HigherEdJobs Podcast

Should you decline an exit interview? Christopher D. Lee, managing director with Storbeck Search, joins this Ask the Expert episode to explain why they matter and how to share honest, professional feedback without burning bridges.

Dianne Valdivia, associate vice provost of human resources, returns to talk about being honest with yourself on performance and fit, spotting blind spots, and talking with your supervisor about changes to your role.

 An author, leadership coach, and vice president of student life answers a listener question about using self-reflection and strategy to navigate career crossroads. She shares a three-question framework of the what, the why, and the how, and explains how checking your motives and weighing the costs can help you tell temporary frustration from a genuine need for change. Intentionality can help you move forward with confidence. 

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.