosts in a decade, alongside institutional trauma. Amy and Renata reveal the power of process mapping—a low-cost, high-impact tool sparked by a 2015 UIA convening at Georgia State—that drove systemic change by exposing inefficiencies and fostering student-centered solutions. Their story underscores the Fellows Program’s role in building a pipeline of innovative, empathetic leaders for higher education. The episode dives into five key strategies MSU employed to maintain momentum: embedding a “learn, thrive, graduate” vision in campus culture, focusing on incremental action through strategic doing, fostering collaborative change, co-designing with students, and empowering UIA fellows as strategic leaders. Amy and Renata’s firsthand accounts offer practical insights and inspiration for institutions navigating turnover and complexity while prioritizing student outcomes. Key Takeaways: Process mapping reveals systemic flaws, enabling effective student success interventions. Embedding a clear vision, like “learn, thrive, graduate,” anchors progress amid leadership changes. Strategic doing and collaborative frameworks drive consistent, incremental advancements. Co-designing with students ensures solutions address real barriers. Empowering fellows as strategic leaders fosters innovation and sustains momentum. “You can’t bring a good solution into a toxic system. You need to actually see the system for how it is and not how you fantasize it to be.” – Bridget Burns Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and well-being. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    14 min

  8. 21 MAY

    Transforming Higher Ed Through Daily Innovation | Dr. Ryan Goodwin on Student Success and Institutional Change

    In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns spotlights one of the most inspiring leadership journeys in the University Innovation Alliance’s history: Dr. Ryan Goodwin. A member of the UIA’s inaugural Fellows cohort, Dr. Goodwin reflects on his evolution from a fresh post-grad working out of a closet office at UCF to now serving as Senior Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff in UCF’s largest division. Listeners will hear how the UIA Fellows Program laid the foundation for Dr. Goodwin’s extraordinary career: shaping policy, leading advising reform, and helping UCF make student success its top strategic priority. His story illustrates the power of believing in people early, investing in collaboration, and the transformative impact of empowering others to lead. From pioneering one of the largest advising reforms in the country to cutting student-to-coach ratios in half and dramatically improving graduation rates, this conversation highlights how incremental, daily efforts can create breakthroughs. Key Takeaways: Great change comes from consistent small steps, not one-time innovations. Investing in early-career professionals unlocks scalable, long-term impact. UIA’s Fellows Program is a powerful pipeline for future higher ed leaders. Cross-functional collaboration and bold risk-taking are essential to institutional transformation. Student success isn’t a strategy, it’s a culture. “Transformation isn’t a single stroke of genius. It’s the daily intentional efforts to drive forward, to innovate, and to uplift those around you.” — Dr. Ryan Goodwin Learn more about the UIA by visiting: Website LinkedIn Twitter YouTube Facebook This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

    11 min
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Welcome to innovating together, a podcast produced by the University Innovation Alliance. This is a podcast for busy people in higher education who are looking for the “aha moments” that can propel their work forward. Innovating Together curates the best insights, research, and experts. To connect with us further, visit www.theuia.org.

Información

  • Creador
    University Innovation Alliance
  • Años de actividad
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodios
    195
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © University Innovation Alliance

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