Episode notes
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.