Short-Term Credentials: What College Leaders Should Know
Changing Higher Ed
As short-term credentials gain traction, higher ed leaders face a critical question: Are these programs truly cost-effective and accessible—or just shorter? In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Jinann Bitar, Director of Higher Ed Research and Data Analytics at Education Trust, about the cost-efficiency, accessibility, and policy implications of short-term credential programs. They discuss new research on program affordability, disparities across states and industries, and the limited long-term earnings data available. Jinann shares what institutions need to consider before...
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Washington Update: Dismantling the Department of Education and Redefining Oversight for Higher Ed
Changing Higher Ed
Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and a trusted Washington insider, returns to provide a critical update on sweeping federal changes affecting higher education. In conversation with Drumm McNaughton, he breaks down the Trump administration’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, a move that’s already led to major staff reductions and the redistribution of responsibilities across other federal agencies. Key Discussion Points Structural Overhaul of the Department of Education: Nearly 50% of ED staff have been laid off, including in core offices such as...
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Enrollment Marketing Strategy: How to Attract Students and Align Programs
Changing Higher Ed
Enrollment marketing strategy is no longer optional—it’s essential for institutions looking to grow in a competitive, high-cost digital environment. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Max DesMarais, Director of Strategy at Vital, about how colleges and universities can use data, content strategy, and full-funnel marketing to improve student recruitment and ensure academic offerings align with demand. Building an Effective Enrollment Marketing Strategy Validate program demand before launch using research, polling, and student behavior data. Use student-friendly program names...
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Higher Education Innovation That Builds Workforce-Ready Graduates
Changing Higher Ed
80% of Champlain College graduates land jobs in their field of study—because the college designed its model to make students workforce ready. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Alex Hernandez, President of Champlain College, about how higher education institutions can build their innovation muscle to with workforce needs and improve graduate outcomes. Building the Innovation Muscle —not a static document. Faculty co-design new academic models, driving institution-wide innovation. Innovation is embedded in culture, not dependent on top-down initiatives. Aligning Curriculum...
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The Hidden Enrollment Market in Workforce Education
Changing Higher Ed
There are 41.5 million Americans who left college without earning a degree—but many would return if given the right opportunity. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Alana Rose, Vice President of Academic Networks at InStride, about how workforce education and corporate partnerships can unlock a hidden enrollment market. The Workforce Education Advantage Employer-funded education provides debt-free learning opportunities for employees. Workforce development programs help companies upskill employees and retain talent. Higher education institutions gain access to...
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Transforming College Advising: A New Approach to Student Success
Changing Higher Ed
Higher education institutions continue to struggle with student retention, career readiness, and underemployment among graduates. Traditional college advising models focus heavily on selecting a major, yet many students graduate with empty degrees that fail to translate into meaningful careers. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Scott Carlson and Dr. Ned Scott Laff, authors of , about how institutions can rethink academic advising, faculty engagement, and to better serve today’s learners. Carlson, a senior writer for the Chronicle of Higher...
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Top Risks in Higher Education and Why Leaders Must Have ERM Programs
Changing Higher Ed
Justin Kollinger, Senior Risk Management Consultant at United Educators (UE), brings valuable perspective in helping colleges and universities develop strategic risk initiatives. As co-author of "Risk Management: An Accountability Guide for University and College Boards" and creator of UE's annual Top 10 Risks report, Kollinger works with institution leaders to develop strategic risk initiatives, prioritize risk management goals, and launch enterprise risk management programs. Higher Ed's Current Risk & Liability Environment The higher education sector faces what United Educators calls...
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ADA Compliance in Higher Education: What Institutions Need to Know
Changing Higher Ed
New Federal ADA Regulation Deadlines Are Approaching – Is Your Institution Ready? Colleges and universities must now meet stricter ADA compliance requirements for websites and digital content or risk legal consequences, fines, and loss of federal funding. With the , institutions must ensure all web content, mobile apps, and digital resources meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. For many schools, the deadline is approaching fast. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton has a conversation with Eugene Woo, CEO and founder of Venngage, to discuss what these...
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The Glass Cliff in Higher Education: Challenges Faced by Women University Presidents
Changing Higher Ed
According to recent ACE presidential survey data, women now constitute 33% of university presidencies, yet a troubling pattern has emerged: these leaders are often appointed during times of institutional crisis, creating what researchers call "the glass cliff" phenomenon. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Lori Varlotta, former president of Hiram College and California Lutheran University and current Distinguished Professor of Higher Education Leadership at Cal Lutheran, shares insights from her research on the glass cliff phenomenon in higher education. Drawing from her first...
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Keys to Launching New College Programs that Build Enrollment
Changing Higher Ed
Creating new colleges, new college programs, and growing enrollment is not an easy task in our current academic environment. Building enrollment for a brand-new academic program is one of higher education's toughest challenges. Yet, the successfully recruited its first class by flipping the traditional mindset. Instead of expecting students to be "college ready," they designed their programs to be "student ready." In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Teri Reed, inaugural director of the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute at OU Tulsa and veteran creator of innovative...
info_outlineIn this podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes guest James R. Johnsen, the former President of the University of Alaska System, who is now a Vice President of Executive Search for Greenwood Asher & Associates. Johnsen discusses his new book, "Public University Systems: Leveraging Scale in Higher Education," which examines the importance of and challenges facing public university systems across the U.S.
What higher ed leaders will gain from this podcast:
Understanding Public University Systems in Higher Education Governance
A comprehensive overview of public university systems, their prevalence, importance, and the challenges they face. The different types of systems – homogenous and heterogeneous – and how they are structured, governed, and operated. This knowledge will be valuable for leaders in understanding the landscape of higher education in the context of their institutions.
Leveraging Scale for Efficiency and Impact
Public university systems have a unique ability to leverage their scale to achieve political, social, and economic goals. Benefits include consolidation and collaboration in areas such as procurement, research administration, payroll, legal counsel, and accreditation. Leaders can identify and implement strategies to maximize efficiency and impact through system-level initiatives.
Navigating Political Dynamics in University Systems
Political dynamics shape public university systems significantly, with roles for governors, legislators, and boards in forming higher education policy and funding. Understanding this landscape and developing strategies for effective advocacy is essential.
Change Management and Leading Transformational Change
Higher education systems face challenges in implementing change due to bureaucratic structures. Effective change management requires a clear vision, strong leadership, and a culture that embraces experimentation and continuous improvement.
Prioritizing Student Success and Addressing State Needs
Aligning higher education with student and state needs is crucial. Leaders can prioritize student success by streamlining processes, improving transferability, and focusing on outcomes that benefit both individuals and society, ensuring institutions contribute to the state's economic and social well-being.
How Public University Systems Work (Or Don’t)
75% of American college students attend institutions within higher education systems. These systems aim to govern and coordinate public higher education within a state, yet effectiveness varies depending on structure, governance, and alignment with state goals.
Structure and Governance Models in Public University Systems
Public university systems vary in structure, affecting their governance and impact. Systems can be homogenous, like the University of California system, where institutions share similar missions, or heterogeneous, like the State University of New York system, which encompasses diverse missions. Governance models differ, with some states having a single board and others multiple boards with distinct responsibilities.
For example, Florida has a Board of Governors for the entire system, while each university has its own Board of Trustees.
Alignment and Collaboration for Higher Education Goals
A key factor in system effectiveness is the alignment between state government, the system, and individual institutions. The governor’s vision should guide the system board, which then aligns institutional goals. Without clear alignment, systems risk fragmentation, duplicated efforts, and resource competition.
Recommendations for Improving Public University Systems
Clarify Higher Purpose and Goals for System-Wide Alignment
Systems should articulate a higher purpose and align with the state's vision for higher education. This alignment enhances decision-making, resource allocation, and collaboration.
Strengthen Leadership and Governance Skills
System leaders need skills to navigate political landscapes, foster collaboration among institutions, and drive strategic change. Professional development focused on system leadership is essential.
Streamline Processes and Foster Collaboration in Higher Education Systems
Systems should streamline processes, reduce redundancy, and foster collaboration. Standardizing data collection, developing common course numbering for transferability, and creating shared service centers are effective strategies.
Promote Data-Driven Decision Making in University Systems
Effective governance relies on consistent, reliable data. Systems should invest in data infrastructure and analytics to support evidence-based decisions on resource allocation, program development, and student success.
Cultivate a Culture of Innovation and Experimentation in Higher Education
Encouraging a culture of innovation across institutions includes providing seed funding for pilot projects, enabling faculty collaboration, and celebrating successful innovations.
By addressing these challenges and implementing these recommendations, public university systems can fulfill their mission of providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable education that meets the needs of students and the state.
Three Key Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards
These takeaways highlight the essential elements for effective leadership and governance within public university systems.
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Define a Higher Purpose
Clarify the system's higher purpose. This purpose serves as a guiding principle for all decisions and actions, providing a shared understanding of the system's ultimate aim. It should transcend individual institutional interests and unite stakeholders around a common vision.
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Align Goals and Plans
Align state goals, state plans, system goals, system plans, and institutional goals and plans. This hierarchical alignment ensures that efforts at all levels are coordinated and contribute to the overall vision and purpose. This framework reinforces the importance of a cohesive system working towards shared objectives.
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Develop Adaptive Leadership
Develop adaptive leadership capabilities across the entire university, not just among those in leadership positions. Adaptive leadership involves fostering a culture where individuals at all levels are empowered to identify challenges, propose solutions, and adapt to changing circumstances.
Read the full transcript at https://changinghighered.com/improving-public-university-systems-at-scale/
#HigherEducation #PublicUniversitySystems #ChangingHigherEd
About Our Podcast Guest
"I believe that success requires strong moral and ethical principles. As Vice President of Executive Search at Greenwood Asher & Associates, LLC, I aspire to live up to this notion by embracing change, building consensus, and establishing unity.
Before joining GA&A, I served as a senior fellow at the National Association of System Heads (NASH). I helped develop a transformation agenda for public university systems and was the founding director of its Systems Center for State Policy.
Well-versed in higher education planning and administration, I have written and presented research on higher-learning systems and taught graduate courses in negotiation.
With a knack for evidence-based approaches to strategic planning, I’m passionate about finding innovative ways to solve critical pain points and attain organizational goals."
Connect with Jim Johnsen on LinkedIn →
About the Host
Dr. Drumm McNaughton is Principal Consultant and CEO of The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience. Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of both U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances.
Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.