HigherEdJobs Podcast

Mark Coldren, leadership and engagement specialist with CUPA-HR, returns to discuss temporary roles in higher education, sharing how professionals can evaluate risk, reward, and context when considering short-term opportunities as part of a long-term career strategy.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Tontz, clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University, and Dr. Monteigne Long, director of Veteran and Military Services for the Texas A&M University System, discuss their edited collection, "Supporting Military-Connected College Students: Applying Theory to Student Affairs Practice." They explore how support for military-connected students has evolved beyond benefits and compliance to a more holistic, student-centered approach. The conversation highlights the growing and diverse population of military-connected learners, the importance of co-production in designing effective campus services, and how institutions can use assessment not as a measure of worth, but as a tool for continuous improvement.

In this episode, Mark Coldren, Leadership & Engagement Specialist at CUPA-HR and retired associate vice president for human resources at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), discusses how higher education professionals can pursue internal career growth without damaging relationships. He shares helpful ways to  time conversations, build credibility, and navigate opportunities while maintaining trust and long-term career momentum.

In this episode, Dr. Deborah J. Cohan discusses her  HigherEdJobs article, “General Education Deserves a Facelift.” She shares why general education is often seen as something to “get out of the way,” how it shapes student growth beyond the classroom, and how faculty and administrators can reframe its purpose.

What does the day-to-day work of a university chancellor actually involve? In this episode, Dr. Austin Lane, Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, joins the HigherEdJobs Podcast to discuss the responsibilities and realities of leading a major public institution.With more than three decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Lane reflects on his journey from student-facing counseling roles to executive leadership. He discusses the duties of the role, including engaging with students, faculty, staff, boards, and community stakeholders, while balancing the personal and professional demands of senior leadership. He also shares perspectives for professionals aspiring to, or already serving in, leadership roles on staying grounded in a student-centered mission while guiding an institution forward.

What does it mean to be “on” in high-stakes moments like interviews, job talks, and presentations? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Moser, communication expert, performance coach, and professor of practice at Northwestern University, discusses how nerves affect performance and why preparation, audience focus, and flexible storytelling help professionals stay clear, conversational, and confident when the pressure is on.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Christopher D. Lee discusses how candidates should approach salary questions during interviews. He explains why preparation, market research, and understanding total compensation are essential, and advises candidates to avoid naming a single number too early, consider offering a range if pressed, and remain focused on role fit while negotiating thoughtfully.

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Brennan returns to the podcast to talk about heart-first leadership and what empathy looks like in action in higher education workplaces. Inspired by his article, “How To Be the Leader Everyone Actually Wants To Work For,” he shares several ways leaders can support overwhelmed teams and build psychological safety on campus. The conversation introduces the LASER method as a framework for listening to, acknowledging, and following up on concerns, offering higher ed professionals realistic strategies for improving morale, retention, and day-to-day team culture.

In this episode, Leah Jackson, assistant director of editorial strategy at HigherEdJobs, joins the podcast to discuss keeping momentum after being hired. Drawing from her articles “4 Ways to Prepare for Your New Job” and “Starting a New Job? Consider These Strategies for Success,” the conversation focuses on how higher education professionals can prepare for a new role and carry that energy into the early days on the job, from onboarding basics and understanding campus culture to building relationships, staying organized, and setting realistic goals for the first weeks and months. The discussion also references the article "How to Introduce Yourself" by HigherEdJobs contributor Justin Zackal.

In this episode, Mark Need, venture legal analyst in residence at IU Ventures and professor and clinical director at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, joins the podcast to discuss how law degrees translate into careers across higher education. Mark shares guidance for JDs who want to work with students but struggle to break into higher ed without traditional academic experience, including how to position their skills in the hiring process. He also explains how legal training fits naturally into experiential learning programs, law schools, general counsel offices, and broader university administration. The conversation offers insight for legally trained professionals exploring ways to build student-facing careers on campus.