Higher Education Innovation That Builds Workforce-Ready Graduates
Release Date: 03/11/2025
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_outline80% 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 realign academic programs with workforce needs and improve graduate outcomes.
Building the Innovation Muscle
- Strategic planning is treated as an annual, living process—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 with Workforce Demands
- Champlain’s Upside-Down Curriculum introduces major-specific coursework in year one.
- Students access internships early, building career experience before graduation.
- Programs are shaped by employer input to match real workforce needs.
Leveraging Employer and Community Partnerships
- Industry partnerships inform curriculum and create pathways to employment.
- Dual enrollment initiatives like Vermont Cybersports expand access and impact.
- Regional collaboration addresses talent shortages and economic development.
Three Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards
- Clarify the North Star – Align planning and programs around a focused mission: preparing students for work, life, and impact.
- Focus Resources Strategically – Prioritize high-value initiatives and say no to what doesn’t serve institutional goals.
- Build Institutional Trust – Innovation happens at the speed of trust. Engage faculty and staff in designing the future.
Higher education leaders have an opportunity to evolve their institutions through intentional planning, faculty-driven innovation, and academic realignment that prepares graduates for today’s—and tomorrow’s—workforce.
Read the transcript on our website: https://changinghighered.com/higher-education-innovation-builds-workforce-ready-graduates/
#HigherEdInnovation #StrategicPlanning #AcademicRealignment #WorkforceReadyGraduates
About Our Podcast Guest
Alex Hernandez is the tenth president of Champlain College, a private independent college in Burlington, VT renowned for its innovative approach to getting students Ready: Ready for Work, Ready for Life, and Ready to Make a Difference. Over eighty percent of Champlain graduates are employed in jobs related to their field of study. Champlain College is Building on Vermont’s Strengths through innovative pathways that prepare students for careers in leading industries and grow local economies. Prior to Champlain, Alex was the Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) and Vice Provost of Online Learning at the University of Virginia. Before that, Alex was a leader in K-12 education, working as a teacher, administrator, and partner of a national foundation. He is a fierce advocate for education opportunity, access, and innovation. He lives in Burlington with his wife Michelle and has twin sons in college.
Connect with Alex Hernandez on LinkedIn →
About the Podcast Host
Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at 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 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.