In an evolving job market, professionals need flexible, targeted learning opportunities to stay current and to determine if graduate education is the right next step. In this episode of the NACU podcast, Michelle Apuzzio speaks with Marcy Taylor, Program Coordinator at Hood College, about their innovative Skill Accelerator Badge Program. Learn how this short-form credentialing initiative is helping individuals build job-ready skills, gain confidence, and position themselves for long-term success in the workforce.

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Duwain Pinder, Partner at McKinsey & Company, explores some of the most pressing issues facing higher education today. He discusses innovation in the face of change, strategies for averting the demographic cliff, and why closing disparities is central to redefining ROI through the lens of equity. The conversation also connects these strategies to the sustainability challenges and pressures confronting institutions.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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Futurist Bryan Alexander examines the impact of climate change on higher education in his award-winning book, Universities on Fire: Higher Education in the Climate Crisis. He discusses multiple possible futures—one driven by innovation in teaching, learning, and campus design, and another, more dire scenario, marked by widespread institutional closures and the potential loss of climate change research. This episode explores the spectrum between these extremes and highlights the crucial role students continually play in shaping the future.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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With AI usage among students on the rise, how can educators ensure they’re fostering critical thinking rather than passive reliance? In this episode of the NACU podcast, we speak with Dr. Allison Seitchik, an associate professor of psychology at Merrimack College, who has been researching the ethical and effective integration of AI in education. Dr. Seitchik shares insights from her own learning journey, discusses the AI guide she developed, and offers practical advice for faculty navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. Access Dr. Seitchik's guide here.

Access the Global AI Faculty Survey report from the Digital Education Council.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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In this episode, we sit down with Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, to explore how technology is shaping the future of education. Although The Community Solution institutions are geared toward graduate and professional education, the rapidly evolving job market brings about a fundamental truth: the most valuable trait for college graduates isn’t just expertise—it’s a willingness to learn and adapt as technology continues to reshape the workforce.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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Improving student outcomes is a top priority for institutions, with student persistence—a student's determination to stay enrolled and work toward a degree or credential—being a key metric. In this episode, Samyr Qureshi, founder and CEO of Knack, a peer-to-peer tutoring platform, discusses how institutions can boost persistence rates by leveraging creating a network of peer tutors, ensuring students are connected to resources that keep them engaged and on track.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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We examine the important topic of student success with Drew Koch, the chief executive officer of the Gardner Institute which has been at the forefront of initiatives to improve student retention, equity, and academic outcomes for more than two decades. Drew discusses how the Gardner Institute works with institutions to assess, plan, and execute strategies that improve student success with measurable results and what institutions should think about as they work towards their own student success goals.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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Paul LeBlanc, retired president of Southern New Hampshire University and the 2024 NACU Ernest Boyer Award recipient, shares his remarkable journey from a first-generation college student to leading the transformation of SNHU into the nation’s largest online university. In this episode, he reveals the “secret sauce” behind SNHU’s success and tackles pressing issues in higher education, including affordability, access, and the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling in an AI-driven workforce. LeBlanc reflects on the leadership qualities needed to navigate today’s challenges and emphasizes reclaiming Ernest Boyer’s legacy of truth and ethical action, even when it involves taking risks. This thought-provoking conversation explores how higher education can uphold social justice, revive the American Dream, and inspire institutions to lead with love—showing students that they truly matter.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the NACU podcast, where we explore innovative ideas and collaborative strategies in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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