Russ Kavalhuna: The Future of College, NIL, and Leadership in Higher Education | LZ Granderson Show

In this episode of The LZ Granderson Show, LZ sits down with Russ Kavalhuna, President of Western Michigan University, for an in-depth conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing higher education today. From his personal journey as a WMU student to his role leading the university, President Kavalhuna shares insights on how colleges must adapt in an era of rising costs, evolving technology, and shifting student needs. They dive into issues ranging from AI in the classroom to investing in leadership development, as well as the growing impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals on collegiate sports. The conversation also explores the importance of media literacy, building trust in institutions, and what legacy President Kavalhuna hopes to leave at WMU. ⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to The LZ Granderson Show!4:38 Russ Kavalhuna Joins The Show7:55 President Kavalhuna's Experience as WMU Student10:48 Returning to WMU20:00 The Role of WMU's President23:05 Concerns of Educators in Today's Society27:55 Students’ Evolving Behavior with Technology & AI30:15 Developing Leadership Skills33:25 Why Is College Getting More Expensive?37:10 Relationship with Higher Education44:10 Keeping Champion Coaches50:20 NIL’s Impact on Collegiate Sports54:15 Enrollment & Professional Industry Changes1:00:55 Media Literacy & Trusting Sources1:06:28 President Kavalhuna’s Legacy Goal From ESPN and CNN to ABC.and The L.A. Times, LZ Granderson hosts bold conversations that meet the beating pulse of entertainment, sports, pop culture, and beyond. Each week, LZ sits down with a compelling guest—from athletes and artists to activists and icons—for unfiltered, thought-provoking dialogue about the stories shaping our world. Emmy award-winning journalist and cultural commentator LZ Granderson is insightful, witty, and always real. This is the podcast where culture gets a conscience and nothing is off-limits. For more about LZ and his work check out: http://lzgrandersonshow.org/ Connect on Social MediaTwitter/X: https://x.com/lzgranderson?lang=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lzgranderson/?hl=enThreads: https://www.threads.com/@lzgranderson?invite=4Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@1lzgrandersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/LZ-Granderson-100057700284324/