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Building a Caring University: Rethinking Employee Well-Being in Higher Ed

Building a Caring University: Rethinking Employee Well-Being in Higher Ed

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 In Season 14, Episode 6 of Student Affairs Voices from the Field, host Dr. Jill Creighton sits down with Dr. Kevin McClure, author of The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace After the Great Resignation. This candid conversation is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of higher education or passionate about changing workplace culture for the better. From the outset, Dr. McClure grounds his message in lived experience, sharing his journey from student affairs professional to department chair and faculty member. What becomes clear is that his new book—and this episode—are rooted in genuine care: for staff, for faculty, and for the systems in which they work. He makes a compelling case that prioritizing employee well-being in higher ed needs to be a fundamental goal, not just a means to an end for better student outcomes The conversation dives deep into the idea of "organizational care," contrasting it with the often isolating American emphasis on self-care. Dr. McClure introduces the lens of "squad care," asking listeners to reconsider how institutions themselves can become communities that collectively support employee thriving. He shares that although there are pockets of progress, the true "caring university" is still aspirational—requiring leaders to combine data, strategy, and a willingness to take bold action. A concept that resonates throughout the episode is the critique of "ideal worker norms." Dr. McClure unpacks how outdated expectations, rooted in gendered and ableist assumptions, persist in our workplaces—often dictating who succeeds and who gets left behind. He calls for challenging these norms and embracing more flexible, human-centered models of work. Listeners will come away with practical insights. The six pillars of the caring university—ranging from humanizing policies and prioritizing employee experience, to cultivating caring leaders—offer a tangible framework anyone can begin to explore. Dr. McClure emphasizes that meaningful change isn't about grand gestures; it's about taking swings, trying new things, and considering employee well-being as foundational to institutional success. For new professionals eager for a bright future in student affairs, and for seasoned leaders seeking actionable ideas, this episode is rich with hope, clarity, and direction. Tune in to hear why caring for "the people who show up for people" should be the next big priority in higher ed—and how we can collaboratively shape more humane, equitable workplaces. Ready to reimagine what's possible in higher education? Start by listening to the full conversation today! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:01]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts. Brought to you by NASPA, we curate free and accessible professional development for higher education professionals wherever you happen to be. This is Season 14, continuing our conversation on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton, she/her/hers, your SA Voices from the Field host. Kevin, welcome to SA Voices. Dr. Kevin McClure [00:00:28]: Hello, I'm so excited to be here. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:30]: You are another one of our conversations that we get to capture live and in person for SA Voices here at 2026 Annual Conference in Kansas City. So I know listeners, by the time you're hearing this, you're like, well, Annual was a while ago. We know, but we're glad to bring you these conversations. And so you, if you weren't able to be here, you get to be a part of it. And if you were able to be here, I know how ephemeral those spaces can be, and hopefully you can kind of revisit some of the information in Kevin's keynote speech. So Kevin, you have just spent an hour on stage, going through your new book, which is called The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace After the Great Resignation. You also did a book signing, so thank you for spending time with the members. Dr. Kevin McClure [00:01:09]: Yeah. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:09]: So we also know that you've been talking a lot, and we appreciate you spending one more hour with us. Dr. Kevin McClure [00:01:13]: Sure, absolutely. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:14]: We always like to start by asking our guests, how did you get to your current seat? You're both a department chair and a professor. Dr. Kevin McClure [00:01:20]: That's right. Yes, but I started in student affairs as a staff member, so origin story in housing, and then I transitioned into a living-learning program at the University of Maryland called Global Communities, and that was the best job I've ever had. So I peaked a little too early. That was my first professional job, and I absolutely loved it, loved every minute of it, and got to work really closely with students and do all sorts of cool programming with them. And as time went on, Maryland really wanted all ...
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