How to Break the Academic Silo Mindset

What’s stopping higher education from reaching its full potential?In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz sits down with Dr. Beronda Montgomery—biologist, author of Lessons from Plants, and former Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean at Grinnell College—to unpack why silos persist in colleges and universities, and how those divisions hold institutions back from true innovation and collective progress.Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Montgomery explores how plant systems offer surprising insights into human leadership, institutional design, and the kind of relationship-driven change higher ed needs now more than ever. From rethinking outdated reward models to building systems that prioritize collaboration over prestige, this conversation offers a hopeful blueprint for transforming higher education into a true ecosystem of shared success.In this episode:- Why silos persist in academic institutions—and what they really cost- What plants can teach us about leadership and cooperation- How institutions can rebuild trust and redesign for impact