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Hi, I'm Mike!

With 17 years of insider experience, I specialize in enhancing university operations and strategic planning through innovative, data-driven solutions. Receive succinct, powerful insights on using analytics and artificial intelligence to streamline operations, increase ROI, and make informed strategic decisions. Ideal for C-suite aiming to do more with less and navigate the complexities of modern higher education.

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The Real Cost of Skimping on Employee Training...

Hi there Reader, This week, we dive into some compelling conversations and emerging trends in higher education leadership, from people management to re-thinking your value proposition too investment strategy... Redefining Leadership in Higher Ed: Insights from Robbyn Wacker, Interim President at PNWU In an era where higher education faces growing pressure to adapt, Interim President Robbyn Wacker at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) champions a leadership model rooted in...

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Hi Reader, In this week's edition, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Amber Johnson, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff for the Division of Equity & Inclusion at UC Berkeley. Amber’s leadership philosophy centers around healing and creating psychological safety for academic leaders. Her transition from professor to administrator highlights the vital importance of empathy in leadership, especially when managing institutional change. Through initiatives like her Justice...

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Welcome, Reader. Per usual, we explore how institutions can stay ahead in a dynamic Higher Ed environment... From aligning academic programs with workforce needs to downstream impacts of nuclear tech infrastructure too third order effects of a Trump Victory... This edition is a bit all over the place. 1. Mapping Academic Programs with Workforce Demand: A Strategic Playbook for C-Suite Leaders Ensuring that your academic programs align with in-demand, high-compensation careers is essential for...

Hi there Reader, Welcome back to the latest edition, where we explore the intersections of technology, finance, and strategy shaping the future of higher education. From leveraging agile methodologies to optimize campus operations to assessing how endowments are navigating turbulence to AI hacks, here are a few insights I'm excited to share... Columbia's Endowment Strategy: A Bold Public Equity Play As Ivy League endowment reports start rolling in, Columbia University is leading the pack with...

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Hi there Reader, I hope everything is going as well as possible... How Menlo College’s Startup Mindset is Preparing Students for the Future In a recent conversation, Steven Weiner, President of Menlo College, shared how he’s leveraging Silicon Valley’s startup mentality to redefine higher education. Menlo’s approach centers on mandatory internships, real-world experience, and its proximity to Silicon Valley’s tech giants—ensuring students graduate with both degrees and job offers. Key...

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Hey there, Reader, In this edition, we explore new approaches to college admissions and the power of predictive models.... Novel Approaches to Admissions with Loper: An Interview with Sam Bernstein In my recent conversation with Sam Bernstein, Co-Founder of Loper, we delved into how his company is revolutionizing the college admissions process.... Loper is rethinking how students find their ideal schools by creating personalized matches between students and institutions - using large data...

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Hi there Reader, As we enter a time of continued innovation and change in higher education, staying ahead of key trends—whether technological or related to institutional leadership—has never been more critical.... This edition focuses on several areas where strategic decisions can make a long-term impact, from the tech trends reshaping campuses to the critical role of admissions data in maintaining institutional integrity The Top Tech Trends Impacting Higher Education Exploring McKinsey's...

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Hi there Reader, In this edition, we dive deep into some of the most pressing trends and thought leadership both within - and outside - of the Academy... Exclusive Interview with Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State UniversityNavigating Challenges, Building Opportunity Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State University, shares his journey from first-generation college student to university leader and the unique challenges facing institutions like Fairmont. Davis emphasizes the need for...

Hi there Reader, Happy Fall, my friend... A few insights at the fringes of the Academy. Sara Howard on Agile Leadership in Higher Ed Sara Howard, Chief of Staff at Tally, offers critical insights into driving change in complex environments. Agility in Higher Ed: By blending design thinking with Scrum Agile, Sara has successfully shortened the timeline for institutional change, turning years into months. Crisis Leadership: Her experience during the pandemic and after George Floyd’s murder...

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Hi there Reader, I hope opening went as well as possible... Per usual, I'm writing with a few updates at the fringes of the academy... Balancing Operational Costs with Excellence: Insights from Michael Avaltroni In my recent conversation with Michael Avaltroni, President of Fairleigh Dickinson University, we dove deep into the complex balancing act of managing operational costs while delivering top-notch educational experiences. Michael shared how institutions must navigate the push and pull...