In this AAUA 2026 podcast episode, Dr. Timothy Renick, Executive Director of the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) at Georgia State University, joins host Matt Roche and AAUA President & CEO Dr. Sandra Affenito to explore how colleges and universities can dramatically improve student success, retention, and completion rates while advancing equity and strengthening the higher education value proposition.

Drawing on Georgia State’s nationally recognized record of boosting graduation rates by 70% and closing equity gaps across race, ethnicity, and income, Dr. Renick explains how institutions can leverage data, predictive analytics, proactive advising, and process redesign—even in restrictive DEI and regulatory environments—to achieve measurable ROI and more just outcomes.

Geared toward faculty, department chairs, deans, student affairs leaders, and senior administrators, this episode offers practical insights on change management, breaking down silos, using evidence-based practices, and crafting compelling student success narratives that resonate on campus and with external stakeholders. Listeners will also get a preview of Dr. Renick’s upcoming AAUA annual conference keynote at Cleveland State University, making this a must-hear conversation for anyone committed to building more effective, equitable, and financially sustainable institutions.

Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/Ap00NE5Dr3Y

In this episode of Creating the Future of Higher Education, host and AAUA Board Member Dr. Tim Jansa welcomes Matt Roche (fellow AAUA Board Member and Conference Chair), Dr. Laura Bloomberg (President, Cleveland State University), and Mr. Eytan Wurman (Founder & CEO of CommonTime Pathways) for an insider preview of the AAUA National Conference in Cleveland, October 19-20, 2026.

Together, they explore the theme “Realizing the Higher Education Value Proposition” and discuss how college and university leaders can respond to the enrollment and demographic cliffs, public skepticism about higher education, tight budgets, and an increasingly AI-enabled world while keeping institutions mission-centered and human-focused.

Listeners will hear about a dynamic presidential panel, keynote speaker Dr. Tim Renick on data-informed student success and retention, innovative leadership development and succession planning models, and fresh enrollment strategies that elevate artistic intelligence and the arts as powerful drivers of institutional resilience. Aimed at higher education administrators, faculty leaders, and aspiring managers, this episode invites listeners to rethink the value proposition of higher education and gain practical ideas to strengthen organizations, support staff and students, and lead meaningful change on their campuses.

Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/KpDriCQpZig⁠

How can a college or university become a true learning organization for its people—not just its students? In this episode of the AAUA 26 podcast, executive coach and AAUA board member Dr. Tim Jansa talks with Colonel Chris Richie, Director of Human Resource Development at Auburn University, about the design and impact of the Aspire Auburn leadership development program.

Drawing on his 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and his experience in higher education leadership, Chris Richie explains how Auburn is closing the long-standing gap between when employees become supervisors and when they receive leadership development. He walks through the four program levels—Leading Self, Leading People, Leading Teams, and Leading the Organization—and shows how this values-based leadership framework is embedded into performance management, core values, and the university’s strategic plan.

Listeners will learn how Aspire Auburn:

• Provides leadership development for faculty, staff, and administrators at all levels
• Integrates university core values (integrity, respect, excellence) into everyday leadership practice
• Uses cross-functional peer circles to break down silos and foster campus-wide collaboration
• Turns a voluntary leadership program into a powerful engine for culture change and employee engagement
• Creates measurable ripples of impact on student success, employee experience, and institutional reputation

Whether you are a department chair, dean, program director, mid-level manager, or an aspiring leader in higher education, this conversation offers practical insights on:

• Building sustainable leadership development programs in higher education
• Translating military leadership principles into a university context
• Connecting leadership training to strategic goals and KPIs
• Designing leadership initiatives that are more than “one-off workshops”

If you’re interested in higher education leadership development, organizational culture change, and values-driven leadership on your campus, this episode will give you concrete ideas to adapt and apply in your own institution.

Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/f4REun7pB_0

He details Otterbein’s innovative responses to rising costs and demographic pressures, including debt-free tuition for Pell-eligible students, the Otterbein Advantage Partnership that links employers, scholarships, and internships, and the Otterbein Ready program that embeds internships, professional development, and “adulting 101” into the student experience. Comerford also introduces the Coalition for the Common Good with Antioch University as a new model for collaborative adult education and shared services, and reflects on the dangers of elitism in higher ed and the leadership courage required to chart a different path.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring and current higher education leaders who are wrestling with enrollment cliffs, affordability, mission drift, and the challenge of building institutions that genuinely serve the common good.

Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/s0th6B9HIZw⁠

Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/Tjh_-QUR1Wk⁠

Rooke traces his own path as a low-income, first-generation student and student affairs professional, then challenges narrow ROI narratives that privilege only a few “practical” majors. He and Roche discuss data on the lifetime earnings premium of a bachelor’s degree, the power of liberal arts and humanities to build adaptable leaders, and the central role of student support services, career services, and co-curricular engagement in student success, persistence, and social mobility. They also examine how colleges and universities can better control the narrative about value—through strategic use of TikTok, Instagram, and student-centered web design, stronger alumni storytelling, and deeper partnerships with K–12 and community organizations.

The episode offers concrete insights for higher education leaders seeking to improve graduation rates, equity in outcomes, and stakeholder trust, and sets the stage for deeper exploration of these themes at AAUA’s national conference in October.

While the focus of his talk was AI, Dr. Karbhari addressed whether we, in higher ed, are willing to make the changes that will pave the way for a future where technology empowers graduates to thrive in a rapidly converging world, or if we will allow ourselves to lose relevance and leadership. Dr. Karbhari is introduced by AAUA Board Member Colin Coyne.

To learn more about AAUA, go to https://aaua.org/

For more information on AAUA, go to https://aaua.org/, and for The Sagamore Institute, go to https://sagamoreinstitute.org/

To learn more about joining the American Association of University Administrators, go to www.aaua.org.

To learn more about CHEA, go to https://www.chea.org/

Topics covered include

• mergers and acquisitions in higher education,
• the evolution of the modern learner,
• the role of education in a prosperous future,
• the intersection of sports and academics,
• the importance of accreditation, and
• the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education.

The conference aims to facilitate collaboration among higher education administrators and provide insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities facing the field today.

The year-long "Mentoring Community" program aimed at "Creating powerful peer-to-peer relationships to enhance the skills and knowledge of current and aspiring administrators regarding their respective positions/titles."

The program was carefully designed to fill a gap in leadership development, especially for entry- and mid-level leaders in higher education. Burks notes that by focusing on mentoring, the program aims to address the critical need for succession planning for all levels of leadership in higher education. It will help prepare the next generation of leaders, ensuring a smooth transition of knowledge and skills within academic institutions.

Mentoring Communities will debut at the 2024 conference within a two-hour session, These communities will provide a space for attendees to connect, learn, and discuss relevant topics in education. Monthly check-ins will follow the conference to encourage ongoing conversation and growth. Mentoring Community Topics include;

• Cultivating tomorrow's competencies
• Influencing without authority
• Inclusive well-being in the workplace
• Visionary academic leadership
• Fostering resilience in Generation Z

Dr. Campbell possesses 11 certifications in Health Information Management, Clinical Documentation, Healthcare Compliance, Medical Billing, Auditing, and Coding, clearly demonstrating her commitment to learning. Since two thousand and three, Dr. Campbell has delivered engaging and informative educational sessions to diverse audiences, nationally and internationally, showcasing her strong desire to inspire and educate others.

The author of Grow With Me, Dr. Campbell, believes in empowering others through mentoring, coaching, and innovation to advance a growth mindset. Throughout her journey, she has always believed in a better, more innovative way and has been driven to selflessly share her insights with others.