We sit down with William G. (Jerry) Berberet, the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Ernest L. Boyer Award and the founding executive director of what is now the New American Colleges & Universities. Jerry reflects on his decades in academia, the enduring moral vision of Ernest Boyer, the role of leadership and innovation, and his compelling, purpose-driven vision for higher education -- an imperative every bit as vital today as it was thirty years ago. Host: Sean Creighton

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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Florida Southern College President Jeremy Martin reflects on his first year leading the state’s oldest private institution. He discusses accessibility, tradition, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, student needs, and the launch of FSC’s new School of Architecture. Host: Michelle Apuzzio

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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We talk with Kelly Smith, assistant professor of Education at Russell Sage College, about how Positive Education is transforming teacher preparation and classroom culture. Drawing from her years as a teacher and administrator, Kelly shares how these practices help educators foster well-being, both for their students and for themselves, and how Russell Sage became the first college to partner with the Center for Positive Education. Host: Michelle Apuzzio.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU

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Artificial intelligence has long been part of our world, but the rapid rise of generative AI has brought new urgency to questions of how we use it and how we use it responsibly. In this episode of Degrees of Impact, host Michelle Apuzzio speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Allan, assistant professor and director of the Institute for Responsible Technology at Nazareth University. Together, they explore the Institute’s work, the ethical dilemmas that come with AI-driven innovation, and what it means for both universities and businesses striving to harness AI productively.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

In the season six premiere of the (renamed!) NACU podcast, Barry Dornfeld, principal at the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) unpacks why change in higher education is uniquely complex, the common missteps leaders make when driving transformation, and how institutions can emerge from disruption positioned for long-term success while staying true to their missions. Drawing on his background as an anthropologist and ethnographer, Barry shares practical strategies and powerful insights into the cultural dynamics that shape organizational change. Hosted by Michelle Apuzzio.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

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In this episode, host Michelle Apuzzio spotlights a powerful model of applied learning at the University of La Verne. The Integrated Business Program helps students launch real businesses that create authentic community impact, all within a single semester.

Michelle is joined by Program Director Rick Hasse and two standout students, Anthony Garrido and Malia Capistrano, who walk us through how they turned their ideas into functioning businesses in just 16 weeks. It’s the kind of purpose-driven, experiential learning that defines what it means to be part of a NACU institution—where professional preparation meets civic responsibility.

To learn more about Malia's business, go here.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU

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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 Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.

Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.