Higher Education Innovation That Builds Workforce-Ready Graduates
Release Date: 03/11/2025
How Utah State Is Using a Connected Campus to Boost Student Engagement and Persistence
Changing Higher Ed
Digital transformation in higher education often focuses on technology. But for Utah State University, the transformation has been about outcomes: improving retention, strengthening equity, and building scalable systems of support without overhauling infrastructure. In this episode of the , speaks with , about how the institution designed and implemented a connected campus strategy that integrates advising, communications, and academic support into a single mobile-first platform. Drawing on her decades of experience in higher ed and edtech leadership, Eborn shares how USU replaced...
info_outline
Strategies to Help Adult Learners Re-Enroll and Graduate
Changing Higher Ed
How Cross-Sector Partnerships Help Adult Learners Return, Persist, and Complete Degrees With over 41 million adults in the U.S. holding some college credit but no degree, colleges and universities are under pressure to implement effective adult learner enrollment strategies. In this episode of the , Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with about how institutions can re-engage students who have stopped out through cross-sector partnerships that support enrollment, retention, and degree completion. Drawing on their real-world experience in higher education and workforce development, McNaughton and...
info_outline
High Structure Course Design for Student Engagement, Retention, and Success
Changing Higher Ed
Higher education leaders are searching for better ways to engage students, improve retention, and close equity gaps—especially in the wake of COVID-related learning disruptions. In this episode of the podcast, speaks with , Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Teaching Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. They discuss Dr. Shaffer’s book, , which offers a proven framework for transforming student outcomes. High structure course design—built on clarity, repetition, feedback, and engagement—originated in STEM education but is now...
info_outline
Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies for Small Colleges
Changing Higher Ed
Shared services and consolidation strategies are helping struggling small colleges stabilize operations, reduce costs, and pursue sustainable growth—without compromising institutional identity or student outcomes. In this episode of the , host speaks with , about how these approaches are being used to help small colleges strengthen efficiency and financial sustainability. Drawing on his experience helping small colleges modernize their operations through cloud-based student information systems, Duggan explores how shared services, academic partnerships, and digital transformation are...
info_outline
Adding Leadership Development to Academic Curriculum Design in Higher Ed
Changing Higher Ed
While higher education leaders often cite leadership development as a priority, few institutions treat it as a teachable, measurable skill. In this episode of , host speaks with about why leadership education should be integrated into the academic curriculum—and how institutions can implement it effectively. President Emeritus of Tulane University, Cowen shares insights from leading the university through Hurricane Katrina and from his new book, Lead and Succeed, which outlines strategies to develop leadership skills in students and early-career professionals. He dispels the “born...
info_outline
When DEI Is Off the Table: How Higher Ed Leaders Can Still Drive Institutional Change
Changing Higher Ed
Higher education’s approach to DEI is under fire—from political pressure, public skepticism, and internal fatigue. But abandoning DEI isn’t the only option. In this episode of , Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with about how higher ed institutions can continue to drive inclusive institutional change—without relying on traditional DEI frameworks that may no longer be viable. Sturm, author of What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Our Institutions, reframes DEI as a long-term, systems-level strategy rooted in leadership, trust, and organizational learning. She introduces the concept...
info_outline
Aligning Higher Ed with Workforce Needs and Nontraditional Learners
Changing Higher Ed
Higher education is facing a growing disconnect between traditional academic pathways and the needs of today’s learners and employers. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of Who Needs College Anymore?, about how institutions can realign academic programs to better serve nontraditional students and meet workforce demands. Drawing from her experience supporting over 1,200 colleges and regional systems, deLaski explores how modular credentials, skills-based learning, and short-term...
info_outline
Confronting the Storm: Resistance to Change and Current Attacks on Higher Education
Changing Higher Ed
Higher education faces increasing external pressures and diminishing public trust—creating an urgent need for institutional adaptation. In this episode of the , speaks with , former president of Macalister College and author of "," about why resistance to change has made colleges and universities particularly vulnerable to current attacks. Drawing on his 17 years of presidential experience and current perspective as a Harvard visiting professor, Rosenberg analyzes the economic, political, and structural factors undermining public confidence in higher education while offering candid...
info_outline
Strategic Affiliation in Higher Education: What Colleges Can Learn from The Colleges of Law and TCS Education System
Changing Higher Ed
Strategic affiliation in higher education offers an alternative path for institutional sustainability—one that maintains mission and autonomy while accessing shared infrastructure and support. In this episode of the podcast, speaks with about his institution’s affiliation with The Community Solution Education System (TCS) and what other leaders should know before pursuing similar strategies. Drawing on his experience as both a college president and former system executive, Nehmer shares how the affiliation was structured, how accreditation and compliance were handled, and what shared...
info_outline
Higher Education Strategic Planning That Drives Growth and Faculty Buy-In
Changing Higher Ed
isn't just about setting goals—it's about building the kind of stakeholder engagement and leadership alignment that can drive lasting institutional change. In this episode of , speaks with , President of the College of Charleston, about how a collaborative planning process helped increase enrollment, launch new academic schools, and move the college toward national university status. Drawing on his background in both industry and higher education, Dr. Hsu shares insights into balancing urgency with collaboration, the importance of faculty engagement, and the realities of leading strategic...
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.