From Understanding Neurodivergence to Leading with Insight, An Episode Trailer

Leadership Philosophy and Informed Decision-Making in Higher Education

In this trailer to our new episode on The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, we explore the intersection of leadership, inclusion, and informed decision-making within higher education. Building on our previous conversation with Dr. Craig Wells — where we unpacked self-discovery and communication in neurodivergent experiences — this episode shifts the lens to institutional systems.

Join us as we examine how leadership philosophy influences access, belonging, and the success of neurodivergent students, faculty, and staff. What does it really mean to lead with inclusion in mind? How can informed decisions drive real change on campus? And why must leadership be collaborative, reflective, and grounded in values?

This thoughtful conversation is ideal for educators, administrators, advocates, and anyone interested in reshaping higher education through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• Leadership as a shared responsibility
• The role of values in institutional decision-making
• Creating inclusive learning environments
• Supporting neurodivergent students in systems not built for them
• Moving from awareness to structural change

New episode drops on Monday, August 4, 2025!

🎧 Listen to reimagine what leadership can look like when inclusion leads the way.

Don't miss this episode, follow or subscribe now on your favourite podcast platforms.

Episode Transcript

Paul Cruz (00:07):
Last time on the Neurodiversity Voices podcast,
we sat down with Doctor. CraigWells to unpack the complexities
of neurodivergence, from thepower of self discovery to how
parenting shapes neurodivergentidentity. That conversation laid
the foundation for somethingbigger. What happens when those

(00:28):
understandings of identity andcommunication enter
institutions, especially inhigher education? In the next
episode of the NeurodiversityVoices podcast, we will explore
leadership philosophy andinformed decision making in

(00:49):
higher education.
We'll explore how college anduniversity leaders shape
inclusive environments and howvalues, collaboration, and
clarity in decisions impactstudents and faculty alike.

Guest Speaker (01:02):
One thing I learned from working with
counselors and government fundedagencies for youth transition
groups that go into adulthood isthe idea of an informed
decision. And that I think thisworks quite well. In terms of
leadership, then we havedecisions to make. And it's like
the word problem we discussedearlier. It's like, okay, that's
the problem to be solved.
The question to be answered.There's information and

(01:24):
resources used to answer thosequestions to solve a problem.
And then the rules, skills, soforth to make the information
work to solve the problem. So interms of relationally speaking,
and in terms of leadership,there are goals to be
accomplished, but then how do wecome to an informed decision
about how we can allocate ourresources and ourselves time and
effort to accomplish those goalstogether? And the key here, the

(01:48):
secret sauce I think would be todo this together.
So sometimes it's pushing,sometimes it's pulling, but
we're in it together.

Paul Cruz (01:54):
Don't miss this conversation. Hit follow or
subscribe now and join us as wereimagine leadership through a
neurodiversity affirming lens.