Textbook With Mike and Andy

On this episode of Textbook, Dr. Mike Moore and Dr. Andy Lachman sit down with Will Crawford III, ESG Director at Follett Higher Education, for a conversation about what sustainability actually means for campus operations and what auxiliaries can do about it right now. Will is the first ESG Director in Follett's 150-year history and he brings a practitioner's eye to a subject that too many campuses treat as a peripheral concern. The conversation covers the real definition of sustainability beyond recycling and reusables, the often-overlooked connection between campus financial resilience and environmental strategy, and why the enrollment cliff belongs in the same conversation as your carbon footprint.Mike and Will dig into the ecological impact of the shift from print textbooks to digital access programs, including a roughly 90 percent emissions reduction from print to digital and measurable logistics gains at scale across more than 1,100 campuses. The conversation broadens from there into dining, housing, transportation, and the case for embedding sustainability thinking into every corner of auxiliary operations rather than assigning it to one person in a corner office. Will also offers specific, practical guidance on what data points to start tracking, how to build a hot spot map without a dedicated sustainability team, and three things any auxiliary can do now regardless of budget. If something in this conversation changes how you think about your campus, take it back and start asking questions.

On this episode of Textbook, Dr. Mike Moore and Dr. Andy Lachman sit down with TJ Cochran, Director of the Brown University Bookstore and Brand Licensing, for a conversation that spans leadership, retail strategy, and the future of the campus store.With more than 30 years in collegiate retail and experience across over 200 campuses, TJ shares how his perspective has evolved from both the lease and independent sides of the industry, and why independent stores must stay intentional about their role on campus.The conversation explores the shift toward experiential retail, the changing landscape of course materials, and the growing pressure on stores to balance mission and financial performance. TJ also offers practical insight on succession planning, campus partnerships, and how independent stores can position themselves to remain relevant in a rapidly changing environment.The episode closes on a more personal note, with a thoughtful reflection on leadership, community, and supporting students and teams in the aftermath of campus tragedy.

Textbook Episode 3: Aaron Ochoa, UC Davis StoresOn this episode of Textbook, Dr. Mike Moore and Dr. Andy Lachman talk with Aaron Ochoa, Director of Course Materials and Finance at the UC Davis Stores, about what it looks like when a campus store operation treats student success as the job, not just a talking point.Aaron reflects on what keeps him in the work, shares the story behind UC Davis’ Equitable Access mindset, and walks through what his team is building next: an analytics initiative using eBook and courseware engagement data to explore early detection signals for at-risk students and the partnerships needed to act on that information responsibly.The conversation closes with one of the most powerful segments of the season, focused on basic needs support through retail. Aaron breaks down UC Davis Stores’ SNAP acceptance in their market, including why 30 to 40 percent of C-store sales come through SNAP, and how cross-campus collaboration, including Aggie Cash and dining partnerships, helps meet students where they are.

Textbook Episode 2: Andy Dunn, Grand Canyon University Lope ShopsOn this episode of Textbook, Dr. Mike Moore and Dr. Andy Lachman talk with Andy Dunn, Director of Campus Retail and Licensing at Grand Canyon University, about running a high-performing retail operation serving 25,000 on-campus students and 100,000+ online learners.Andy shares how GCU has built a strong spirit, supplies, and licensing-driven model without traditional textbook sales, and how the Lope Shops stays fresh through disciplined merchandising, a year-round marketing calendar, and a student ambassador social strategy. He also breaks down one of their most successful initiatives: an in-house care package program that drives traffic, improves margin, and delivers near-perfect pickup rates with smart student communication.The conversation wraps with leadership lessons, the value of institutionally operated stores, and what Andy sees coming next for collegiate retail, including hybrid digital course content, tighter buying discipline, and operational efficiency.

In this episode of Textbook, Mike and Andy are joined by Kim Anvinson, Director of the North Dakota State University Bookstore.Kim shares her 30-year journey in campus retail and offers an inside look at how the NDSU Bookstore has become a trusted campus partner. The conversation explores the launch of Bison Ready, NDSU’s affordable course materials program, and what it takes to build campus-wide support for access, affordability, and student success.The episode also touches on enrollment realities, faculty engagement, vendor partnerships, merchandise strategy, and the leadership challenges that keep campus store directors up at night. Kim reflects on community, succession planning, and why independent bookstores remain one of higher education’s most valuable and underappreciated resources.If something you hear sticks with you, take it back to your campus and share it with a colleague.

Dr. Mike and Dr. Andy introduce Textbook and talk about why it was created and why it is an important addition to collegiate retail and auxiliary services.