HigherEdJobs Podcast

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR leader Kathleen Hermacinski returns to tackle a question many professionals hesitate to ask out loud: Who supports HR when HR supports everyone else? She talks through how her team uses daily “tailgates” to check in, think through tough situations, and build a stronger department culture. Kathleen also shares how to lean on peers across campus, what to keep in mind legally when talking through sensitive issues, and why outside networks can be a lifeline for HR professionals at small or mid-size institutions. The conversation digs into the difference between venting and real strategy, and how leaders can set the tone by showing that it’s okay to seek help.

This Veterans Day episode revisits conversations from the HigherEdJobs Podcast archive to explore how veterans continue their service within higher education. Through clips featuring student affairs leaders, HR professionals, faculty, and campus advocates, the episode highlights the lived experiences of veterans working and studying in higher ed, and the ways institutions can support their growth. Listeners will hear about creating strong peer networks, navigating the transition from military roles into campus leadership, building veteran-to-career pathways, and recognizing the value that military-connected professionals bring to academic communities. The episodes highlight ways institutions can translate appreciation into resources, relationships, and long-term investment, ensuring that veterans are supported not just in transition, but throughout their work and learning in higher education.Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve in our campus communities and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Jeni Hart, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate studies at the University of Missouri, reflects on what it really means to be a scholar. She discusses how early experiences in her career shaped her understanding of credibility in academic spaces and how assumptions about institutional prestige can influence whose work is taken seriously. Dr. Hart encourages a wider view of scholarship that recognizes collaboration, teaching, mentorship, professional practice, and lived experience alongside traditional research. She also shares practical ways faculty, student affairs professionals, and graduate students can acknowledge their own contributions and support others in doing the same.

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Moore, dean of students at Naropa University, joins the conversation in celebration of Careers in Student Affairs Month. Drawing from nearly two decades in higher education, Dr. Moore discusses how student affairs professionals are adapting to serve post-traditional learners, balance rising care team demands, and use technology like chatbots to build connection at scale. He shares how curiosity, compassion, and innovation help sustain both staff and students -- and why creating meaningful community remains at the core of student affairs work.

In this Ask the Expert episode, a listener asks how to navigate a job search when a hiring process is suddenly paused. HR expert and longtime HigherEdJobs contributor Christopher Lee returns to explain why searches can stall, what that means for candidates, and when it makes sense to reapply. He shares several ways to follow up respectfully, keep perspective, and stay confident through the ups and downs of the search process.

In this episode, longtime HigherEdJobs contributor Justin Zackal’s article, “The One Question That Higher Ed Interviewers Love to Hear,” sparks a conversation between co-hosts Andy Hibel and Kelly Cherwin. Together, they explore why the questions candidates ask at the end of an interview can be just as impactful as their answers, offering insight on how thoughtful questioning helps reveal institutional culture, assess fit, and create a genuine, two-way dialogue.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Chris Lee returns to answer a listener’s question about managing interview anxiety and improving performance. Drawing on his experience training over 1,000 HR professionals, Chris explains why feeling nervous is completely normal, and even a sign that you care about the opportunity. He shares practical strategies for preparation, mental rehearsal, and emotional control, emphasizing that authenticity often makes a stronger impression than perfection. As Chris reminds listeners, committees don’t hire the person who interviews best -- they hire the person best prepared to meet the needs of the position.

In this continuation, executive search expert Gail Freeman shares the interview lessons you don’t often hear. She explains why professionalism still matters on Zoom, how a timely thank-you note can influence decisions, and what separates “star” candidates from the rest. Freeman also reflects on resilience in the face of rejection and why clarity and focus bring more meaning to a job search. Her perspective offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how recruiters think -- and how small, genuine choices can shape big outcomes.

In this Ask the Expert episode, HR expert Kathleen Hermacinski returns to weigh in on a listener’s question: how do hiring managers view the “Open to Work” label on LinkedIn? She explains when the tag can make you more visible to recruiters, when it might spark awkward conversations, and how generational perspectives shape how it’s perceived. Kathleen also shares examples of candidates who’ve used the label successfully, tips for job seekers just entering the workforce, and why context and communication matter when signaling you’re ready for new opportunities.

In this episode, Paige Swanstein, co-founder of the Student Basic Needs Coalition, shares how her own struggles with food and housing insecurity in college grew into a national movement. She explains how SBNC empowers students, partners with campuses, and tackles stigma while connecting thousands to vital resources. Paige’s story highlights why meeting students’ basic needs is essential to their success in higher education.