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Dr. Ian F. McNeely reveals how his book "The University Unfettered" provides a dispassionate, evidence-based examination of how public universities operate, challenging both progressive and conservative narratives about higher education's supposed decline.

• Universities effectively adapt to reduced state funding through competition while maintaining their public mission
• Competition between institutions drives quality and focuses universities on core missions of teaching and research
• Administrative growth primarily supports student success initiatives rather than unnecessary bureaucracy
• Strategic thinking trumps rigid strategic planning in helping universities respond to changing circumstances
• The shift toward applied knowledge and "new instrumentalism" connects theoretical learning to practical applications
• University curriculums are evolving to bridge classroom learning to career preparation through internships and experiential learning
• Political interventions in university operations often backfire, regardless of intentions
• Public universities educate millions of students and conduct more than half the nation's research, yet receive less attention than elite private schools

For higher education leaders navigating today's challenges, focus on three principles: live in truth, do the work, and serve the mission.

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Western Technical College president Roger Stanford shares with host Joe Gottlieb how moving to a seven-week term structure transformed student completion rates and revitalized curriculum through comprehensive instructional design.

• Complete curriculum redesign of over 1,000 courses
• Creation of an empowered steering committee to manage implementation
• Three-year timeline allowing faculty breathing room during pandemic
• Centralized change management reporting directly to the president
• Dedication to maintaining "unconditional positive regard" throughout the process
• Immediate improvements in second-term retention rates
• Faculty discovering reduced cognitive load benefits of teaching fewer courses simultaneously
• Commitment to embedding universal design and culturally relevant curriculum
• Program reviews resulting in more streamlined, focused degree pathways
• Balancing academic freedom with instructional design expertise

"While we expected some faculty resistance or departures, the majority embraced the change and are now prouder than ever of their curriculum and assessment alignment." Listen in for the full story,

References:

Dr. Roger Stanford

Western Technical College

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Dr. Emily Messer, President of Texas Wesleyan University, sits down with host Joe Gottlieb to explore how collaborative leadership and modern strategies are shaping the future of higher education. Dr. Messer shares her journey as a first-generation college graduate turned university president, and how she is guiding Texas Wesleyan through a pivotal moment of cultural renewal, strategic planning, and community and employer engagement.

Listeners will gain insight into how institutions can move beyond a “COVID hangover” by rebuilding trust, explicitly defining core values, and leveraging technology and workforce partnerships to ensure strong student outcomes. From inclusive planning sessions to innovative student success initiatives supported by Title III funding, Dr. Messer highlights how thoughtful decision-making and modern tools are preparing students, and the university, for long-term success in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.

Warm, candid, and forward-looking, this conversation offers inspiration for higher ed leaders navigating change and reimagining how culture, strategy, and technology can align to create real transformation.

References:

Emily Messer, Ed.D.

Texas Wesleyan University

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