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A former professor and dean, licensed clinical psychologist, and certified executive coach answers a listener question about navigating silos, unclear decision-making, and differing views on institutional culture in higher education. She shares a three-step cycle of seeing, appraising, and acting, and explains how curiosity, perspective taking, and candid feedback can build trust. One small step forward is enough.

An executive search consultant and former chief human resources officer answers a listener question about building credibility in a new role when responsibilities are slow to arrive. He explains that trust is rooted in predictability and takes time, so keeping your commitments, learning the culture, and being patient can help you earn respect and expand your responsibilities. A slow start is rarely about you, and a deliberate first 90 days can set you up for success.

A higher education leader with more than 30 years of experience as a faculty member, provost, and vice president for academic affairs answers a listener question about preparing for a first management role. She explains why a growth mindset matters, how managers can lead from any spot on the organizational chart, and how to tell powerful stories about transferable skills like judgment, problem solving, and teamwork. She also shares why recalibrating goals is a sign of wisdom, how humility strengthens your leadership, and how mentors, coaches, and trusted colleagues can help you see your potential and grow into your next role.

An executive search consultant and former chief human resources officer explains how to build simple habits that keep your resume current, so you're never scrambling to reconstruct years of accomplishments. Recording wins while they're fresh, maintaining a master resume you tailor for different roles, scheduling quick quarterly updates, and keeping your LinkedIn profile consistent can help you stay ready for your next opportunity whenever it comes.

Dr. Dianne Valdivia, associate vice-provost of human resources and adjunct professor at Miami-Dade College, joins the podcast to discuss what it takes to retain talented staff in higher ed, from building supervisor-employee trust to using "stay interviews" instead of waiting until an employee is already out the door.

Dr. Ilene Crawford, executive coach and former provost, joins the podcast to discuss whether higher ed professionals can advance into mid- or senior-level roles without pursuing a traditional management track, and what that path might look like.

Douglas Haynes, professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and author of "Teaching Toward Slow Hope: Place-Based Learning in College and Beyond," joins the podcast to discuss how colleges and universities can help students connect their education to purpose, community and belonging. He examines the growing emphasis on career readiness in higher education and explains how place-based and community-based learning, including Northland College's Superior Connections program, can help students build relationships, find meaning and see new possibilities for their futures.

A former dean and psychologist explains how to negotiate fringe benefits and campus resources when starting a research role without full salary support. Understanding how university budgets are structured, building a clear rationale for each request, and framing the conversation as collaborative rather than transactional can help you set yourself up for success from day one.

John Festervand, a higher education advancement professional and executive producer of the documentary An Open Door, joins the podcast to talk about storytelling as a skill for every higher ed professional --not just those in marketing or communications. Building on his experience producing a documentary about Dr. Temple Grandin and years of donor engagement, he shares how to identify and elevate the stories happening on campus, why storytelling is central to leadership and advocacy, and how job seekers can use it to stand out in cover letters and interviews.

A mediator and HR leader shares how to ask the right questions when a restructure feels shrouded in secrecy, and how to rebuild trust while processing the disappointment. Staying professional, seeking support, and methodically planning next steps can help you move forward without burning bridges.

The HigherEdJobs Podcast returns for season 6 with an Ask the Expert episode, joined once again by Dr. Emilio Ulloa, associate chief diversity officer for MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) affairs and professor of psychology at San Diego State University, to address how faculty can plan for the first part of the semester. He offers a timeline for getting organized early, and shares strategies for setting expectations, building routines, and staying ahead as the semester gets underway.

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dan Griffith, mediator, lawyer, and HR leader, addresses what to do when you suspect age discrimination played a role in a hiring or restructuring decision at your institution. Be sure to read the accompanying article, Am I a Victim of Age Discrimination? Separating Facts from Beliefs.

In this episode, Dr. Patrick Brugh, director of the Center for Staff Life Design at Johns Hopkins University, talks about how life design -- an approach originally built for students -- is now helping staff figure out where they want to go, who can help them get there, and why they should stay.

In this Ask the Expert episode, Dr. Emilio Ulloa, associate diversity officer for MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) Affairs and professor of psychology at San Diego State University, addresses how tenure-track faculty should approach the third-year review. He touches on points from his article Navigating the Make-Or-Break-It Third Year Review and explains why reframing the review as a diagnostic checkpoint, treating feedback as data, and balancing pride with humility can help faculty stay on track and course-correct before the formal review arrives.

In this episode, Dr. Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explains how colleges and universities can better support student mental health through stronger campus-wide systems and more empowered practitioners. She examines how institutional silos create friction for students navigating support services, what faculty and staff can do to have more meaningful conversations before defaulting to referrals, and how institutions can use student voices and low-cost strategies to identify and address gaps in care.