Degrees of Impact

Hosted by New American Colleges & Universities

Education

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Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Degrees of Impact highlights the people and ideas driving innovation in higher education. Produced by the New American Colleges and Universities consortium, episodes provide practical insight by exploring higher ed’s challenges and opportunities as well as the industry's impact on local and global communities. [Formerly called Connect, Collaborate, Champion , Degrees of Impact brings you the same engaging conversations but with fewer syllables.]

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 20, 2026Episode 7126 min

Collaboration by Design: Lessons from York College

In this episode, Seán Creighton sits down with Tamara Sniad, Executive Director of the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation at York College of Pennsylvania, to explore what it takes to build a culture of collaboration across an institution. Tamara shares how intentional structures, relationships, and leadership practices can create stronger connections across campus and move ideas into action. She also offers practical advice for leaders seeking to foster collaboration, break down silos, and create environments where innovation and partnership can thrive.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

April 22, 2026Episode 7039 min

Climate Change and the Future of Higher Ed (Earth Day Revisit with Bryan Alexander)

Earlier this year, we sat down with Bryan Alexander to discuss his latest book, Peak Higher Ed, where he explores the forces shaping the future of colleges and universities. One of the most urgent among them: climate change. In honor of Earth Day, we’re revisiting a powerful earlier conversation about his book Universities on Fire, which takes a deeper look at how climate change is already impacting higher education and what institutions can do about it. Host: Sean Creighton.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

March 25, 2026Episode 6951 min

Higher Ed’s Inflection Point: Insights from Futurist Bryan Alexander

For more than a century, American higher education has operated on a simple premise: growth is good. More institutions, more students, more degrees -- all signals of progress. But what happens when that growth slows? In this episode, host Michelle Apuzzio is joined by futurist, researcher, and author Bryan Alexander to discuss his latest book, Peak Higher Ed. Together, they examine whether higher education has reached its high-water mark and what institutions must do to adapt in a fundamentally different era.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

February 25, 2026Episode 6840 min

The Mental Health Imperative: What Campus Leaders Need to Know Now

Student mental health has emerged as one of the defining leadership challenges in higher education. In this episode, Seán Creighton speaks with Sarah Doherty, Vice President of Collegiate Solutions at Alera Group, a national leader at the intersection of student wellness, health insurance, and institutional strategy. Drawing on her work with campuses across the country, Sarah offers insight into today’s evolving mental health landscape, including what has changed, where institutions face pressure, and where progress is emerging. The conversation examines barriers to care and highlights how campus leaders are strengthening coordination and connection to ensure students feel supported and able to thrive.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

January 28, 2026Episode 6731 min

Designing Professional Communities That Actually Matter

In this episode, we take a hard look at what real peer connection actually requires and why it’s so difficult to sustain. We're joined by Jackson Boyar, co-founder and CEO of RallyBoard, to explore a model that prioritizes intentional peer groups, shared responsibility, and human interaction over algorithm-driven noise. Together, we unpack what meaningful connection really looks like, how technology can help scale our efforts, and how leaders and participants should rethink engagement, value, and return on time. Hosted by Michelle Apuzzio.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

December 3, 2025Episode 6630 min

Educating for the Common Good: Liberal Arts, Applied Learning, and Civic Purpose

We sit down with William G. (Jerry) Berberet, the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Ernest L. Boyer Award and the founding executive director of what is now the New American Colleges & Universities. Jerry reflects on his decades in academia, the enduring moral vision of Ernest Boyer, the role of leadership and innovation, and his compelling, purpose-driven vision for higher education -- an imperative every bit as vital today as it was thirty years ago. Host: Sean CreightonThank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

November 19, 2025Episode 6526 min

Building on the Legacy of Florida’s Oldest Private College

Florida Southern College President Jeremy Martin reflects on his first year leading the state’s oldest private institution. He discusses accessibility, tradition, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, student needs, and the launch of FSC’s new School of Architecture. Host: Michelle ApuzzioThank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

October 29, 2025Episode 6421 min

From Burnout to Balance: How Positive Education is Changing Teacher Preparation

We talk with Kelly Smith, assistant professor of Education at Russell Sage College, about how Positive Education is transforming teacher preparation and classroom culture. Drawing from her years as a teacher and administrator, Kelly shares how these practices help educators foster well-being, both for their students and for themselves, and how Russell Sage became the first college to partner with the Center for Positive Education. Host: Michelle Apuzzio.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

September 24, 2025Episode 6330 min

Responsible AI in Higher Ed and Beyond

Artificial intelligence has long been part of our world, but the rapid rise of generative AI has brought new urgency to questions of how we use it and how we use it responsibly. In this episode of Degrees of Impact, host Michelle Apuzzio speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Allan, assistant professor and director of the Institute for Responsible Technology at Nazareth University. Together, they explore the Institute’s work, the ethical dilemmas that come with AI-driven innovation, and what it means for both universities and businesses striving to harness AI productively. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

August 20, 2025Episode 6235 min

Leading Through Change in Higher Education

In the season six premiere of the (renamed!) NACU podcast, Barry Dornfeld, principal at the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) unpacks why change in higher education is uniquely complex, the common missteps leaders make when driving transformation, and how institutions can emerge from disruption positioned for long-term success while staying true to their missions. Drawing on his background as an anthropologist and ethnographer, Barry shares practical strategies and powerful insights into the cultural dynamics that shape organizational change. Hosted by Michelle Apuzzio.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Degrees of Impact, where we explore innovative ideas and the people behind them in higher education. To learn more about NACU and our programs, visit nacu.edu.Connect with us on LinkedIn: NACUIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share it with your network.

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