AAUA: Creating the Future of Higher Education

di American Association of University Administrators

Stagione 2026

AAUA 2026 - Dr. Kate Legnetti | Assistant Dean, Academic and Registration Services, NYU Steinhardt

Why Staff Governance Matters in Higher Ed | Staff Councils, Leadership & Equity Who really knows how a college or university runs? In this episode of Creating the Future of Higher Education, the podcast of the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA), host and AAUA Board member Dr. Tim Jansa talks with Dr. Kate Legnetti of NYU Steinhardt about one of the most overlooked drivers of institutional success: professional staff governance. Faculty governance is well established, but advisors, student affairs professionals, and other administrators often have little formal say in decisions, even though they hold deep institutional knowledge and work with students every day. Drawing on her research across five institutions and her own experience, Dr. Legnetti explains why the lack of a clear definition of "staff" weakens leadership, and how well-designed staff councils and shared governance structures build professional confidence, connect people across campus, improve retention, and give women and other underrepresented groups a seat where decisions are made. She describes what successful staff councils need: senior champions she calls Administrative Supporters and Liaisons (ASLs), real recognition for service, and dependable support from managers. She also shows how a "fair process" approach to change, built on clear expectations, genuine engagement and transparency, helps leaders roll out initiatives without demoralizing the frontline staff who carry them out. Presidents, provosts, deans, department chairs and managers at every level will come away with practical ideas for building relational capital and treating staff as true partners in shaping the future of higher education. KEYWORDS: professional staff governance, higher education leadership, staff councils in higher education, shared governance higher ed, higher ed administration, university staff engagement, staff retention in higher education, change management in higher education, fair process leadership, relational capital, women in higher education leadership, student affairs professionals, academic advising leadership, AAUA podcast, Creating the Future of Higher Education

S2026 · E8

5 ott 2026

34:59

AAUA 2026 - Paul Lavoie | VP of Innovation & Applied Technology, University of New Haven

Career Readiness in Higher Education: Building ‘Better Than Ready’ Graduates In this episode of “Creating the Future of Higher Education” from the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA), host Dr. Sandra Affenito and co-moderator Dr. Tim Jansa talk with Paul Lavoie, Vice President of Innovation and Applied Technology at the University of New Haven and former Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut, about how colleges and universities can truly prepare students for the future of work. Lavoie introduces the “Better Than Ready” model—built on industry-informed curriculum, experiential learning, durable skills, and transforming career centers into job placement hubs—and shares how the University of New Haven is partnering with industry through initiatives like the Elevation Center and a regional consortium of institutions. Higher education leaders and administrators will gain practical insights on career readiness, workforce development, breaking down silos, and designing an ROI-driven student experience that resonates with employers and students alike. This conversation invites listeners to engage more deeply with AAUA’s community, including its national conference and ongoing professional development opportunities for academic leaders.

S2026 · E7

15 set 2026

31:59

AAUA 2026 - Dr. Kevin McClure | Univ. of North Carolina Wilmington | Author of "The Caring University"

Creating the Caring University: Higher Education Leadership, Employee Well-Being, and Organizational Change In this AAUA podcast episode, Dr. Kevin McClure, distinguished professor of college leadership and organizational change at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and author of "The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace after the Great Resignation," joins host Dr. Tim Jansa and AAUA President & CEO Dr. Sandra Affenito to explore how institutions can reimagine the higher education workplace, strengthen the employee value proposition, and truly become learning organizations. Speaking directly to college and university leaders, department chairs, deans, and senior administrators, McClure unpacks why employee engagement, well-being, psychological safety, and people-centered leadership are essential to realizing the higher education value proposition—and how “tempered radicals” and small wins can drive meaningful organizational change across fragmented campuses. Listeners will gain practical insights on breaking down silos, leading through discomfort with intellectual humility, and aligning student success with a healthier, more sustainable workplace for faculty and staff. This episode is part of AAUA’s 2026 series leading up to its national conference at Cleveland State University, and is an ideal listen for higher ed professionals interested in leadership development, organizational change, and the future of higher education—as well as those considering joining AAUA or attending the annual conference to deepen their impact.

S2026 · E6

25 ago 2026

40:31

AAUA 2026 - Dr. Timothy Renick | Exec. Director, National Institute for Student Success

Data-Driven Student Success in Higher Ed: Dr. Timothy Renick on Equity, ROI, and Change Management In this AAUA 2026 podcast episode, Dr. Timothy Renick, Executive Director of the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) at Georgia State University, joins host Matt Roche and AAUA President & CEO Dr. Sandra Affenito to explore how colleges and universities can dramatically improve student success, retention, and completion rates while advancing equity and strengthening the higher education value proposition. Drawing on Georgia State’s nationally recognized record of boosting graduation rates by 70% and closing equity gaps across race, ethnicity, and income, Dr. Renick explains how institutions can leverage data, predictive analytics, proactive advising, and process redesign—even in restrictive DEI and regulatory environments—to achieve measurable ROI and more just outcomes. Geared toward faculty, department chairs, deans, student affairs leaders, and senior administrators, this episode offers practical insights on change management, breaking down silos, using evidence-based practices, and crafting compelling student success narratives that resonate on campus and with external stakeholders. Listeners will also get a preview of Dr. Renick’s upcoming AAUA annual conference keynote at Cleveland State University, making this a must-hear conversation for anyone committed to building more effective, equitable, and financially sustainable institutions. Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/Ap00NE5Dr3Y

S2026 · E5

13 ago 2026

32:27

AAUA 2026 - Conference Preview: Realizing the Higher Education Value Proposition

AAUA 2026 Conference Preview: Realizing the Higher Education Value Proposition In this episode of Creating the Future of Higher Education, host and AAUA Board Member Dr. Tim Jansa welcomes Matt Roche (fellow AAUA Board Member and Conference Chair), Dr. Laura Bloomberg (President, Cleveland State University), and Mr. Eytan Wurman (Founder & CEO of CommonTime Pathways) for an insider preview of the AAUA National Conference in Cleveland, October 19-20, 2026. Together, they explore the theme “Realizing the Higher Education Value Proposition” and discuss how college and university leaders can respond to the enrollment and demographic cliffs, public skepticism about higher education, tight budgets, and an increasingly AI-enabled world while keeping institutions mission-centered and human-focused. Listeners will hear about a dynamic presidential panel, keynote speaker Dr. Tim Renick on data-informed student success and retention, innovative leadership development and succession planning models, and fresh enrollment strategies that elevate artistic intelligence and the arts as powerful drivers of institutional resilience. Aimed at higher education administrators, faculty leaders, and aspiring managers, this episode invites listeners to rethink the value proposition of higher education and gain practical ideas to strengthen organizations, support staff and students, and lead meaningful change on their campuses. Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/KpDriCQpZig⁠

S2026 · E4

13 ago 2026

29:15

AAUA 2026 - Col. Chris Richie (USMC Ret.) | Director, HR Development, Auburn University

How Auburn University Built a Campus-Wide Leadership Culture | Aspire Auburn with Col. Chris Richie How can a college or university become a true learning organization for its people—not just its students? In this episode of the AAUA 26 podcast, executive coach and AAUA board member Dr. Tim Jansa talks with Colonel Chris Richie, Director of Human Resource Development at Auburn University, about the design and impact of the Aspire Auburn leadership development program. Drawing on his 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and his experience in higher education leadership, Chris Richie explains how Auburn is closing the long-standing gap between when employees become supervisors and when they receive leadership development. He walks through the four program levels—Leading Self, Leading People, Leading Teams, and Leading the Organization—and shows how this values-based leadership framework is embedded into performance management, core values, and the university’s strategic plan. Listeners will learn how Aspire Auburn: Provides leadership development for faculty, staff, and administrators at all levels Integrates university core values (integrity, respect, excellence) into everyday leadership practice Uses cross-functional peer circles to break down silos and foster campus-wide collaboration Turns a voluntary leadership program into a powerful engine for culture change and employee engagement Creates measurable ripples of impact on student success, employee experience, and institutional reputation Whether you are a department chair, dean, program director, mid-level manager, or an aspiring leader in higher education, this conversation offers practical insights on: Building sustainable leadership development programs in higher education Translating military leadership principles into a university context Connecting leadership training to strategic goals and KPIs Designing leadership initiatives that are more than “one-off workshops” If you’re interested in higher education leadership development, organizational culture change, and values-driven leadership on your campus, this episode will give you concrete ideas to adapt and apply in your own institution. Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/f4REun7pB_0

S2026 · E3

13 ago 2026

31:03

AAUA 2026 - Dr. John Comerford | President, Otterbein University

In this episode, Dr. John Comerford, President of Otterbein University, joins host Matt Roche for a candid, forward-looking conversation about how institutions can reclaim the true value of higher education beyond rankings and prestige. Drawing on his student affairs roots and presidential experience, Comerford unpacks the ROI debate, making a compelling case for the breadth and adaptability of liberal arts degrees, especially in the social sciences and humanities. He details Otterbein’s innovative responses to rising costs and demographic pressures, including debt-free tuition for Pell-eligible students, the Otterbein Advantage Partnership that links employers, scholarships, and internships, and the Otterbein Ready program that embeds internships, professional development, and “adulting 101” into the student experience. Comerford also introduces the Coalition for the Common Good with Antioch University as a new model for collaborative adult education and shared services, and reflects on the dangers of elitism in higher ed and the leadership courage required to chart a different path. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring and current higher education leaders who are wrestling with enrollment cliffs, affordability, mission drift, and the challenge of building institutions that genuinely serve the common good. Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/s0th6B9HIZw⁠

S2026 · E2

13 ago 2026

32:00

AAUA 2026 - Rasheem Rooke | Assistant Vice President, United Negro College Fund

In this AAUA podcast episode, President & CEO, Dr. Sandra Affenito and AAUA Board Member Matt Roche speak with Rasheem Rooke, Assistant Vice President for Scholarships and Programs at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), writer, educator, and author of Thriving in College: 10 Real-World Lessons for College Success. Framed by AAUA’s annual conference theme, “Realizing the Higher Education Value Proposition,” the conversation explores how institutions can more effectively demonstrate and deliver the long-term value of a college education. Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/Tjh_-QUR1Wk⁠ Rooke traces his own path as a low-income, first-generation student and student affairs professional, then challenges narrow ROI narratives that privilege only a few “practical” majors. He and Roche discuss data on the lifetime earnings premium of a bachelor’s degree, the power of liberal arts and humanities to build adaptable leaders, and the central role of student support services, career services, and co-curricular engagement in student success, persistence, and social mobility. They also examine how colleges and universities can better control the narrative about value—through strategic use of TikTok, Instagram, and student-centered web design, stronger alumni storytelling, and deeper partnerships with K–12 and community organizations. The episode offers concrete insights for higher education leaders seeking to improve graduation rates, equity in outcomes, and stakeholder trust, and sets the stage for deeper exploration of these themes at AAUA’s national conference in October.

S2026 · E1

13 ago 2026

42:58

Stagione 2024

AAUA 2024 - The Next Frontier | Dr. Vistasp Karbhari: 2024 AAUA Conference Presentation

On the final day of the AAUA conference, Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, a Professor at the University of Texas Arlington, shared his thoughts on AI and the Future of Higher Education: Enabler or Destroyer? While the focus of his talk was AI, Dr. Karbhari addressed whether we, in higher ed, are willing to make the changes that will pave the way for a future where technology empowers graduates to thrive in a rapidly converging world, or if we will allow ourselves to lose relevance and leadership. Dr. Karbhari is introduced by AAUA Board Member Colin Coyne. To learn more about AAUA, go to https://aaua.org/

S2024 · E9

17 ago 2026

49:13

AAUA 2024 - The Next Frontier | Teresa Lubbers: 2024 AAUA Conference Presentation

Teresa Lubbers, President of the Sagamore Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana, was the featured speaker on the final day of the AAUA 2024 conference. The Institute was founded as a think tank that moves ideas into action. The institute has a network of scholars, policy experts, and innovators to advance innovative solutions to the world’s biggest problems. Lubbers is speaking on the topic of “Moving Toward 2040: Higher Education’s Role in a Changing Economy” based on a recent study by the Sagamore Institute. We join Lubbers as she begins her remarks. For more information on AAUA, go to https://aaua.org/, and for The Sagamore Institute, go to https://sagamoreinstitute.org/

S2024 · E8

17 ago 2026

32:28

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