THE CHANGE LEADER

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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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Drumm speaks with Scott Carlson, senior writer for the Chronicle of Higher Education, and Dr. Ned Scott Laff, who has over 35 years of experience helping students design successful undergraduate experiences. The discussion centers around their book “Hacking College: Why the Major Really Doesn’t Matter and What Really Does,” examining how institutions can rethink academic advising, faculty engagement, and student success strategies to better serve today’s learners.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Academic Advising Reform: Why traditional major-centric advising fails students and what approaches actually work.

✓ Faculty Engagement: How to transform faculty roles from course instructors to career mentors and network builders.

✓ Hidden Job Market: Strategies to help students discover career opportunities beyond traditional recruitment channels.

✓

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Justin Kollinger, Senior Risk Management Consultant at United Educators, about The Top 10 Risks in Higher Education and why enterprise risk management (ERM) is vital for institutional survival.

Colleges and universities face mounting challenges—from enrollment declines and financial instability to cybersecurity threats, compliance pressures, and growing political scrutiny. Without a structured ERM program, institutions remain vulnerable to lawsuits, reputational damage, and long-term financial risks.

What You’ll Gain From This Episode:

✔️ The Top Risks in Higher Education—What leaders must address now

✔️ Why Enrollment Decline Remains the #1 Threat—And what to do about it

✔️ Cybersecurity and AI Threats—How institutions can protect sensitive data

✔️ Regulatory Compliance Challenges—Navigating Title IX, Title VI, ADA, and more

✔️ Financial and

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

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
Are University Mergers the future of institutional sustainability?

Are University Mergers the Future of Institutional Sustainability?:

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

As higher education evolves into a mature and declining market, many are asking: Are university mergers the key to institutional sustainability? While some see mergers as the path forward, offering opportunities to combine resources and strengthen market position, others point to successful alternatives. My latest article examines this pressing question by looking at what’s driving merger discussions, what makes them succeed or fail, and other options institutions might consider.

Some of what’s covered in the article:

✓ Economic Factors: The key financial pressures pushing institutions toward merger considerations
✓ Merger Benefits: Potential advantages in resource sharing and program expansion
✓ Main Challenges: Common cultural and administrative hurdles in university mergers
✓ Case Examples: Brief looks at both successful and unsuccessful merger attempts
✓ Other Options: Alternative

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Drumm speaks with Dr. Teri Reed, inaugural director of the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute (UOPI) at OU Tulsa. The discussion explores how UOPI successfully launched new academic programs by flipping traditional mindsets – designing programs to be “student ready” rather than expecting students to be “college ready.” This innovative approach, combined with strategic industry partnerships including Google, has created a new model for building enrollment in high-demand fields like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Program Innovation: Learn how to design “student ready” programs that attract enrollment while maintaining academic rigor.

✓ Industry Integration: Understand strategies for embedding industry certifications and real-world expertise into curriculum design.

✓ Faculty Excellence: Master innovative recruitment approaches that ensure

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Drumm speaks with 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.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Study Abroad Impact: Discover how study abroad programs increase graduation rates and improve student GPAs.

✓ Global Learning Model: Learn about Semester at Sea’s unique approach to visiting 10 countries while earning 12-15 credits.

✓ Institutional Benefits: Understand how study abroad programs enhance retention rates and long-term university outcomes.

✓ Revenue Enhancement: Learn why study abroad offices should be viewed as revenue supporters rather than cost centers.

✓ Innovation Insights: Explore upcoming initiatives like AI floating labs and partnerships with industry leaders.

✓

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

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
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 Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton swaps roles as our guest, while Tom Netting of TEN Government Strategies hosts the discussion. Together, they review McNaughton’s higher education predictions for 2024 and share his insights into the challenges and opportunities awaiting higher education in 2025.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Political Impact: Understand how the polarizing election year reshaped higher education and what legislative changes might emerge in 2025.

✓ Enrollment Insights: Learn how demographic shifts, FAFSA challenges, and declining enrollment will impact institutions.

✓ Institutional Futures: Explore trends in closures, mergers, and the strategies institutions must adopt to stay viable.

✓ Technology & AI: Discover the critical divide in AI adoption and how leading institutions are leveraging it to

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, discussing innovative models for higher education consolidation. The conversation explores a unique collaborative approach that offers an alternative to traditional mergers and acquisitions, highlighting strategies for resource optimization while preserving institutional identity.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Consolidation Innovation: Learn about The Community Solution model, a system-based approach that enables collaboration rather than competition among member institutions.

✓ Resource Optimization: Understand how integrating non-student-facing operations can lead to cost savings while maintaining academic quality.

✓ Identity Preservation: Discover strategies for maintaining individual institutional identities while benefiting from system-wide resources.

✓ Market Trends: Gain insights into current higher education market conditions and closure rates affecting

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

In his latest article, Dr. Drumm McNaughton explores the three pillars of strategic planning in higher education for building institutional sustainability. The article centers around holistic strategic planning, alignment of strategies and structures, and stakeholder engagement – revealing practical insights about transforming institutions through continuous planning and data-driven decision making.

What you’ll gain from this article:

✓ Strategic Planning Framework: Learn the three essential pillars for institutional sustainability and transformation.

✓ Implementation Insights: Understand how to move from episodic to continuous strategic planning approaches.

✓ Data-Driven Planning: How to effectively use dashboards and metrics for strategic decision-making.

✓ Stakeholder Engagement: Strategies to build buy-in and create shared institutional vision.

✓ Risk Management: Practical approaches to scenario planning and risk mitigation.

✓ Process Integration: Understand how to align academic and administrative

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

In this second episode of this two part podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton continues the conversation with Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and our Washington Update expert. The discussion provides insights into how the 2024 US elections will transform higher education, examining anticipated changes under a Trump administration and Republican-controlled 119th Congress, with particular focus on policy shifts, regulatory changes, and institutional impacts.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Leadership Changes: Understand the significant shifts in Congressional committee leadership and their impact on education policy

✓ Regulatory Insights: Learn about incoming changes to borrower defense, gainful employment, and accreditation standards

✓ Policy Navigation: Discover how institutions can prepare for executive orders affecting immigration and Title IX

✓ Accreditation Evolution: Gain clarity on the fundamental reforms coming

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

Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and Washington Update expert, about anticipated changes in higher education following the 2024 US elections. Drawing from his policy expertise on The Hill, Netting discusses potential shifts under the incoming administration.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Department Changes: Key shifts in Department of Education operations and leadership under Linda McMahon’s nomination.

✓ FAFSA Reform: Plans to address ongoing challenges with FAFSA modernization and financial aid administration.

✓ Title IX Updates: Current state of Title IX regulations and potential revisions to address state-level conflicts.

✓ ROI Focus: New methodologies for measuring higher education return on investment over a 10-year window.

✓ Regulatory Changes: Insight into gainful employment regulations and reporting requirements affecting institutions.

✓ Cybersecurity

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, Interim Chancellor at Rutgers University-Newark and Graduate of the PhD Project, and Blane Ruschak, President of the PhD Project and Consultant with KPMG. The discussion centers around the PhD Project’s remarkable 30-year journey in diversifying business school faculty, creating systemic change in higher education through faculty representation, and building a sustainable pipeline of diverse academic talent.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Success Metrics: Understand the extraordinary completion and retention rates that make the PhD Project a model for systemic change.

✓ Institutional Impact: Understand why diverse faculty is the second highest correlating factor in attracting diverse students.

✓ Economic Benefits: Discover the business case for faculty diversity in an increasingly global

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Courtney Brown, Vice President of Impact and Planning for the Lumina Foundation, about the critical issue of declining public confidence in higher education. Their discussion examines the dramatic shift in public trust, explores key demographic changes in today’s student population, and offers practical solutions for institutions facing these challenges.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Confidence Crisis Analysis: Understand the dramatic decline in public confidence – from 90% expressing great confidence in 2015 to only one-third by 2024.

✓ Trust Drivers: Learn the three primary factors driving declining confidence: perceived political bias, concerns about workforce relevance, and affordability issues.

✓ Student Demographics: Discover how today’s college population differs from traditional assumptions, with over half

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

In this comprehensive analysis, we examine how three-year college degrees and academic realignment can help institutions address enrollment challenges in higher education.

Article Overview:

✓ Analysis of why students and parents choose accelerated degree programs, and what this means for your institution’s future.

✓ Practical strategies for implementing three-year degrees while maintaining academic quality and meeting accreditation requirements.

✓ A structured framework for academic realignment, including faculty engagement and curriculum redesign approaches.

✓ Case studies from Purdue, SNHU, and NAU demonstrating successful three-year degree programs.

✓ Evidence-based guidance for identifying suitable programs and addressing implementation challenges.

This article offers practical solutions for institutional leaders looking to revitalize their degree offerings and create programs that meet student needs while strengthening enrollment.

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kevin Carey, Vice President for Education and Work, 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” survey, which examines how Americans perceive higher education, revealing insights about public opinion, demographic shifts, and the true drivers of enrollment decline, including surprising data about bipartisan support and demographic trends that challenge popular media narratives.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Public Opinion Reality: Learn why Americans haven’t actually lost faith in higher education, despite media narratives.

✓ Enrollment Insights: Understand the true drivers behind enrollment decline – demographics, economics, and

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

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Dr. Larry Schall, President of the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), about transforming accreditation from prescriptive compliance to innovative partnership.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Accreditation Evolution: Understand how NECHE is leading the shift from prescriptive standards to nuanced, partnership-based quality assurance.

✓ Trust-Based Innovation: Learn how open communication and collaborative problem-solving enable institutions to pursue innovative solutions.

✓ Merger Navigation: Discover how institutions can maintain their unique identity and values through consolidation and change.

✓ System-Wide Solutions: Explore groundbreaking approaches to system-wide accreditation and institutional collaboration.

✓ Leadership Stability: Understand the importance of the connection between presidential tenure, board alignment, and institutional success.

✓ International Expansion: Learn how cross-border accreditation is

November 12, 2024 June 27, 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 from declining enrollment to increasing competition. As mergers become a more common strategy for sustainability and growth, we’re seeing presidents and boards focused on the challenges of post-merger integration. In this article, Drumm shares planning considerations for university leaders, from initial vision alignment through operational execution.

What you’ll find in this article:

✓ Integration Planning: Understanding the elements of a successful integration team and timeline

✓ Strategic Decisions: Evaluating autonomy levels and identity preservation

✓ Operations & Systems: Practical approaches to integrating technology, administrative functions, and academic support

✓ Cultural Considerations: Building cross-institutional collaboration while respecting traditions

✓ Regulatory Requirements: Planning for accreditation and agency approvals

✓ Stakeholder Engagement: Strategies for faculty, staff, and alumni communication

✓ Integration Success: Creating lasting value through

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 episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes Jim Johnsen, former President of the University of Alaska System and Vice President of Executive Search for Greenwood Asher & Associates, to discuss his new book “Public University Systems: Leveraging Scale in Higher Education.”

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ System Governance Insights: Understand how public university systems operate, their structures, and challenges in serving 75% of America’s college students

✓ Strategic System Design: Learn the differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous systems and how states approach system-wide coordination

✓ Scale Optimization Strategies: Discover methods for leveraging institutional scale to achieve political, social, and economic goals while improving operational efficiency

✓ Political Navigation Skills: Master practical approaches to managing complex dynamics between governors, legislators, and system boards

November 5, 2024 June 27, 2026

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