AI Can Help You Think Better - But It Cannot Think for You

Ben Telesca from Sul Ross State University shares how empathetic leadership, smart adaptation, and practical career guidance can change the way students see higher ed.This is the story of how a student affairs leader navigates AI, campus conflict, and the real value of college - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it.If you lead people, serve students, or build programs in a fast-changing environment, this conversation will give you a clearer way to think about flexibility, judgment, and long-term impact.Ben Telesca, Vice President of Student Affairs at Sul Ross State University, has spent years working at the intersection of student support, campus culture, and institutional responsibility. In this conversation, he breaks down how higher ed is changing, why AI should be used as a tool not a replacement for thinking, and why students need more than a degree - they need direction.Ben also opens up about the lessons that shaped his leadership style, including a painful decision he had to own after removing a student based on incomplete information. That moment becomes a sharp reminder that good leadership is not just about rules - it is about slowing down, asking better questions, and being willing to correct yourself.We also get a more personal look at Ben's energy, family life, and what he values most outside the office. From his two grown sons serving in the Navy and the Department of Justice to gardening and growing cantaloupe, he brings the same grounded perspective to life that he brings to leadership: enjoy the moment, stay curious, and do work that helps people grow.Essential listening if you care about student success, leadership under pressure, and building organizations that respond well when the world changes faster than the playbook.Timestamps0:00 - Meeting Ben Telesca in Alpine, Texas and the Student Affairs role1:50 - How Ben found his place in higher education through campus recreation2:21 - The daily reality of campus troubleshooting and student conduct4:08 - How student culture has changed since the late 80s and early 90s5:14 - Higher ed's fast adaptation to AI and faculty training6:15 - AI as a tool for thinking, not a replacement for problem-solving10:00 - Why understanding the value of higher ed matters now10:27 - Financial literacy and the hidden range inside a kinesiology degree12:17 - Why marketing, theater, and other majors open more doors than people think16:13 - Building community through events, engagement, and learning communities17:42 - Why Ben still loves the work and wants students to outgrow the need for services18:53 - Family and what Ben hopes his sons remember21:54 - Empathy, flexibility, and leadership that teaches instead of just punishes24:15 - Owning a tough mistake and learning from a wrongful decision26:47 - Life outside the suit: cycling, gardening, and slowing down28:56 - Advice for higher ed colleagues navigating uncertainty and change30:18 - Where to find Sul Ross State University online and on social mediaAbout Ben TelescaBen Telesca is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Sul Ross State University. He leads with a student-first mindset shaped by years of campus recreation, conduct, and engagement work, and he brings a practical, empathetic approach to higher education leadership.Website: https://www.sulross.eduAbout Hart & HustleHart & Hustle brings you conversations with leaders who care deeply about service, people, and purpose. Each episode highlights practical ideas you can use to lead with more clarity, empathy, and impact.#NonprofitLeadership #HigherEdLeadership #StudentSuccess