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In this episode, we take a hard look at what real peer connection actually requires and why it’s so difficult to sustain. We're joined by Jackson Boyar, co-founder and CEO of RallyBoard, to explore a model that prioritizes intentional peer groups, shared responsibility, and human interaction over algorithm-driven noise. Together, we unpack what meaningful connection really looks like, how technology can help scale our efforts, and how leaders and participants should rethink engagement, value, and return on time. 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. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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

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. Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACU If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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

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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.