THE CHANGE LEADER

Category: Governance

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 314-Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Dr. Karen Panetta - AI Will Scale Your Institution's Existing Bias: A Procurement and Oversight Framework for Higher Ed

AI Will Scale Your Institution’s Existing Bias: A Procurement and Oversight Framework for Higher Ed:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 314 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Karen Panetta

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Karen Panetta, Dean of Graduate Education for the School of Engineering at Tufts University, co-inventor of the first digital twin, and an IEEE Fellow. The discussion centers around a practical AI procurement and governance framework for higher education, examining the questions presidents and boards should ask vendors before signing any AI contract and revealing why most products in front of higher ed buyers cannot answer them.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Procurement Framework: The four questions every higher ed leader should ask before signing an AI contract.

✓ Bias at Scale: Why AI does not eliminate human bias and instead removes the accountability that used to make it correctable.

✓ Ground Truth Reality:

June 2, 2026 June 29, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 306-Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Dr. Andy Vaughn- 2026 Title IV Changes and How Higher Education Can Adapt to the OBBBA.jpg

2026 Title IV Changes and How Higher Education Can Adapt to the OBBBA:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 306 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Andy Vaughn

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Andy Vaughn, President and CEO of Alliant International University and one of three higher education representatives on the 2025 Negotiated Rulemaking RISE Committee, about how the 2026 Title IV changes and broader federal legislation are reshaping higher education—and what institutional leaders need to understand as those changes take hold.

This discussion moves beyond policy explanation and focuses on institutional response. It examines what these changes mean for graduate education, student access, accreditation constraints, cost structures, and the pace of institutional decision-making. Vaughn also outlines how Alliant is responding through Project Evolve, a multi-part strategy focused on funding access, differentiation, growth, and long-term sustainability.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Federal Reality: Why the 2026

April 7, 2026 August 7, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 305-Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Dr. Andy Vaughn- Inside Neg Reg- What Higher Education Leaders Should Do Before July 2026

Inside Neg Reg: What Higher Education Leaders Should Do Before July 2026:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 305 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Andy Vaughn

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Andy Vaughn, President and CEO of Alliant University and one of three higher education representatives on the 2025 Negotiated Rulemaking RISE Committee. Their discussion examines what the latest Neg Reg signals about Title IV loan limit changes, why accreditation reform is next, and what higher education leaders need to do now to prepare for the July 1, 2026 changes.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Neg Reg Insight: Why this round of negotiated rulemaking is different from prior cycles and why institutions should not assume they can wait it out.

✓ Federal Change Reality: How the One Big Beautiful Bill changed the operating landscape for higher education in ways that are harder to

March 31, 2026 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 300-Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Lynn Pasquerella on University Presidential Leadership in 2026 Navigating Political Pressure with Moral Resilience

University Presidential Leadership in 2026: Navigating Political Pressure with Moral Resilience:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 300 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Lynn Pasquerella

In this special 300th episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, President of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, about the questions most pressing for institutional leaders today. Pasquerella brings philosophical precision and hard-won leadership experience to issues that many presidents are struggling to name clearly: how to lead with integrity under sustained political pressure, why belonging uncertainty is showing up in your enrollment data, and what it actually takes to rebuild public trust from the ground up.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast or reading the accompanying post:

✓ Academic Freedom in Context: Why the current threats to institutional autonomy follow a recognizable historical pattern, and what the Supreme Court has already said about it.

✓ Liberal Education’s Democratic Purpose:

February 24, 2026 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 299 Free Speech in Higher Education: A Conversation with FIRE on Institutional Integrity and Mission-Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Sean Stevens

Free Speech in Higher Education: A Conversation with FIRE on Institutional Integrity and Mission:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 299 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Sean Stevens

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Sean Stevens, Chief Research Advisor at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). The discussion focuses on what it takes for presidents, boards, and senior leadership teams to preserve open inquiry and viewpoint diversity on campus under intensifying political and social pressure, and why higher education’s mission depends on the ability to argue different perspectives without fear of sanction or retaliation.

What you’ll gain from this episode:

✓ Governance Lens on Free Speech: How campus speech controversies have become a board-level issue, not a student affairs problem.

✓ What FIRE Is Seeing Nationally: The current pattern of speech conflicts and why pressure now comes from multiple directions.

✓ Self-Censorship as Institutional Risk: How fear of reputational,

February 17, 2026 June 27, 2026
2026 Strategic Planning for Higher Education | The Change Leader | The outlook for higher education in 2026 and insights for presidents and boards to know before completing their planning for 2026 and beyond

2026 Higher Education Strategic Outlook: Converting 2025 Shocks into Executable Decisions:

Before your 2026 strategic plan is finalized, pressure-test the assumptions that no longer hold

In this post, Dr. Drumm McNaughton outlines the decisions and oversight questions presidents and boards should be focusing on as 2026 planning, budgeting, and governance cycles are underway. It is written to help leadership teams translate current conditions into clear priorities that protect execution and preserve institutional options in the year ahead.

Some of the topics covered in the post:

✓ Decision Gates and Contingencies: How to build a 2026 plan that holds up under policy volatility instead of relying on stable assumptions.

✓ International Enrollment Risk: What expanded visa restrictions mean for concentration risk, recruitment strategy, and capacity planning tied to international headcount.

✓ Research Funding Exposure: Why federal leverage belongs on the risk register and what bridge-funding rules and scenario budgeting should look like before a disruption hits.

January 22, 2026 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed podcast 291 cover image - Higher Education 2026 Planning and Outlook with Lessons from 2025 Predictions with guest host Tom Netting and co-host Dr. Drumm McNaughton

Higher Education 2026 Planning and Outlook with Lessons from 2025 Predictions:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 291 with guest host Tom Netting and co-host Dr. Drumm McNaughton

In this 8th annual end-of-year episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton joins Tom Netting of TEN Government Strategies to review how 2025 unfolded and what institutional leaders should prepare for in 2026. The conversation is built for presidents, provosts, trustees, and senior teams heading into strategic planning, budgeting, and governance decisions in a policy environment that is shifting quickly and often through nontraditional channels.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ 2025 Reality Check: What played out as expected, what moved through reconciliation instead of full HEA reauthorization, and why that pattern matters for 2026 planning.

✓ Federal Policy and Regulatory Outlook: What to anticipate on short-term Pell, Title IV eligibility, workforce provisions, and accountability signals that affect institutional decision-making.

✓ Department of Education Restructuring: What

December 23, 2025 June 27, 2026
Cover image | Changing Higher Ed podcast 289 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest David Maffei | Higher Education Communication Strategy Under Political Pressure and Crisis Risk

Higher Education Communication Strategy Under Political Pressure and Crisis Risk:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 289 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest David Maffei

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with David Maffei, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Americas at Staffbase, about how higher education leaders must rethink communication strategy in an era of political pressure, real-time scrutiny, and institutional risk. The conversation focuses on why internal communication now drives external credibility, how crisis preparation shapes governance stability, and what presidents and boards must understand about unified signaling, trust, and leadership discipline.

What you will gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Internal vs External Alignment: Why internal communication now determines how institutions are perceived externally.

✓ Crisis Readiness: How preparedness, not improvisation, determines institutional stability under pressure.

✓ Governance and Trust: Why internal notification must always precede public announcements.

✓ Presidential Communication: Why communication is

December 9, 2025 June 27, 2026
Free Speech on College Campuses: Insights from FIRE's 2025 Report | College Free Speech Rankings | Changing Higher Ed podcast 283 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Sean Stevens

Free Speech on College Campuses: Insights from FIRE’s 2025 Report:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 283 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Sean Stevens

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Dr. Sean Stevens, Chief Research Advisor at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), about how universities can protect free speech amid growing political pressures and declining tolerance for differing views.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Research Insights: What FIRE’s data shows about the state of free expression and faculty terminations on U.S. campuses.

✓ Government Influence: How political actors are pressuring institutions and shaping free speech policies.

✓ Leadership Responsibility: Why consistent policies and strong presidential leadership matter more than ever.

✓ Academic Freedom: How faculty can navigate controversial topics without fear of professional retaliation.

✓ Constructive Dialogue: What Vanderbilt and Dartmouth’s programs reveal about improving student discourse.

✓ Institutional Strategy: Steps

October 28, 2025 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed podcast 279 - Cybersecurity risk management in higher education with Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Brian Kelly | Cover Image

Cybersecurity Risk Management in Higher Education—It’s Not Just an IT Problem:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 279 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Brian Kelly

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem—it’s a leadership issue that directly impacts enrollment, accreditation, financial aid compliance, and institutional reputation. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Brian Kelly, Chief Information Security Officer at Community Health Networks of Connecticut and longtime higher education security leader, about how colleges and universities must integrate cybersecurity into governance, strategic planning, risk management, and accreditation readiness.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Institutional Impact: How cyberattacks disrupt registration, financial aid, payroll, and research.

✓ Governance Oversight: Why boards must receive regular briefings and include cyber in enterprise risk management.

✓ Strategic Implications: How cyber risk intersects with long-term planning, partnerships, and public trust.

✓ Crisis Preparedness: What presidents and trustees need to ensure continuity

September 30, 2025 June 27, 2026
Cover image - Changing Higher Ed podcast 277 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Marc Huffman |How AI Dashboards Can Strengthen Higher Education Board Governance

How AI Dashboards Can Strengthen Higher Education Board Governance:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 277 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Marc Huffman

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Marc Huffman, CEO of OnBoard and eSCRIBE, about how AI dashboards are transforming higher education board governance. Their discussion examines how boards can use AI-enabled platforms to support trustees, improve preparation, and keep institutional strategy front and center.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Streamlined Board Preparation: How AI consolidates materials and highlights the most urgent information.

✓ Continuous Strategy Tracking: Ways dashboards connect agendas, minutes, and performance data to monitor long-term goals.

✓ Trustee Engagement Support: Tools that help members review past decisions, follow progress, and stay ready for discussion.

✓ Board Secretary Efficiency: How automation surfaces pending action items and frees staff to focus on supporting the chair.

✓ Secure and Ethical Governance:

September 16, 2025 July 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed podcast 272 cover image featuring Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Cathy Light | Strengthening Private Higher Education Boards—Insights From CalTech's Governance Overhaul

Strengthening Private Higher Education Boards—Insights From CalTech’s Governance Overhaul:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 272 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Cathy Light

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Cathy Light, board secretary for the California Institute of Technology, about how Caltech refined its private board governance to improve strategic focus and decision-making.

Light shares practical examples from Caltech’s governance review, including reducing the board from nearly 80 members, making trustee reorientation mandatory, and using committee structures to keep trustees engaged and aligned with institutional priorities.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Governance Restructuring: How Caltech streamlined board size and improved effectiveness.

✓ Committee Leadership: Why structuring the executive committee with committee chairs improves responsiveness.

✓ Trustee Engagement: The role of regular assessments and reorientation in keeping trustees aligned.

✓ Continuous Review: How Caltech approaches governance as an ongoing process rather than a one-time

August 12, 2025 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed podcast 269 Washington Update: July 2025 Reconciliation Bill’s Impact on Higher Ed

Washington Update: Higher Ed Overhauled Under Budget Reconciliation—Loan Limits, Pell Expansion, Earnings Accountability, and Accreditation Upended:

Podcast Show Summary for Changing Higher Ed, Episode 269 with Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Tom Netting

In this Washington Update episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with frequent guest Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and a leading voice in higher education policy advocacy. They unpack what’s buried inside the recently passed budget reconciliation package—unofficially dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—which introduces some of the most sweeping higher ed changes in over a decade.

From statutory earnings-based accountability and major loan reform to the return of short-term Pell and emerging accreditation upheavals, this episode outlines what institutional leaders need to know, when they need to act, and how it all connects to upcoming deadlines and rulemaking cycles.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Earnings Accountability: What the new low-earnings outcomes assessment means for degree programs and institutional reporting.

✓

July 22, 2025 June 27, 2026
Using AI for Higher Ed Board Governance: Improving the Trustee Experience While Protecting Fiduciary Responsibilities: Exploring practical applications, security concerns, and the fundamental role of human oversight

Using AI for Higher Ed Board Governance: Improving the Trustee Experience While Protecting Fiduciary Responsibilities:

Exploring practical applications, security concerns, and the fundamental role of human oversight

In this latest blog post, Dr. Drumm McNaughton examines the practical applications of artificial intelligence in higher education board governance, exploring both the opportunities and implementation considerations that trustees need to consider when evaluating AI tools for their institutions.

The article addresses the growing matrix of board oversight responsibilities and how AI can help manage information overload while maintaining strategic focus, drawing from real-world examples and current industry developments.

What you’ll gain from reading this article:

✓ Information Processing: Solutions for board material overload

✓ Strategic Monitoring: Tracking institutional alignment effectively

✓ Board Composition: Supporting nominating committee decisions

✓ Security Considerations: Privacy concerns with cloud platforms

✓ Vendor Evaluation: Key questions for technology providers

✓ Private Systems: Institutional solutions for enhanced control

✓ Implementation Strategy: Considerations for different institutions

✓

July 10, 2025 July 27, 2026
Confronting the Storm: Resistance to Change and Current Attacks on Higher Education-Changing Higher Ed podcast 259 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Brian Rosenberg

Confronting the Storm: Resistance to Change and Current Attacks on Higher Education:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 259 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Brian Rosenberg

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Brian Rosenberg, former president of Macalister College (2003-2020), visiting professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and author of “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It: Resistance to Change in Higher Education.” The conversation examines why higher education institutions face increasing external attacks, how their resistance to change has made them vulnerable, and what institutional leaders can do to navigate these challenging times while managing internal resistance to necessary transformation.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Attack Analysis: Understanding the political and economic factors driving current attacks on higher education.

✓ Trust Insights: Why public confidence has declined across political lines and what institutions can do about it.

✓ Governance Guidance: How board-president relationships determine

May 13, 2025 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed podcast 252 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Tom Netting - Washington Update: Dismantling the Department of Education and Redefining Oversight for Higher Ed

Washington Update: Dismantling the Department of Education and Redefining Oversight for Higher Ed:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 252 with Host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Tom Netting

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes back Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and a trusted Washington insider with over 30 years of experience in federal education policy. Together, they unpack the sweeping federal restructuring that is reshaping the future of higher education—from dismantling the Department of Education to defunding civil rights enforcement and shifting student loan oversight to the Small Business Administration.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Department Overhaul: What the executive order to dismantle the Department of Education means for institutional operations.

✓ Title IX Reversal: How the rollback of Biden-era Title IX protections affects compliance, DEI programs, and student safety policies.

✓ Loan Servicing Shift: What institutions need to know about the SBA taking over federal student

March 25, 2025 June 27, 2026
Presidential Evaluations: How Boards Strengthen Oversight

Presidential Evaluations: How University Boards Strengthen Oversight:

Structured evaluations strengthen governance, accountability, and institutional success

University presidents are responsible for leading institutions toward long-term success, but without structured evaluations, accountability suffers. While accrediting bodies mandate presidential reviews, many boards still rely on informal or verbal assessments, weakening governance and decision-making.

In his latest article, Drumm explores how university boards can implement structured presidential evaluations to ensure stronger oversight, transparency, and leadership accountability.

What You’ll Gain from This Article:

✔ Accountability in Leadership – Why boards must evaluate presidents beyond accreditation requirements.

✔ Board Independence & Fiduciary Duties – How evaluations reinforce board oversight and prevent governance failures.

✔ Effective Evaluation Frameworks – How boards can establish structured, data-driven evaluations to track presidential performance.

✔ Stakeholder Engagement – Why faculty, staff, and alumni perspectives should be included in the evaluation process.

✔ Self-Evaluation for Boards –

March 6, 2025 June 27, 2026
Board Independence in Higher Education Drives Better Governance | The Change Leader | A higher education board room with a diverse group of board members listening to the university president and board chair present proposed academic restructuring.

Board Independence in Higher Education Drives Better Governance:

How Independent Boards Strengthen Leadership, Decision-Making, Accountability, Oversight, and Institutional Sustainability

In his latest post, Dr. McNaughton examines why board independence is critical for institutional sustainability, particularly in today’s challenging higher education environment.

What you’ll gain from reading this post:

✓ Beyond Basic Duties: Why traditional fiduciary training often falls short of addressing key governance challenges.

✓ Presidential Oversight: How long-serving presidents can impact board independence and institutional accountability.

✓ Board Composition: The importance of diverse professional backgrounds and term limits in maintaining objectivity.

✓ Training Requirements: Why annual governance training should go beyond basic fiduciary duties.

✓ Real Examples: Case studies of institutions that faced governance challenges and how they were addressed.

✓ Market Challenges: How independent boards can better navigate declining enrollment and changing market conditions.

This article provides practical insights for board members and institutional leaders on maintaining

February 20, 2025 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed podcast 246 - ADA Compliance in Higher Education | image of a college campus with dozens of people walking around the campus. and images of host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Eugene Woo

The Layperson’s Prescriptive to ADA Compliance in Higher Education:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 246 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Eugene Woo

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Drumm speaks with Eugene Woo, CEO and founder of Venngage, about the new ADA compliance requirements affecting higher education institutions. The discussion focuses on recent Department of Justice updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, exploring what these changes mean for colleges and universities, compliance deadlines, and practical strategies for meeting new digital accessibility standards.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Common Challenges: Understand the most frequent accessibility issues affecting higher education websites and digital content.

✓ Implementation Strategies: Learn practical approaches to conducting accessibility audits and prioritizing remediation efforts.

✓ Leadership Planning: How to establish clear ownership and accountability for accessibility compliance.

✓ Resource Management: Insights into budgeting and resource allocation for long-term accessibility maintenance.

✓

February 11, 2025 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 241-Censorship in Higher Education A PEN America Perspective with Jeremy Young and host Drumm McNaughton

Censorship in Higher Education: A PEN America Perspective:

Changing Higher Ed® podcast 241 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Jeremy Young

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Jeremy Young, Program Director of Freedom to Learn at PEN America. The discussion examines the growing challenges to academic freedom and free speech in higher education, including state legislative attempts to restrict institutional autonomy, the impact of DEI bans, and strategies for university leaders to protect academic independence.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Legislative Landscape: Understand current state efforts to restrict academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

✓ DEI Impact Analysis: Learn how DEI bans affect university programs, cultural centers, and institutional operations.

✓ Leadership Strategies: Discover effective approaches for university presidents to protect institutional independence.

✓ Political Pressure Tactics: Understand “jawboning” and other methods used to influence university policies.

✓ Legal Implications: Learn

January 7, 2025 June 27, 2026

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