HigherEdJobs Podcast

An executive search consultant and former chief human resources officer explains how to build simple habits that keep your resume current, so you're never scrambling to reconstruct years of accomplishments. Recording wins while they're fresh, maintaining a master resume you tailor for different roles, scheduling quick quarterly updates, and keeping your LinkedIn profile consistent can help you stay ready for your next opportunity whenever it comes.

Dr. Dianne Valdivia, associate vice-provost of human resources and adjunct professor at Miami-Dade College, joins the podcast to discuss what it takes to retain talented staff in higher ed, from building supervisor-employee trust to using "stay interviews" instead of waiting until an employee is already out the door.

Dr. Ilene Crawford, executive coach and former provost, joins the podcast to discuss whether higher ed professionals can advance into mid- or senior-level roles without pursuing a traditional management track, and what that path might look like.

Douglas Haynes, professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and author of "Teaching Toward Slow Hope: Place-Based Learning in College and Beyond," joins the podcast to discuss how colleges and universities can help students connect their education to purpose, community and belonging. He examines the growing emphasis on career readiness in higher education and explains how place-based and community-based learning, including Northland College's Superior Connections program, can help students build relationships, find meaning and see new possibilities for their futures.

A former dean and psychologist explains how to negotiate fringe benefits and campus resources when starting a research role without full salary support. Understanding how university budgets are structured, building a clear rationale for each request, and framing the conversation as collaborative rather than transactional can help you set yourself up for success from day one.

John Festervand, a higher education advancement professional and executive producer of the documentary An Open Door, joins the podcast to talk about storytelling as a skill for every higher ed professional --not just those in marketing or communications. Building on his experience producing a documentary about Dr. Temple Grandin and years of donor engagement, he shares how to identify and elevate the stories happening on campus, why storytelling is central to leadership and advocacy, and how job seekers can use it to stand out in cover letters and interviews. 

A mediator and HR leader shares how to ask the right questions when a restructure feels shrouded in secrecy, and how to rebuild trust while processing the disappointment. Staying professional, seeking support, and methodically planning next steps can help you move forward without burning bridges.

The HigherEdJobs Podcast returns for season 6 with an Ask the Expert episode, joined once again by Dr. Emilio Ulloa, associate chief diversity officer for MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) affairs and professor of psychology at San Diego State University, to address how faculty can plan for the first part of the semester. He offers a timeline for getting organized early, and shares strategies for setting expectations, building routines, and staying ahead as the semester gets underway.

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dan Griffith, mediator, lawyer, and HR leader, addresses what to do when you suspect age discrimination played a role in a hiring or restructuring decision at your institution. Be sure to read the accompanying article, Am I a Victim of Age Discrimination? Separating Facts from Beliefs.

In this episode, Dr. Patrick Brugh, director of the Center for Staff Life Design at Johns Hopkins University, talks about how life design -- an approach originally built for students -- is now helping staff figure out where they want to go, who can help them get there, and why they should stay.

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dr. Emilio Ulloa, associate diversity officer for MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) Affairs and professor of psychology at San Diego State University, addresses how tenure-track faculty should approach the third-year review. He touches on points from his article Navigating the Make-Or-Break-It Third Year Review and explains why reframing the review as a diagnostic checkpoint, treating feedback as data, and balancing pride with humility can help faculty stay on track and course-correct before the formal review arrives.

In this episode, Dr. Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explains how colleges and universities can better support student mental health through stronger campus-wide systems and more empowered practitioners. She examines how institutional silos create friction for students navigating support services, what faculty and staff can do to have more meaningful conversations before defaulting to referrals, and how institutions can use student voices and low-cost strategies to identify and address gaps in care.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Tontz, assistant professor at Arizona State University, and Dr. Monteigne Long, director of veteran and military services for the Texas A&M University System, return to discuss Military Family Appreciation Month and what campuses can do to meaningfully recognize and celebrate military-connected students and their families.

In this episode Dr. Angel Pérez continues the conversation from part one, getting more personal about what it takes to lead in admissions -- burnout, boundaries, and balancing institutional needs with student access -- while reminding listeners why the work still matters.

Dr. Angel Pérez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), joins the HigherEdJobs Podcast to discuss college access, affordability, and enrollment challenges, and how admissions teams -- and entire campuses -- support students and shape their experiences.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Michelle Miller, professor of psychological sciences at Northern Arizona University, explores how attention shapes memory and learning, discusses the limits of “catching up” after distraction, and shares research-backed strategies for staying engaged, managing distractions, and supporting long-term student success.

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Miller of Northern Arizona University breaks down the science behind attention and how it shapes student learning and success. She explains how today’s constant distractions affect focus, what happens when students lose attention during key moments, and how that impacts memory and long-term understanding. The conversation examines how faculty can approach engagement in their classrooms and how institutions can better support attention as part of broader student success efforts.

Mark Coldren, leadership and engagement specialist with CUPA-HR, returns to discuss temporary roles in higher education, sharing how professionals can evaluate risk, reward, and context when considering short-term opportunities as part of a long-term career strategy.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Tontz, clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University, and Dr. Monteigne Long, director of Veteran and Military Services for the Texas A&M University System, discuss their edited collection, "Supporting Military-Connected College Students: Applying Theory to Student Affairs Practice." They explore how support for military-connected students has evolved beyond benefits and compliance to a more holistic, student-centered approach. The conversation highlights the growing and diverse population of military-connected learners, the importance of co-production in designing effective campus services, and how institutions can use assessment not as a measure of worth, but as a tool for continuous improvement.

In this episode, Mark Coldren, Leadership & Engagement Specialist at CUPA-HR and retired associate vice president for human resources at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), discusses how higher education professionals can pursue internal career growth without damaging relationships. He shares helpful ways to  time conversations, build credibility, and navigate opportunities while maintaining trust and long-term career momentum.

In this episode, Dr. Deborah J. Cohan discusses her  HigherEdJobs article, “General Education Deserves a Facelift.” She shares why general education is often seen as something to “get out of the way,” how it shapes student growth beyond the classroom, and how faculty and administrators can reframe its purpose.

What does the day-to-day work of a university chancellor actually involve? In this episode, Dr. Austin Lane, Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, joins the HigherEdJobs Podcast to discuss the responsibilities and realities of leading a major public institution.With more than three decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Lane reflects on his journey from student-facing counseling roles to executive leadership. He discusses the duties of the role, including engaging with students, faculty, staff, boards, and community stakeholders, while balancing the personal and professional demands of senior leadership. He also shares perspectives for professionals aspiring to, or already serving in, leadership roles on staying grounded in a student-centered mission while guiding an institution forward.

What does it mean to be “on” in high-stakes moments like interviews, job talks, and presentations? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Moser, communication expert, performance coach, and professor of practice at Northwestern University, discusses how nerves affect performance and why preparation, audience focus, and flexible storytelling help professionals stay clear, conversational, and confident when the pressure is on.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Christopher D. Lee discusses how candidates should approach salary questions during interviews. He explains why preparation, market research, and understanding total compensation are essential, and advises candidates to avoid naming a single number too early, consider offering a range if pressed, and remain focused on role fit while negotiating thoughtfully.

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Brennan returns to the podcast to talk about heart-first leadership and what empathy looks like in action in higher education workplaces. Inspired by his article, “How To Be the Leader Everyone Actually Wants To Work For,” he shares several ways leaders can support overwhelmed teams and build psychological safety on campus. The conversation introduces the LASER method as a framework for listening to, acknowledging, and following up on concerns, offering higher ed professionals realistic strategies for improving morale, retention, and day-to-day team culture.

In this episode, Leah Jackson, assistant director of editorial strategy at HigherEdJobs, joins the podcast to discuss keeping momentum after being hired. Drawing from her articles “4 Ways to Prepare for Your New Job” and “Starting a New Job? Consider These Strategies for Success,” the conversation focuses on how higher education professionals can prepare for a new role and carry that energy into the early days on the job, from onboarding basics and understanding campus culture to building relationships, staying organized, and setting realistic goals for the first weeks and months. The discussion also references the article "How to Introduce Yourself" by HigherEdJobs contributor Justin Zackal.

In this episode, Mark Need, venture legal analyst in residence at IU Ventures and professor and clinical director at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, joins the podcast to discuss how law degrees translate into careers across higher education. Mark shares guidance for JDs who want to work with students but struggle to break into higher ed without traditional academic experience, including how to position their skills in the hiring process. He also explains how legal training fits naturally into experiential learning programs, law schools, general counsel offices, and broader university administration. The conversation offers insight for legally trained professionals exploring ways to build student-facing careers on campus.

In this episode, HigherEdJobs contributor Joe Brennan’s article, “What I Learned From My Worst Interview Ever,” prompts a conversation about power dynamics, red flags, and professionalism in academic hiring. Andy and Kelly unpack how hostile interview behaviors often signal deeper cultural issues, why inappropriate questions matter, and how candidates can protect their confidence while assessing fit. Together, they explore  strategies for navigating difficult interviews and reframing bad experiences as valuable insight into whether an institution is truly worth joining.

In part two of the conversation, Dr. José Antonio Bowen and Dr. Edward Watson continue exploring how higher education can move from uncertainty toward thoughtful use of AI. They reflect on where human relationships still matter most, how AI can support expert thinking, and what responsible experimentation might look like as campuses adapt.

In this episode, Dr. José Antonio Bowen and Dr. Edward Watson join the podcast to discuss how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and faculty roles in higher education. They reflect on faculty anxiety, grief, and experimentation as campuses adapt to rapid change, and explain how AI is beginning to shift our relationship with knowledge, thinking, and creativity. The conversation also looks into what responsible AI literacy really means, and why campuses may need to move faster and more flexibly than traditional curriculum cycles allow.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR leader Kathleen Hermacinski weighs in on whether it’s appropriate to reach out to someone who previously held a role you’re considering. She talks through when that outreach can be helpful, how to approach it respectfully, and why asking permission or being mindful of existing relationships matters in higher education’s close-knit environment. Kathleen also explains the limits of relying on a former incumbent’s perspective, including bias, timing, and legal considerations, and why that insight should be treated as just one piece of the picture. Andy and Kelly add context around implicit bias, professionalism, and how much candidates can realistically learn outside the formal interview process.

This second part of the year-end roundtable continues the conversation with the HigherEdJobs editorial team as they dig into a few more pieces that resonated this year. The group talks about supporting military-affiliated students during major transitions and why awareness across campus matters just as much as policy. They also reflect on emotional intelligence in moments when students question their place in higher education, drawing on advising and classroom experiences. The episode wraps up with a broader conversation about career transitions, belonging, and the importance of showing empathy and grace, both to others and to ourselves.

In this end-of-the-year roundtable episode, members of the HigherEdJobs editorial team reflect on several standout articles and conversations from the past year. They discuss burnout and well-being across higher education, including why self-care looks different depending on role, career stage, and personal responsibilities. The group also explores the idea of the “inner taskmaster,” sharing how unrealistic expectations and productivity guilt show up for many professionals. The conversation closes with a look at supporting military-affiliated students, focusing on how clear policies and campus awareness can make a meaningful difference during major transitions.

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dr. Yi Hao and Dr. Mallory Neil respond to a listener’s question about requesting support to attend a professional conference when funding is limited. They discuss how to frame the conversation around shared goals, prepare a clear and realistic proposal, and think through alternatives when travel is not an option. Yi and Mallory also explore options such as presenting, volunteering, virtual attendance, regional events, and external funding. The episode also considers the issue from a supervisor’s perspective, including transparency, equity, retention, and the role professional development plays in long-term growth within higher education.

In this episode, Dr. Laura Parson, associate professor of educational and organizational leadership at North Dakota State University, joins the podcast to talk about how empathy can shape daily life in higher education. Dr. Parson explains what it means to understand someone’s perspective, how self-awareness influences our reactions, and why timing matters when supporting students and colleagues. She also shares practical moments from campus life, including knowing when to pause, listen, and set a boundary. The conversation offers guidance for higher ed professionals who want to create a more supportive environment for the people they work with and serve.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Kathleen Hermacinski joins the show to discuss how candidates can assess an institution’s approach to work-life balance without asking the question directly. She shares different ways to inquire about weekly rhythms, busy seasons, team support, and leadership modeling. Kathleen also explains what inconsistencies, vague answers, or “family” language may signal, and why observing the communication style during the search offers important clues.

In this episode, Dr. Yi Hao, director of education and assessment at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, and Dr. Mallory Neal, director of industry and alumni engagement at Clemson University, discuss the “good enough for now” approach and what it means for professionals building careers in higher education. They talk about finding momentum without rushing, recognizing when adaptability turns into overload, and giving yourself room to pause without losing direction. Yi and Mallory also outline ways to identify skills worth developing, draw on campus networks, and use daily work as a source of growth. The conversation highlights practical steps that help early and mid-career professionals move forward with clarity and intention.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR leader Kathleen Hermacinski returns to tackle a question many professionals hesitate to ask out loud: Who supports HR when HR supports everyone else? She talks through how her team uses daily “tailgates” to check in, think through tough situations, and build a stronger department culture. Kathleen also shares how to lean on peers across campus, what to keep in mind legally when talking through sensitive issues, and why outside networks can be a lifeline for HR professionals at small or mid-size institutions. The conversation digs into the difference between venting and real strategy, and how leaders can set the tone by showing that it’s okay to seek help.

This Veterans Day episode revisits conversations from the HigherEdJobs Podcast archive to explore how veterans continue their service within higher education. Through clips featuring student affairs leaders, HR professionals, faculty, and campus advocates, the episode highlights the lived experiences of veterans working and studying in higher ed, and the ways institutions can support their growth. Listeners will hear about creating strong peer networks, navigating the transition from military roles into campus leadership, building veteran-to-career pathways, and recognizing the value that military-connected professionals bring to academic communities. The episodes highlight ways institutions can translate appreciation into resources, relationships, and long-term investment, ensuring that veterans are supported not just in transition, but throughout their work and learning in higher education.Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve in our campus communities and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Jeni Hart, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate studies at the University of Missouri, reflects on what it really means to be a scholar. She discusses how early experiences in her career shaped her understanding of credibility in academic spaces and how assumptions about institutional prestige can influence whose work is taken seriously. Dr. Hart encourages a wider view of scholarship that recognizes collaboration, teaching, mentorship, professional practice, and lived experience alongside traditional research. She also shares practical ways faculty, student affairs professionals, and graduate students can acknowledge their own contributions and support others in doing the same.

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Moore, dean of students at Naropa University, joins the conversation in celebration of Careers in Student Affairs Month. Drawing from nearly two decades in higher education, Dr. Moore discusses how student affairs professionals are adapting to serve post-traditional learners, balance rising care team demands, and use technology like chatbots to build connection at scale. He shares how curiosity, compassion, and innovation help sustain both staff and students -- and why creating meaningful community remains at the core of student affairs work.

In this Ask the Expert episode, a listener asks how to navigate a job search when a hiring process is suddenly paused. HR expert and longtime HigherEdJobs contributor Christopher Lee returns to explain why searches can stall, what that means for candidates, and when it makes sense to reapply. He shares several ways to follow up respectfully, keep perspective, and stay confident through the ups and downs of the search process.

In this episode, longtime HigherEdJobs contributor Justin Zackal’s article, “The One Question That Higher Ed Interviewers Love to Hear,” sparks a conversation between co-hosts Andy Hibel and Kelly Cherwin. Together, they explore why the questions candidates ask at the end of an interview can be just as impactful as their answers, offering insight on how thoughtful questioning helps reveal institutional culture, assess fit, and create a genuine, two-way dialogue.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Chris Lee returns to answer a listener’s question about managing interview anxiety and improving performance. Drawing on his experience training over 1,000 HR professionals, Chris explains why feeling nervous is completely normal, and even a sign that you care about the opportunity. He shares practical strategies for preparation, mental rehearsal, and emotional control, emphasizing that authenticity often makes a stronger impression than perfection. As Chris reminds listeners, committees don’t hire the person who interviews best -- they hire the person best prepared to meet the needs of the position.

In this continuation, executive search expert Gail Freeman shares the interview lessons you don’t often hear. She explains why professionalism still matters on Zoom, how a timely thank-you note can influence decisions, and what separates “star” candidates from the rest. Freeman also reflects on resilience in the face of rejection and why clarity and focus bring more meaning to a job search. Her perspective offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how recruiters think -- and how small, genuine choices can shape big outcomes.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Kathleen Hermacinski returns to weigh in on a listener’s question: how do hiring managers view the “Open to Work” label on LinkedIn? She explains when the tag can make you more visible to recruiters, when it might spark awkward conversations, and how generational perspectives shape how it’s perceived. Kathleen also shares examples of candidates who’ve used the label successfully, tips for job seekers just entering the workforce, and why context and communication matter when signaling you’re ready for new opportunities.

In this episode, Paige Swanstein, co-founder of the Student Basic Needs Coalition, shares how her own struggles with food and housing insecurity in college grew into a national movement. She explains how SBNC empowers students, partners with campuses, and tackles stigma while connecting thousands to vital resources. Paige’s story highlights why meeting students’ basic needs is essential to their success in higher education.

In this episode, Alan Kellogg, associate athletic director at the University of Louisville and retired U.S. Army Colonel, shares how three decades of military leadership prepared him for a second career in college athletics. Kellogg reflects on his transition from commanding troops to supporting student-athletes, offering insight into the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of an athletic department. He highlights the skills veterans bring to higher education, the entry points for those looking to break into athletics, and the small details that make candidates stand out in competitive searches. Whether you’re a job seeker exploring careers in athletics or a veteran considering how your service experience translates to higher ed, Kellogg’s story offers valuable lessons on leadership, urgency, and paying attention to the little things.

In this episode, executive search expert Gail Freeman reflects on the lessons she’s learned from conducting more than 10,000 interviews. Drawing on her firsthand experience, she shares what makes a hiring process meaningful, the qualities she notices in candidates who rise to the top, and the missteps that hold others back. Freeman’s perspective offers job seekers a candid look at what recruiters are really watching for -- and how small choices in the search process can make a big difference.

In this Ask the Expert episode, a listener asks how to step away from a position without disclosing where they’re headed next. Kathleen Hermacinski, associate vice president of human resources at Illinois Wesleyan University, returns to share strategies for resigning with grace, setting respectful boundaries, and keeping relationships intact. She discusses how to use simple language, when privacy is appropriate, and why protecting professional bridges is just as important as moving on to your next chapter.