15. Disrupting the Status Quo in Academia: A Conversation with Bradley Fuster

In this conversation, Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner interviews Dr. Bradley Fuster, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at San Francisco Bay University. They discuss the concept of challenger brands in higher education, exploring how these institutions aim to disrupt traditional models and prioritize student success. Fuster shares insights from his experience in various educational settings, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by higher education today. The discussion also touches on the absence of tenure at SFBU, the inefficiencies of traditional institutions, and the innovative practices that challenger brands employ to enhance student learning and engagement.   Takeaways Challenger brands aim to disrupt traditional higher education models. Higher education is facing a crisis with high dropout rates. San Francisco Bay University focuses on student success and innovative practices. The absence of tenure allows for more flexibility in faculty governance. Curriculum must adapt to the rapidly changing job market. Challenger brands can serve as models for traditional institutions.