EdUp Provost

13. Cultivating Innovation Through Serendipity: A Conversation with Christian Busch

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Christian Busch discusses the concept of serendipity in leadership, emphasizing how individuals and organizations can cultivate a mindset to recognize and act on unexpected opportunities. He explores the importance of trust, clarity, and a culture of psychological safety in fostering innovation and resilience within academic institutions. The discussion also highlights the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration, diversity, and overcoming mental shortcuts to create an adaptable academic culture. Dr. Busch provides practical strategies for academic leaders to reframe setbacks as learning opportunities and encourages the development of environments that promote meaningful connections among faculty and students.
Takeaways
Serendipity is about active luck that we create ourselves.
Cultivating a serendipity mindset is essential for leadership.
Reframing setbacks can foster innovation and resilience.
Creating a culture of psychological safety encourages open communication.
Building connections between unrelated ideas can lead to breakthroughs.

12. The (Perception of) Power of the Provost: A Conversation with Mark Kretovics

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Mark Kretovics discusses the dynamics of power and leadership within higher education, particularly focusing on the role of provosts. He explores the unique challenges provosts face regarding their perceived and actual power, the importance of building relationships, and the various leadership styles that can be effective in fostering collaboration. Dr. Kretovics emphasizes the need for provosts to adapt their leadership approach based on the situation and the individuals they are working with, highlighting the balance between transformational and transactional leadership. He also underscores the significance of building influence across different stakeholders within the institution. Mark Kretovics and Gregor Thuswaldner discuss the essential qualities and strategies for effective leadership in higher education, particularly for provosts. They emphasize the importance of building trust, collaboration, and humility, as well as the need for authenticity in relationships. The discussion also covers how to drive institutional change while managing crises effectively and aligning leadership goals with the broader mission of the institution.
Takeaways
Power is defined as the ability to get people to do things.
Provosts operate in a unique position with limited direct power.
Building relationships is essential for effective leadership.
Provosts should focus on institutional goals, not personal agendas.
Situational leadership allows for adaptability in different contexts.

11. The Provost’s Role in Strategic Planning: A Conversation with Mike Moss

In this conversation, EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Mike Moss, president of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), to discuss the evolving role of provosts in higher education, emphasizing the importance of integrated strategic planning. Moss highlights the need for collaboration across departments, effective stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of strategies that promote student success. He also addresses the challenges faced by provosts in fostering a culture of planning and the significance of scenario planning in navigating future uncertainties in the educational landscape. In this conversation, Mike Moss from SCUP discusses the critical role of scenario planning in higher education, emphasizing the need for institutions to be proactive rather than reactive. He highlights the importance of aligning governance with strategic planning, the flexibility required in planning processes, and the necessity of adapting to post-pandemic changes. Moss also addresses the incorporation of emerging technologies and the diverse needs of institutions, advocating for a community of practice approach to foster connections and share insights. Finally, he shares personal leadership insights and the significance of team dynamics in implementing strategic initiatives.
Takeaways
Provosts are increasingly involved in institutional planning.
Effective leadership and communication are essential for collaboration.
Building relationships across departments is crucial for success.
Student success should be the primary focus of planning efforts.
Clarity and brevity in communication enhance understanding.

10. Innovative Strategies for Humanities Education: A Conversation with Alain-Philippe Durand

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Alain-Philippe Durand discusses the importance and relevance of humanities degrees in today's job market, emphasizing the skills they provide that are in high demand. He shares insights on the success of the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona, highlighting strategies for growth, the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the innovative Applied Humanities degree that combines essential skills with professional emphasis. Dr. Durand also addresses common misconceptions about the humanities and shares success stories from alumni. Gregor Thuswaldner and Alain-Philippe Durand discuss the evolving landscape of humanities education, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, the challenges faced by humanities programs, and the impact of AI on language learning. They explore the necessity of maintaining human connections in an increasingly digital world and highlight the significance of contrarian leadership in advocating for the value of humanities in education.
Takeaways
Humanities degrees equip students with critical thinking skills.
There is a growing demand for humanities graduates in various fields.
Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances educational experiences.
Alumni success stories challenge the narrative of humanities being 'useless'.
The Applied Humanities degree combines essential skills with professional training.

9. The Competencies Provosts Need: A Conversation with Jorge Burmicky and Kevin McClure

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, higher education researchers Dr. Jorge Burmiky and Dr. Kevin McClure discuss the essential competencies for college presidents and provosts in higher education. They emphasize the importance of trust-building, effective communication, resilience, emotional intelligence, data acumen, and collaborative leadership. The discussion highlights how these competencies are interconnected and vital for navigating the challenges faced by academic leaders today. The speakers also share insights on how provosts can support these competencies and foster a positive academic environment.
Takeaways
Trust is a key competency for academic leaders.
Effective communication is essential for building trust.
Resilience is necessary in today's challenging educational landscape.
Emotional intelligence helps leaders navigate crises.
Data acumen is crucial for informed decision-making.

8. The Provost and Athletics: A Conversation with Karen Weaver

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Karen Weaver delves into the transformative changes in college athletics, examining the evolving role of the NCAA, the effects of athlete transfers and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities, and the integration of athletics with the broader academic environment. Dr. Weaver, a seasoned expert in athletics administration and author of the forthcoming book College Presidents and College Athletics: Money, Power, Politics (Johns Hopkins University Press), provides insights into the impact of media revenues and the shifting landscape of collegiate sports. The discussion highlights the challenges of resource allocation, the promotion of diversity and inclusion, and the critical role of academic leaders in ensuring student-athletes thrive academically and athletically. The episodes also address the legal and institutional changes reshaping the NCAA's authority, conference realignments, and the need for collaboration between academic and athletic leadership.
Takeaways
Academic leaders must understand the financial dynamics of college athletics.
The NCAA’s control is being legally challenged, impacting its authority.
Athlete transfers are increasingly common due to NIL opportunities.
Media revenues have significantly altered the landscape of college sports.
Provosts should ensure that athletes receive promised academic opportunities

7. Friction in Higher Education: A Conversation with Robert Sutton

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Bob Sutton discusses his latest book, The Friction Project, co-authored with Huggy Rao. The book explores the concept of friction in organizations and how leaders can differentiate between good and bad friction. Sutton shares insights from his experiences at Stanford University and emphasizes the importance of leadership in reducing unnecessary friction in the higher education context to enhance productivity. He provides practical strategies for academic leaders to identify and address friction points within their institutions, advocating for a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches to create a more efficient and supportive environment for faculty and students. Sutton discusses the complexities and challenges of administrative processes in higher education. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, user-centered design, and the need to simplify bureaucratic structures. The discussion also highlights the concept of 'good friction' in fostering creativity and innovation, as well as the necessity of slowing down to make thoughtful decisions. The conversation concludes with a recommendation for academic leaders to embrace actionable strategies for improvement.
Takeaways
Good friction can lead to better outcomes, while bad friction hinders productivity.
Leadership plays a crucial role in identifying and addressing friction points.
Sutton highlights the need for academic leaders to simplify processes.
Practical strategies include evaluating staff on their ability to ease burdens.
The subtraction game can help identify unnecessary processes.

6. Equity in Community Colleges and Beyond: A Conversation with Pamela Eddy

In this conversation with Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Pamela Eddy discusses her insights on equity-driven leadership in community colleges, the challenges faced by provosts, and the importance of data in driving equity initiatives. She emphasizes the need for transformative leadership, the role of communities of practice, and the significance of fostering partnerships to enhance student success. Dr. Eddy also highlights the importance of celebrating successes and creating an environment of care within educational institutions.
Takeaways
Equity-driven leadership focuses on transformative practices.
Communities of practice foster collaboration and support.
Data is essential for understanding student success and equity gaps.
Celebrating student successes can create a positive environment.
Inclusive teaching practices are vital for faculty development.

5. The Future of Educational Technology: A Conversation with Derek Bruff

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Derek Bruff discusses the integration of technology in higher education, emphasizing the importance of aligning teaching goals with technology use. He shares insights on supporting faculty in adopting new technologies, balancing innovation with traditional educational values, and the role of AI in teaching. Dr. Bruff also highlights the significance of creating learning communities and effective faculty development programs to enhance teaching and learning experiences. In this conversation, Derek Bruff and Gregor Thuswaldner discuss the importance of providing faculty with the time and expertise needed to effectively integrate technology into their teaching. They explore successful programs that pair faculty with graduate or undergraduate students to enhance learning experiences. The discussion also highlights the role of provosts in fostering a culture of continuous learning and evaluating technology integration success. They address future trends in educational technology, emphasizing the need for equity and access, and the impact of community on learning.
Takeaways
Teaching and learning goals should drive technology use.
Lead with the why when integrating technology.
Don't undervalue the expertise of your own faculty.
Innovation in education is essential but challenging.
Learning is fundamentally a social experience.

4. Leading with Strategic Thinking in Higher Education: A Conversation with Aaron K. Olson

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, leadership expert and author Aaron K. Olson discusses the importance of strategic leadership in higher education, emphasizing adaptive strategic thinking, systems thinking, and the balance between shared governance and innovation. He highlights the need for provosts to navigate pitfalls in strategic change and the role of directive leadership in certain contexts. Olson also shares insights on effective leadership practices and recommends Richard Rumelt's book, The Crux, as a valuable resource for understanding strategy.
Takeaways
Strategic leadership is essential for navigating change in higher education.
Adaptive strategic thinking involves insight, choice, and risk management.
Systems thinking is crucial for addressing interconnected issues in academia.
Provosts must be aware of the pitfalls in implementing strategic change.
Directive leadership can be necessary in certain situations.