The Innovating Together Podcast

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Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

A common mistake that leaders make is misinterpreting their employees' resistance to change as a lack of willingness or obstinacy. However, the reality is often more complex. Employees may have legitimate concerns about job security, the stability of their careers, and the potential loss of progress they've made. These fears can manifest as resistance, but they stem from a very human need for safety and assurance.

In order to lead change effectively, leaders must first seek to understand these underlying concerns. It's not enough to push for innovation; leaders must also provide a sense of security and stability for their employees. Prioritizing human care and addressing fears head-on can lead to a more successful transition. 

"Often, people in leadership misinterpret resistance to change as a lack of cooperation, when in reality, employees are just worried about feeding their families."

What you will learn -

• Scarcity Mindset

• Resistance to Change 

• Importance of Human Care

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In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman interview Dr. Casey Sacks, President of BridgeValley Community and Technical College. Dr. Sacks talks about her journey in leadership, focusing on making decisions together and the importance of having a mentor. She gives tips on how to be a good leader, like getting advice from experts and using board member support. Dr. Sacks believes in always learning, networking, and how reading classic books can help you think critically. She suggests "The College Administrator" for people in higher education and stresses how having different viewpoints is key in leadership. 

"My board is phenomenally great, and I am really lucky that I have some incredibly supportive board members who care so deeply about this community." - Dr. Casey Sacks

What you will learn -

• Collaborative Approach in Higher Education

• Influence of Personal Experiences on Leadership

• Proudest Leadership Achievement

• Professional Development and Networking

Learn more about President Dr. Casey Sacks by visiting:

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Stats don't lie – the gaps in bachelor's degree attainment are stark and speak volumes. On this episode of the Innovating Together podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman provide an update on higher education trends, the UIA's goal setting process and Bridget shared the dates for the UIA National Summit.

Bridget also discussed some new data trends of concern, including:  Why are men and boys less likely to pursue higher education? How do we bridge the urban-rural education divide? And much more.   Listen in as we explore cross-sector solutions and the concerted effort needed to chart a new course for inclusivity in learning.

"We have to prepare teachers better, think differently about how we support them, and deal with the broader question's about the value of going to college."

What you will learn -

• Recent events in higher education
  

• Challenges and opportunities in higher education
  

• Addressing social mobility, resilient graduates, gender gaps, and urban-rural disparities
  

• UIA National Summit dates
  

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

On this episode of the “Innovating Together” podcast, Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, President of Empire State University, talks about her leadership journey and insights on higher education. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, resilience, and integrity, and stresses the need for access, fairness, and cooperation in education. President Vollendorf also shares her experiences in overcoming challenges and her involvement in student success programs. 

"I think it's very important for people to show up as their authentic selves." - President Dr. Lisa Vollendorf 

What you will learn -

• Career aspirations and finding meaning

• Working towards student success

• The importance of being authentic

• Knowing your north star

Learn more about President Dr. Lisa Vollendorf by visiting:

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Join hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman in an insightful episode of Innovating Together as they interview Ruth Watkins, President of Strada Education Network's Postsecondary Education. Delving into the importance of leadership and collaborative efforts in higher education, Watkins shares insights from her career and the University of Utah's student success journey. The conversation also addresses the gap between perceived and real value of bachelor's degrees for many Americans, emphasizing the need for honest self-assessment. Watkins recommends the book "Team of Teams" for its focus on trust-building and empowering local leaders. Don't miss this exploration of higher education challenges and solutions from a seasoned leader.  

"Even if sometimes it is a bit of an attack, you can always say hmm what then must I do? What do we do to rebuild trust and confidence and support?" - President Ruth Watkins

What you will learn -

• The importance of tackling big issues

• Leadership and reflective leadership

• Recognizing the changing needs of America

• Rebuilding trust and confidence

Learn more about President Ruth Watkins by visiting:

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On this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman talk about the best ways to pitch ideas to other institutions if you want your ideas to scale. They discussed key steps any innovator should take when sharing about a solution, and emphasized the need to start by identifying the problem first. The conversation emphasizes how important it is to understand the audience's issues, focus on shared priorities, and admit to flaws in higher education. Finally, they stressed the importance of openness and honesty in addressing the failings of higher education and a dedication to making things better.

“Ensuring that every individual can reach their full potential in life, regardless of their family background or birthplace, is of utmost importance." - Bridget Burns

What you will learn -

• The challenge of scaling innovations

• The importance of vulnerability and sharing stories of failure

• Achieving full potential in life

• Sharing and validating topics in higher education

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

On this episode of the "Innovating Together Podcast," Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman interview Bill Moses, the Managing Director of the Education Program at the Kresge Foundation. Bill discusses his journey as a leader and his philanthropic work, which focuses on improving access to and success in higher education for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. He explores the role of philanthropy in addressing challenges in higher education, emphasizes the importance of visionary leadership, and highlights the need for institutions to prioritize student service. Additionally, Bill shares his experiences working in South Africa and Mexico, and reflects on his early career witnessing South Africa's transformation into a democracy.

"Without visionary leadership and empowerment, institutional reform and real change are unlikely to occur effectively." - Bill Moses

What you will learn -

• The Role of Philanthropy in Higher Education

• Balancing General Operating Support and Project Support

• Leadership Lessons from College Presidents

• Challenges in higher education

Learn more about Bill Moses by visiting:

Learn more about President Kate Smith by visiting:

On this special episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, Bridget Burns is a guest on the Ascend podcast with hosts Jared Tippett and Eric Kirby. Bridget talks about her career path and the idea of “tripwires” in higher education. These tripwires are small administrative obstacles that impede student success. She stresses the importance of universities listening to their students, comprehending their experiences and goals, and taking action based on their feedback. Bridget introduces the concept of the "Listening Lab for Transformation" and explores the significance of a supportive culture, effective student engagement, and the utilization of data to enhance student success. 

"Your brain is going to lie to you, and it is going to exaggerate fear around anything that is new. You need to question your brain because it's going to tell you lies." - Bridget Burns

What you will learn -

• The Tripwires in Higher Education

• The importance of empathy and student perspective

• Measuring student success and the limitations of current metrics

• Supporting students through empathy and process mapping

Learn more about Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby by visiting:

On this episode of the "Innovating Together," Bridget Burns and Ian Wilhelm interview Dr. Tim Renick, the founder of the National Institute for Student Success. The episode focuses on the issue of high DFW rates in higher education institutions and the need for better data and evidence-based approaches to solve this problem. Dr. Renick talks about the innovative practices that Georgia State University has implemented, such as the Accelerator Program, to improve student success. They also discuss biases within higher education institutions and the importance of recognizing and addressing them to promote innovation and effective solutions.

"We're literally failing these students in their classes, and we need to take this as a common responsibility to work out a cooperative solution across the whole institution, rather than saying this is on the faculty member teaching the class to figure out a problem that is a national in scope." - Dr. Tim Renick

What you will learn -

• The problem of DFW rates and the need for change

• Troubling trends in student performance

• The effectiveness of using AI-enhanced chatbots in academic courses

• Leadership and making tough decisions

Learn more about Dr. Tim Renick by visiting:

On this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, Mark Becker, President of Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), discusses the evolving expectations for university presidents. He emphasizes the significance of universities delivering value in terms of job prospects for students. President Becker also reflects on his own leadership journey and the challenges faced by university presidents in the current political climate. Bridget Burns, adds that the presidency in higher education should be elevated as a crucial leadership role, and presidents should be respected and learned from.

"Today, people want to know if I go to your institution, am I going to get a degree that is going to lead to a job in a career that I want?" - President Mark Becker

What you will learn -

• The importance of job placement for students
• Challenges Faced by Universities
• Listening and Communicating with Different Perspectives
• The need for a nuanced conversation about higher education

Learn more about President Mark Becker by visiting:

In today's episode, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman preview the next season of weekly wisdom and review the interviews from the past season that they each found most compelling. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in this moment, particularly the elements that will challenge leadership in the chapter ahead. They emphasize the importance of leaders taking the initiative to shape the future of higher education, rather than being reactive to external pressures. They highlight the need for authenticity in leadership and reflect on some of the most valuable conversations from previous episodes. They also discuss the issue of turnover in leadership positions and the impact it has on innovation, while stressing the importance of leaders having a clear vision and the ability to inspire and bring people together. 

"There's a level of candor and accessibility that is needed in this next chapter, like you and I see all the time, the skepticism about higher ed and the public,  skepticism about higher education by the public.?" - Bridget Burns

What you will learn -

• ​​The defense versus offense analogy

• Reflection on past episodes and interesting conversations

• The pivot and potential constraint

• Turnover and transition challenges

Learn more about Doug Lederman by visiting:

In today’s episode of the Innovating Together podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman talk with Vincent Rougeau, a former law dean, and the current President of College of the Holy Cross. President Rougeau spent a good part of his career in legal education, and was a law dean prior to taking the Holy Cross job. Today, he shares his insights on how his legal training and experience leading in a law school has affected how he leads. 

President Rougeau believes that in order to be an effective leader, it requires a deep understanding of oneself. To be an authentic leader, you must be able to recognize your strengths, weaknesses, values, goals, and interests and use them to your advantage. He believes that it is just as important to see those in others. This means that as the leader, you should focus on serving the needs of the team and the organization, rather than your own personal needs and desires. President Rougeau stated that this can be difficult, as the natural instinct of a leader is to focus on their own needs and desires first. However, by focusing on the needs of the team and the organization, the leader is able to create an environment of collaboration and trust. This allows the team and the organization to thrive and grow.

“I was fortunate enough to have a role model in my life who taught me the importance of leading with service. My father was deeply devoted to principles, often making serious sacrifices to benefit many people beyond himself. He was involved in the civil rights movement and was jailed for his work. From him, I learned that if you lead primarily to gain something for yourself, it may not be the best motivation. Instead, if you lead to improve an organization or institution on behalf of many, then you will be more successful.” - President Rougeau

What you will learn -

• Authentic leadership is key

• Diverse leadership in institutions

• Building a Positive Community

• Many pathways to success

Learn more about President Rougeau by visiting:

In this week’s episode of Weekly Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman announced that Virginia Commonwealth University has joined the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) as a new member. Bridget explained, “The University Innovation Alliance is a collection of institutions who are scaling innovation to eliminate their equity gaps and actually improve outcomes and produce more high-quality graduates across the country.” 

Michael Rao, the President of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and VCU Health, a research and teaching institution and comprehensive healthcare system, was this week’s guest. A few of the main topics discussed were the partnership between UIA and VCU, collaborative endeavors, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted VCU’s role in the community.

Doug began off the conversation by asking, “What attracted VCU to UIA?” and “What does your institution gain from this partnership?”

 President Rao said, “We have a lot in common. We are motivated to make a difference. We are geared to research that matters to people.” He shared that he likes having regular contact with colleagues to learn from each other. 

Bridget added that “VCU shares UIA’s values.” She said, the UIA president is willing to talk about the hard stuff. President Rao continued to answer Doug’s question by sharing that when he started as President of VCU the graduation rate was under 50% in terms of their 6-year graduation rate and now the graduation rate is around 70%. 

He feels there is more that can be done to reach diverse populations. He thinks colleagues can learn from each other – and what works and doesn’t work for different groups of people. “What we as presidents expect to gain from each other is sharing positive energy about what’s possible.”

Bridget asked President Rao to share examples of collaborative endeavors he has experienced. He shared that when he was on the NCAA board, he discovered, “it was worth every second I put into it because I got so much back.” He found chatting with other presidents in between board meetings about similar issues they were both dealing with and asked, “What do you think?”  

He also said that when he was chair of the statewide council of presidents, along with the president of the University of Virginia, they were connecting two to three times a week via phone and eventually via video during COVID-19.  It helped to not be a “lonely island.” 

“Putting people in the right place” is critical for a president, said XXX. Strategies are shaped by conversations with other presidents. 

Doug asked, “How has VCU’s role in the community shifted during the pandemic?” 

President Rao responded, “a lot of the changes are focused on more inclusively engaging with people who have not been a part of what has been going on.”  He shared an example of how they switched their freshman convocation from an indoor event to an outdoor event with more than 4,000 people there. 

Several students expressed appreciation for not canceling the in-person event and not being in front of a screen. There were also many students who asked, “Can you get more stuff online for us? We really like that option.”  He shared with the freshmen, “There is more information out there than there has ever been, but also more agenda’s than there have ever been. You’ve got to develop your own sense and your own gut of what you believe in. What are your values? Decide whether what you are hearing matches that.” 

He believes it’s important that public universities be disciplined to be places where people can look to for the truth

Learn more about President Rao by visiting:

In this episode of the “Innovating Together” podcast, host Bridget Burns and co-host Doug Lederman are joined by Mark  D. Milliron, President of National University in California. President Milliron discusses his experience serving on various boards and how it has shaped his understanding of building great board relationships. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and involving board members in strategic and policy work. President Milliron also highlights the need for collaboration in higher education, particularly in improving the success of low-income, first-generation students. He shares valuable career advice, including the importance of playing to one's strengths and creating an authentic and mission-driven environment.

"I've absolutely fundamentally dedicated my life to helping more, and more diverse, students be more successful in the world of higher education so that they have more opportunities in their lives." - President Milliron

What you will learn -

• The power of grace and understanding

• Creating a meaningful environment

• The core elements of good leadership

• Taking care of oneself as a leader

Learn more about President Mark  D. Milliron by visiting:

In this episode, Brian Blake, the President of Georgia State University, discusses his career trajectory and the unique perspective he brings to his role. He emphasizes the importance of setting a supportive framework for research enterprise growth and shares his experience at Drexel University where research success was serendipitous. President Blake highlights the integration of career readiness into the classroom from day one and the need for partnerships with industry, government, and graduate schools. He also discusses the influence of different leadership styles and the value of delivering high-quality work. President Blake shares valuable advice he received and recommends the book “Presidencies Derailed” for academic leadership insights.

"Just concentrate on quality, everything else will fall into place." - President Brian Blake

What you will learn -

• The college to careers ecosystem

• Integrating career readiness into classrooms

• The importance of quality

• Elevating different leadership journeys

Learn more about President Blake by visiting:

As a third generation faculty member, President Taylor Randall has always been passionate about the University of Utah. President Randall served as a professor for over 10 years and Dean for over 12, before becoming the university's President last year. While making that transition, President Randall said he tried to assume that he didn’t know as much as he thought he did, and focused on listening. This strategy enabled him to tap into the heart, soul, and values of the campus. President Randall says coming into the presidency on the tail end of Covid wasn’t easy, but it taught him to communicate and empathize differently. It also reinforced the role of a leader in identifying and focusing the attention of the institution toward an optimistic future. President Randall was able to give staff and students the facts, while still keeping them moving towards the light. He says it’s all about balancing optimism and transparency.

President Randall was able to position the University of Utah for inclusion in the University Innovation Alliance. Through this partnership, the University of Utah will collaboratively work to increase student success and improve outcomes for graduates. President Randall believes we are at a point where we need to redefine what it means to be a public institution. We have to redefine our obligations to stakeholders; state, public, and most importantly, students.   President Randall's goal is for the student experience to be one that creates extreme passion and confidence among graduates.

What You’ll Learn:

• What it means to be a member of the University Innovation Alliance.

• What University of Utah students value.

• What Dean’s need to understand about being President.

• How the transition from Covid has been. 

Favorite Quote:

“We’re irrationally passionate about the University of Utah.” -Taylor Randall

How to Connect with President Randall:

In this week’s episode of Weekly Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman announced that Virginia Commonwealth University has joined the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) as a new member. Bridget explained, “The University Innovation Alliance is a collection of institutions who are scaling innovation to eliminate their equity gaps and actually improve outcomes and produce more high-quality graduates across the country.” 

Michael Rao, the President of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and VCU Health, a research and teaching institution and comprehensive healthcare system, was this week’s guest. A few of the main topics discussed were the partnership between UIA and VCU, collaborative endeavors, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted VCU’s role in the community.

Bridget asked President Rao to share examples of collaborative endeavors he has experienced. He shared that when he was on the NCAA board, he discovered, “it was worth every second I put into it because I got so much back.” He found chatting with other presidents in between board meetings about similar issues they were both dealing with and asked, “What do you think?”  

He also said that when he was chair of the statewide council of presidents, along with the president of the University of Virginia, they were connecting two to three times a week via phone and eventually via video during COVID-19.  It helped to not be a “lonely island.” 

“Putting people in the right place” is critical for a president, said XXX. Strategies are shaped by conversations with other presidents. 

Bridget asked President Rao to expand about why it is helpful for presidents to team up. He shared an example, “One of my big jobs was to start a new medical school at the other institution from which I had come. I teamed up with a president who had started a new medical school. He was literally just a year or two ahead of me. I went and visited him and his team, and I came back with a very clear plan.”

Several students expressed appreciation for not canceling the in-person event and not being in front of a screen. There were also many students who asked, “Can you get more stuff online for us? We really like that option.”  He shared with the freshmen, “There is more information out there than there has ever been, but also more agenda’s than there have ever been. You’ve got to develop your own sense and your own gut of what you believe in. What are your values? Decide whether what you are hearing matches that.” 

Learn more about President Rao by visiting:

Weekly Wisdom Interview with UIC Interim Chancellor Javier Reyes

On today's episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman interview Javier Reyes, interim chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. We discussed his experience as an interim chancellor and the importance of collaboration and teamwork in leadership.

Chancellor Reyes emphasized the need to gather input from all team members and to maintain collegiality, even when there are disagreements. He acknowledged the challenge of being the ultimate decision-maker and taking responsibility for those decisions. He mentioned some surprising elements of the chancellorship, such as the singleness of being the decision-maker, the need to balance the demands of the role with maintaining a sense of humanity and empathy for those affected by the decisions being made.

Chancellor Reyes also shared his advice for those earlier in their careers, suggesting that they not only listen to the person speaking, but also to others who may have heard different perspectives.

Two books that have been particularly helpful in Chancellor Reyes leadership journey have been: “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen M.R. Covey and “It's Your Ship” by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff.

"Being a president or chancellor requires complete focus and attention for the institution, and is a lifestyle rather than just a job." - Chancellor Reyes

What you will learn -

• The Role of an Interim Chancellor

• Challenges of Interim Leadership

• The Importance of Collaboration and Trust in Leadership

Learn more about Chancellor Reyes by visiting:

In today's episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman are interviewing President Daria Willis.  President Willis is the current president of Howard Community College. President Willis shares her experience and advice on how to navigate the early stages of a new presidency. She emphasizes the importance of listening to various perspectives, and avoiding disparaging one's predecessor. 

Being a new leader in an institution can be a daunting task, especially if you're the first person of color or woman in the role. President Willis offers valuable advice for new presidents on how to navigate the early stages of their presidency. She emphasizes the importance of being guarded and not trusting everyone immediately, especially those who may have their own agendas. She advises taking the time to listen to various perspectives and picking up on common themes to gain a clearer picture of the institution. She suggests taking a strategic approach to leadership and bringing in trusted colleagues to provide a different perspective.

Today's conversation also touches on the challenges of turnover and the importance of long-term planning for institutions. President Willis discuss the pressure to differentiate oneself from the previous leader, and how boards can contribute to this pressure by emphasizing the need for a new leader to take the institution to the "next level," without defining what that means. She notes that this can set new leaders up for failure, especially if they are the first person of color or woman in the role.

President Willis talks about the importance of having a coach who can help you think from a business and entrepreneurial mindset, especially if you come from a non-business background. She also emphasizes the need for boards to have more diverse representation to better understand and support the president's vision. President Willis shares her positive experience with a former board chair who provided her with a safe space to discuss issues and helped her move forward during the pandemic.

President Willis provides valuable insights and advice for new community college presidents, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, listening to various perspectives, and finding time for reflection and personal growth. President Willis's experience and wisdom serve as a valuable resource for anyone navigating the early stages of a new presidency.

“I have learned that who you see, what you see is what you get. I'm going to keep it 100, and I know how to act when I get in front of state legislators and all of that stuff, but I'm still Dr. Willis.” - President Daria Willis

What you will learn -

• Authentic leadership is key

• Diverse leadership in institutions

• Building a Positive Community

• Many pathways to success

Learn more about President Willis by visiting:

In today’s episode of the Innovating Together podcast, hosts Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman talk with Vincent Rougeau, a former law dean, and the current President of College of the Holy Cross. President Rougeau spent a good part of his career in legal education, and was a law dean prior to taking the Holy Cross job. Today, he shares his insights on how his legal training and experience leading in a law school has affected how he leads. 

President Rougeau believes that in order to be an effective leader, it requires a deep understanding of oneself. To be an authentic leader, you must be able to recognize your strengths, weaknesses, values, goals, and interests and use them to your advantage. He believes that it is just as important to see those in others. This means that as the leader, you should focus on serving the needs of the team and the organization, rather than your own personal needs and desires. President Rougeau stated that this can be difficult, as the natural instinct of a leader is to focus on their own needs and desires first. However, by focusing on the needs of the team and the organization, the leader is able to create an environment of collaboration and trust. This allows the team and the organization to thrive and grow.

“I was fortunate enough to have a role model in my life who taught me the importance of leading with service. My father was deeply devoted to principles, often making serious sacrifices to benefit many people beyond himself. He was involved in the civil rights movement and was jailed for his work. From him, I learned that if you lead primarily to gain something for yourself, it may not be the best motivation. Instead, if you lead to improve an organization or institution on behalf of many, then you will be more successful.” - President Rougeau

What you will learn -

• Authentic leadership is key

• Diverse leadership in institutions

• Building a Positive Community

• Many pathways to success

Learn more about President Rougeau by visiting:

In today's episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman have a conversation with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, a trustee at Stanford who recently served as the CIO and Secretary of Administration for the state of Kansas. Dr. Burns-Wallace shares her leadership insights gathered from her extensive higher education and government background. 

After four years of hard work, Dr. Burns-Wallace is taking an intentional pause, and she shares the importance of taking an intentional pause from work to avoid burnout and stay motivated. The need for renewal is more than just taking a break. It’s about taking the time to reflect on our goals and our motivations, and to remember why we do what we do. It’s about taking the time to assess our progress and to make sure we are still on the right track and reconnecting with our passions and finding new ways to make an impact.

Dr. Burns-Wallace is a great example of someone who invested in her team members. She met with them on a regular basis, pouring her time, talents, and experience into them. She empowered them and provided them with the resources they needed to do their jobs. This investment in her team members paid off tremendously.

Dr. Burns-Wallace has learned many things throughout her career, and two of the leaders she admires most are Secretary Colin Powell and Ambassador Ruth Davis.  Secretary Colin Powell taught her about the importance of humility and kindness in leadership. He taught her how to be genuinely interested in people and how to use that to impact the work that she was doing. “Ambassador Ruth Davis taught me the importance of being prepared and ready for any opportunity. She instilled in me the importance of doing the work and being ready for opportunities when they present themselves.”

Dr. Burns-Wallace said, “at the end of the day, it is important for leaders to remember the concept of ‘leave it better than you found it.’ This concept is more than just leaving a place in better condition than when you arrived. It is about taking the time to think about the legacy you are leaving behind. It is about taking the time to think about the impact that you are having on the people and the places you are working with. It is about understanding the needs of the people you are working with and creating solutions that can help create a better future for our communities.  With the right attitude and mindset, we can create a better future for our communities.” - Dr. Burns-Wallace

What you will learn -

• Intentional pause VS. taking a break

• Invest in team and staff

• Be prepared and ready

• Leave it better than you found it

Learn more about Dr. Burns-Wallace by visiting:

Today is a special episode of Start the Week with Wisdom. Bridget Burns is solo today,  introducing listeners to Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace. Later in the episode, we will have the chance to listen to a keynote speech given by Dr. Burns-Wallace. This episode will be a precursor to next week's episode, where you will get to hear directly from Dr. Burns Wallace. 

In this keynote, Dr. Burns-Wallace emphasizes the importance of removing physical, and digital clutter as well as reducing mental clutter, such as stress, by taking time for ourselves and focusing on our own wellbeing. By removing the clutter, it allows us to focus on what matters and prioritize our tasks. It can also help us to be more productive and efficient, as we are no longer weighed down by the clutter of our lives. By taking time to declutter our lives, we can make room for the important things that will help us to succeed.

Dr. Burns-Wallace also talks about why the key to success is understanding ourselves and our goals, and how taking the time to build habits will help us achieve them. It is essential to be mindful of our mental health and create a space for us to focus on our goals. By understanding our needs and utilizing techniques and tools that work for us, we can build habits for success.

We need to take the time to identify what works best for us and our lifestyle. This could include using apps to help manage our tasks, or reading books to gain new knowledge. It is critical to create a space for ourselves to practice intentionality and focus on our goals. 

What you will learn -

• Burnout and innovation

• Reduce mental clutter to succeed

• Optimizing efficiencies

• Building capacity for intentional work

Learn more about Dr. Burns-Wallace by visiting:

In today’s episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, hosts Bridget Burns & Ian Wilhelm interview Drew Magliozzi, the CEO of Mainstay about the rise of ChatGPT and the impact of generative AI on college student success.

Drew, Bridget, and Ian discuss the breakthrough innovations of ChatGPT’s large language model (LLM), as well as the need for institutions to vet their technology partners carefully and look for those with relevant experience in higher education. They touch on both the risks and opportunities of AI in education, and the importance of balancing the technology’s potential (e.g., creating more personalized learning experiences and supporting with grading) with its pitfalls (including privacy concerns and the risk of bias). 

What you will learn -

• Innovation takes time and resources

• Invest in technology to help students

• Vet technology partners carefully

• Embrace innovation opportunities

Learn more about Drew Magliozzi by visiting:

In today's episode of the "Innovating Together Podcast”, Doug and Bridget are speaking with Dr. Jolene Koester, who is the interim Chancellor of the California State University System. She is also the former president of California State University, Northridge.

Dr. Koester discussed the importance of building trust. This is especially true when it comes to leadership. Leaders must build trust in order to lead effectively. Without trust, people will not follow, and the leader will not be successful. She also discusses the importance for leaders to recognize the divide between the system and the campus. This is why it is essential for leaders to spend time with the system office and understand how it works and who the people are. Overall, leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Leaders must be willing to recognize the differences between the system and the university and adjust their approach accordingly.

Leaders need to be willing to take risks and make decisions that will benefit their organization. They need to be prepared to face challenges and failure and learn from their mistakes, as well as be open to feedback and criticism, as this can help them become more effective and successful. This will help ensure that the team is working towards a common goal and can achieve success.

One of the books that Dr. Koester  recommends most often is “The Advantage” by Patrick Lencioni, which discusses the importance of having a small leadership team and avoiding the temptation to add people just to avoid making people feel bad. He also emphasized the importance of finding joy in leadership, as it can be a challenging and demanding role.

What you will learn -

• Build trust to lead effectively
• Why you should seek advice
• Leadership requires understanding
• Why it is important to lead from your values

Learn more about Dr. Jolene Koester by visiting:

Innovation Spotlight is a new show UIA created in partnership with The Chronicle of Higher Education. Ian and Bridget are the cohosts of the show, and Ian interviewed Bridget about the challenges she is observing on campuses across higher education, as well as the solutions she sees as useful to support advancing change.

She talked about the challenge of turnover and transition as being the key challenges impacting institutions at the moment, she recommended that always selecting co-captains and cross-functional teams to shepherd any new initiative on campus.

She also suggested that institutions should focus on their process for supporting new ideas to ensure that they have a protocol to cultivate creativity, and innovation. This can be done in a number of ways, such as brainstorming sessions, white-boarding, and “Yes-And” exercises.

Bridget and Ian then went on to introduce and interview Peter Temes, the President of the Institute for Innovation in Large Organizations (ILO), which brings together members from different industries to share their experiences and best practices.

Peter shared that the ability to learn from the successes and failures of others is an invaluable tool for organizations. By doing so, organizations can reduce the cost of failure and increase their success rate. This is especially important for small teams and organizations who may not have the resources to experiment with new ideas. In addition to learning from others, organizations can also create their own experiments and test their ideas quickly. By testing ideas quickly and looking for early signals, organizations can lower the cost of failure and continue to experiment without harm being done when the experiments fail. This will lead to more learning and a higher success rate. Small teams can also benefit from learning from other people’s failures in order to lower the cost of failure and continue innovating and achieving their goals.

What you will learn -

• Why you should prioritize new ideas
• How to lower the cost of failure
• Why it is important to embrace discovery and change
• Trust and humility are key

Learn more about the ILO by visiting: