Changing Higher Ed podcast 248 Transforming College Advising: A New Approach to Student Success with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guests Scott Carlson and Ned Scott Laff

Transforming College Advising: A New Approach to Student Success:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 248 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guests Scott Carlson and Dr. Ned Scott Laff

Higher education institutions continue to struggle with student retention, career readiness, and underemployment among graduates. Traditional college advising models focus heavily on selecting a major, yet many students graduate with empty degrees that fail to translate into meaningful careers. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Scott Carlson and Dr. Ned Scott Laff, authors of Hacking College: Why the Major Really Doesn’t Matter and What Really Does, about how institutions can rethink academic advising, faculty engagement, and student success strategies to better serve today’s learners. Carlson, a senior writer for the Chronicle of Higher Education, and Laff, who has over 35 years of experience in college and university settings helping students design successful undergraduate experiences, discuss how universities can shift away from a rigid,

February 25, 2025 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 247 - with host Drumm McNaughton and guest Justin Kollinger about the top risks in higher education

Top Risks in Higher Education and Why Leaders Must Have ERM Programs:

Changing Higher Ed® podcast 247 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Justin Kollinger

Justin Kollinger, Senior Risk Management Consultant at United Educators (UE), brings valuable perspective in helping colleges and universities develop strategic risk initiatives. As co-author of “Risk Management: An Accountability Guide for University and College Boards” and creator of UE’s annual Top 10 Risks report, Kollinger works with institution leaders to develop strategic risk initiatives, prioritize risk management goals, and launch enterprise risk management programs. Higher Ed’s Current Risk & Liability Environment The higher education sector faces what United Educators calls “social inflation” – increases in insurance costs above regular inflation. This trend is driven by: Increased third-party litigation financing Growing recruitment of plaintiffs to bring cases Rising defense costs Higher settlements and awards Top Risks in Higher Education McNaughton and Kollinger discuss these top risks revealed in the UE’s

February 18, 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

New Federal ADA Regulation Deadlines Are Approaching – Is Your Institution Ready? Colleges and universities must now meet stricter ADA compliance requirements for websites and digital content or risk legal consequences, fines, and loss of federal funding. With the Department of Justice’s latest update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), institutions must ensure all web content, mobile apps, and digital resources meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. For many schools, the deadline is approaching fast. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton has a conversation with Eugene Woo, CEO and founder of Venngage, to discuss what these new ADA regulations mean for higher education institutions and what they must do to comply. Understanding the New ADA Requirements for Higher Ed The

February 11, 2025 June 27, 2026

Are University Mergers the Future of Institutional Sustainability?:

Examining the Benefits, Challenges, and Alternative Strategies in an Era of Higher Education Transformation

Higher education institutions are facing significant challenges to their existence. Not only are they facing the demographic cliff which begins within the next year, changing funding patterns (especially due to the political landscape in Washington), inflation, and greater competition for a shrinking pool of students, institutions must cope with overcapacity and aging buildings and plant equipment. Any institution with less than 2,500 students, an endowment of less than $10 million, or a discount rate of greater than 50% is at risk of closing. In response, some institutions have turned to mergers, consolidations, or strategic partnerships as a solution. But are mergers truly the future of institutional sustainability in higher education? This article explores the forces driving university mergers, the benefits and challenges they present, and whether they represent a sustainable

February 6, 2025 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 244 New College Programs that Build Enrollment with guest Dr. Teri Reed

Keys to Launching New College Programs that Build Enrollment:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 244 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Teri Reed

Creating new colleges, new college programs, and growing enrollment is not an easy task in our current academic environment. Building enrollment for a brand-new academic program is one of higher education’s toughest challenges. Yet, the University of Oklahoma’s Polytechnic Institute (UOPI) successfully recruited its first class by flipping the traditional mindset. Instead of expecting students to be “college ready,” they designed their programs to be “student ready.” In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Teri Reed, inaugural director of the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute at OU Tulsa and veteran creator of innovative engineering education programs, shares insights on launching new academic programs and colleges, revealing how strategic partnerships with Google and local community colleges helped launch new degrees that attract students to high-demand fields like cybersecurity and

January 28, 2025 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 243 with Drumm McNaughton and Scott Marshall | How Semester at Sea Improves Student Outcomes and Boosts Institutional Success

How Semester at Sea Improves Student Outcomes and Boosts Institutional Success:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 243 with host Dr.s Drumm McNaughton and guest Scott Marshall

According to the Consortium for Analysis of Student Success through International Education (CASSIE), students who participate in study abroad programs are 6.2 percentage points more likely to graduate within four years and 3.8 percentage points more likely to graduate within six years compared to their non-study abroad peers. Additionally, these students tend to earn higher GPAs and accumulate more credit hours upon graduation. This University System of Georgia infographic shows these outcomes directly enhance institutional key performance indicators such as retention and persistence. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton interviews Dr. Scott Marshall, President and CEO of the Institute for Shipboard Education, about how Semester at Sea transforms students’ lives and enhances institutional outcomes through innovative study abroad programming. Why Semester at Sea is

January 21, 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

Exploring Academic Censorship and Its Impact on Free Speech in Universities The battle for control of American higher education is intensifying, with universities and their governing boards caught between protecting academic freedom and responding to unprecedented political pressure. This episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast features Dr. Jeremy Young of PEN America, discussing the organization’s efforts to combat censorship in higher education. PEN America’s “Freedom to Learn” program actively opposes state legislative attempts to restrict academic freedom and free speech on college campuses. The interview highlights concerning trends like “educational gag orders,” “jawboning,” and DEI bans in various states, emphasizing the threat these actions pose to intellectual discourse and institutional autonomy. Young advocates for universities to prioritize protecting free expression, even amidst political pressure, suggesting strategic approaches for presidents and boards to

January 7, 2025 June 27, 2026

Turning pages of a book with 2025 predictions for higher education and Higher ed 2024 year in review

Higher Ed 2024 Year in Review and 2025 Predictions:

A Year of Change and Challenges

The higher education landscape in 2024 has been marked by significant upheaval and transformation – some might say that it has been the most turbulent year in its history. We have seen political polarization, demographic challenges, and rapid technological advancements intersect, resulting in higher education institutions facing immense pressure to adapt. All the while, there continues to be more capacity than there are students, which is characteristic of a mature-to-declining market that has resulted in an increased pace of mergers and closure activities. All in all, it has been a doozy of a year. This article examines the trends and developments that shaped 2024, provides a thematic review of the year, and outlines key predictions for 2025. A Look Back At Our 2024 Predictions for Higher Ed In our annual

January 2, 2025 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 240-Higher Education 2025 Predictions and 2024 Year in Review with Tom Netting and Drumm McNaughton

Higher Education 2025 Predictions and 2024 Year in Review:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 240 with guest host Tom Netting and co-host Dr. Drumm McNaughton

In this 7th annual end-of-year episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton becomes the guest of our podcast as we welcome this year’s guest host, Tom Netting, of TEN Government Strategies, to review McNaughton’s higher ed predictions for 2024 and explore his higher education 2025 predictions. The discussion reveals how higher education fared over the polarizing election year and what to expect in the coming year. Review of 2024 Higher Ed Predictions and Outcomes Political Environment and Higher Education: Grade A The prediction about increased political involvement in higher education proved remarkably accurate in 2024, particularly given the election year dynamics. The sector experienced unprecedented political scrutiny, culminating in the October 7th congressional hearings that led to the departure of three university presidents. State-level political intervention

December 31, 2024 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 239 - Consolidation in Higher Ed with Drumm McNaughton and guest Michael Horowitz | New Models for Consolidation in Higher Education

New Models for Consolidation in Higher Education:

Changing Higher Ed® podcast 239 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Michael Horowitz

Consolidating Higher Education: The Community Solution Model This episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast features Dr. Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System (formerly TCS Education System), who discusses using innovative models for higher education consolidation as an additional category in or alternative to traditional mergers or acquisitions. Horowitz highlights the system’s unique approach, a collaborative model prioritizing resource optimization and expertise sharing among member institutions while maintaining individual identities. The conversation addresses challenges facing higher education, including increasing closure rates and the importance of proactive strategies like mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations. Both McNaughton and Horowitz emphasize the necessity of early planning and shared vision, particularly involving faculty, for successful integration. They also touch on broader trends and challenges in higher education, such as increasing closures

December 24, 2024 June 27, 2026

Three pillars of strategic planning in higher education - Strategic Planning for sustainable growth, Alignment of strategy structure and process, Stakeholder Engagement with a collaborative vision and participation.

Three Pillars of Strategic Planning in Higher Education:

A Framework for Building Sustainable Institutions Through Holistic Planning, Alignment, and Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Planning Framework: Using the Three Pillars of Holistic Thinking to Improve Higher Education Sustainability Strategic planning in higher education has never been more critical than it is today. As institutions navigate an increasingly complex and volatile landscape, the need for a comprehensive framework to ensure long-term sustainability has become paramount. Yet many colleges and universities struggle to implement effective strategic planning processes that drive real institutional transformation. Higher education is at a crossroads, with colleges and universities facing economic pressures, demographic changes, and shifting public perceptions. The traditional model of higher education has been disrupted by several factors, including the decreasing number of college-age students, increasing costs, and a shift in public sentiment that questions the value of a college degree. This shift is particularly challenging for institutions heavily

December 19, 2024 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 238 washington Update-Implications of the 2024 election on higher ed part 2

Washington Update: Implications of the 2024 Elections on Higher Ed — Part 2:

Changing Higher Ed® podcast 238 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Tom Netting

Higher Education Policy in the 119th Congress Part 2 of this podcast continues with Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and our Washington Update expert, examining ways in which the outcome of the 2024 US elections will transform higher education. Drawing from over three decades of policy expertise, Netting provides an insider’s perspective on the anticipated changes a Trump administration and the 119th Republican-controlled Congress could bring to higher education. Netting analyzes shifts in key Congressional committees, focusing on the implications for higher education funding, accreditation, and the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. He also addresses the impact of potential regulatory changes, executive orders, and court decisions on issues such as student loan repayment and Title IX. Finally, he offers advice to higher education institutions on preparing

December 17, 2024 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 237 Washington Update-Implications of the 2024 election on higher ed part 1 | with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Tom Netting

Washington Update: Implications of the 2024 Elections on Higher Ed — Part 1:

Changing Higher Ed® podcast 237 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Tom Netting

Higher Education Expert Analysis of Anticipated Federal Policy Changes Under the Incoming Republican Administration Part 1 of this two-part podcast welcomes back Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and our Washington Update expert, to examine how the 2024 US elections will transform higher education. Drawing from over three decades of policy expertise on The Hill, Netting provides an insider’s perspective on the anticipated changes a Trump administration and Republican Congress could bring to higher education. The conversation unpacks major shifts within the Department of Education, from FAFSA modernization and Title IX overhaul to the future of student loan repayment. Netting addresses pressing questions about federal funding streams, potential departmental restructuring, and the impact of new IT security regulations. The discussion culminates in a penetrating analysis of how evolving ROI

December 10, 2024 June 30, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 236 - faculty diversity drives enrollment-with guests Jeffrey Robinson and Blane Ruschak of the PhD Project

How Faculty Diversity Drives Enrollment: The PhD Project’s 90% Success Model:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 236 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Guests Dr. Jeffrey Robinson and Blane Ruschak

Faculty Diversity: A Business Case for Higher Education Success When the PhD Project launched in 1994, you could count the number of diverse students at major business school recruiting events on one hand. Today, after 30 years of systemic change, the initiative has graduated over 1,700 faculty members of color with an extraordinary 90% completion rate – nearly double the national average for doctoral programs. Even more remarkable, 97% of these graduates stay in academia. But here’s what makes this story particularly compelling for university leaders: Research has shown that the presence of a diverse faculty is the second highest correlating factor (after state demographics) in attracting diverse students to universities. It’s not just about representation – it’s about institutional success and survival in an increasingly global economy. This

December 3, 2024 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 235 - with guest Courtney Brown-Understanding the crisis of confidence in higher education

Understanding the Crisis of Confidence in Higher Education:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 235 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guests Dr. Courtney Brown

The Declining Trend in Public Confidence Higher Education has a reputation crisis. Public confidence in higher education is declining dramatically. In 2015, a Gallup poll revealed that the vast majority of Americans expressed a great deal of confidence in higher education, with only 10% reporting little to no confidence. By 2024, public confidence shifted significantly: only about a third maintained a great deal of confidence, while a startling 33% now held little to no confidence. This mirrors a broader trend of declining trust in American institutions. Dr. Drumm McNaughton, Principle Consultant and CEO of The Change Leader, and Dr. Courtney Brown, Vice President of Impact and Planning for the Lumina Foundation, discuss the causes and solutions to declining public confidence in higher education. They also explore the evolving demographics

November 26, 2024 June 27, 2026

academic realignment frameworks higher education board or directors in a conference room discussing academic realignment frameworks for their institution

Three-Year College Degrees: A Strategic Response to Enrollment Challenges:

An Academic Realignment Framework for Modern Higher Education

The Urgency for Strategic Adaptation in Higher Education Higher education is in deep need of innovating and changing some of its core beliefs, one of which is the “myth” that to be successful, students must graduate with a four-year college degree. And one of the best examples to bust this myth is Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. In 1975, Bill Gates famously left Harvard after only three semesters, driven by the conviction that his opportunity in personal computing couldn’t wait for the traditional four-year degree. Today, students are making similar decisions, but their motivations often center on prohibitive costs and a desire for faster, more direct pathways to meaningful careers. Almost half of U.S. college students fail to complete their degrees, and college tuition has continued to rise, outpacing inflation

November 21, 2024 August 7, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 234 with Dr Drumm McNaughton-Sophie Nguyen-Kevin Cary- New America Varying Degrees 2024 - What Americans Really Think of Higher Education

What Americans Really Think of Higher Ed: Insights from New America’s Varying Degrees 2024:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 234 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guests Sophie Nguyen and Kevin Carey

Despite media narratives of declining confidence in higher education, new survey data reveals 80% of Americans view college costs – not value – as the primary barrier to enrollment. While only 36% think higher education is “fine how it is,” bipartisan support remains strong, with a majority of both Democrats and Republicans favoring increased government funding for affordability. On this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kevin Carey, Vice President for Education and Work at New America, and Sophie Nguyen, Senior Policy Manager with the Higher Education team at New America, a nonpartisan think tank focused on social and technological issues, including education. The discussion centers around New America’s annual Varying Degrees 2024 survey, which examines how Americans perceive higher education. Americans have not

November 19, 2024 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Podcast 233 Accreditation NECHE Style from prescriptive to nuanced- with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Larry Schall

Accreditation NECHE Style—From Prescriptive to Nuanced:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 233 with Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Schall

Innovation in Higher Education Accreditation: How NECHE Leads Change Gone are the days of counting library books and checking boxes. With average presidential tenure plummeting to less than five years and a wave of institutional mergers reshaping American higher education, understanding the evolution from prescriptive to nuanced accreditation has become paramount for institutional survival. In this podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton, in discussion with Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Schall, President of the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), shares insights on how accreditation has transformed from a compliance exercise into a partnership that helps institutions navigate contemporary challenges while maintaining academic quality and institutional accountability. Transformative Trends in Institutional Consolidation Demographic challenges are driving unprecedented changes in higher education structure. According to Schall, New England’s unfavorable demographics have accelerated institutional mergers

November 12, 2024 September 1, 2026

post-merger integration planning for successful university mergers The Change Leader | connecting two universities by bridge

Post-Merger Integration: Planning for Successful University Mergers:

Strategic Framework for Successful Integration: Aligning Vision, Operations, and Culture in Higher Education Mergers

Higher education institutions are facing mounting pressures driven by decreasing enrollment and many other factors. As a result, mergers have become an increasingly common strategy for achieving financial stability, expanding academic offerings, and pursuing strategic growth. Merging two universities is a complex, high-stakes exercise – and involves much more than simply combining assets. Post-merger integration requires a thoughtful alignment of visions, cultures, governance, and operations to ensure long-term success. The stakes couldn’t be higher: failed integrations waste millions in resources, damage institutional reputations, and leave students and faculty in limbo. The State of Higher Education: Why Mergers Matter Higher education in the United States is currently navigating what in business is called a “mature-to-declining market.” This term, borrowed from business, describes a situation in which there is more capacity

November 7, 2024 June 27, 2026

Changing Higher Ed podcast 232 - Improving Public University Systems at Scale with Drumm McNaughton and Jim Johnsen

Improving Public University Systems at Scale:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 232 with Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest James R. Johnsen

In this podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes guest James R. Johnsen, the former President of the University of Alaska System, who is now a Vice President of Executive Search for Greenwood Asher & Associates. Johnsen discusses his new book, “Public University Systems: Leveraging Scale in Higher Education,” which examines the importance of and challenges facing public university systems across the U.S. What higher ed leaders will gain from this podcast: Here are some of the insights higher education presidents, boards, and executive leadership will gain from listening to the podcast: Understanding Public University Systems in Higher Education Governance A comprehensive overview of public university systems, their prevalence, importance, and the challenges they face. The different types of systems – homogenous and heterogeneous – and how they are structured,

November 5, 2024 June 27, 2026

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Strategic Mergers & Alliances

Turnaround & Transformation

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