The Actualized Self

Dave Sherwhood shares his journey from Rhodes Scholar studying chemistry at Oxford to founding BibliU, an educational technology company tackling textbook affordability and streamlining content access for universities.

• Started as a B2C business before pivoting to B2B after realizing consumer businesses are incredibly difficult to build successfully
• Discovered that long sales cycles in education (averaging 6-12 mont...

The pathway to college completion remains filled with barriers that disproportionately impact first-generation students, adult learners, and historically underserved communities. But what if these obstacles aren't inherent to students themselves, but rather embedded in our educational systems?

Meacie Fairfax, Strategy Director at Complete College America, brings both personal experience and professional expertise to t...

What happens when college becomes financially out of reach for an entire generation? Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, pulls back the curtain on America's broken higher education system and why it matters to all of us.

McGuire shares her personal journey from high school activist to leading the nation's largest youth advocacy organization, revealing how her experiences as a first-generatio...

Higher ed is at a crossroads. Career services teams are no longer gatekeepers of opportunity—they’re becoming curators of the student-employer relationship. But how do institutions actually make that shift?

In this episode, I sit down with Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Chief Education Strategy Officer at Handshake, to unpack:
🎯 The biggest mindset shift career services teams must make (or risk falling behind)
📊 How AI & ...

What does it take to run a 900-student college in the heart of Silicon Valley—next door to Stanford, no less? 

Steven Weiner, President of Menlo College, joins me for a deep dive into leadership, strategy, and what makes Menlo stand out in a crowded higher ed ecosystem.

In this episode, we discuss:

    Why small colleges have a unique edge in today’s market.

    How Menlo leverages its Silicon Valley location for career ...

In this part II conversation with Michael Avaltroni, President of Fairleigh Dickinson University, we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities reshaping higher education. 

Michael shares:

• How FDU is carving out niche strengths in health sciences and healthcare-adjacent fields.
• Why partnerships with community colleges and healthcare systems are essential to solving enrollment and workforce challenges.
• His bold vision...

What does it take to lead one of America’s oldest institutions while keeping it future-focused?

In this second conversation, Bryon Grigsby, President of Moravian University, shares:

• How Moravian’s values of equity and access shape everything from tech policies to new program offerings.
• Why cohort-based learning is the future of higher education.
• How their UNESCO World Heritage designation opens up new opportunities for students and...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Jason Morrison, a veteran educator with more than 20 years of experience in higher education. Jason takes us through his remarkable journey from a classroom instructor to his current role as president of Trinity Valley Community College. With insights drawn from his leadership at Southern Arkansas University Tech, he sheds light on the common challenges faced by these institutions and how t...

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Smith, Principal and VP of Partner Success at Collegevine, to explore how AI is reshaping higher education. Emily shares:

• How AI agents are transforming admissions and student success.
• The concept of “Time to First Value” and why it matters.
• How AI can empower staff rather than replace them.

Whether you're an administrator, faculty member, or just curious about the future of educatio...

How do you lead a system with 7 campuses, serve students in urban and rural areas, and align higher ed with workforce needs—all while ensuring faculty and staff are thriving?

In this episode, Brendan Kelly, President of the Arkansas State University System, shares how he’s rethinking leadership in higher ed.

We discuss:

• Why alignment—between industry, state governments, and campuses—is the key to thriving in the 21st century.
• How A...

What makes a university truly unique? And how do you scale trust in a crowded higher ed market?

In this episode, I sit down with Nuno Fernandes, President of American Public University System (APUS), to uncover the secrets behind their success as the #1 educator of U.S. service members and veterans.

We dive into:

• The power of doubling down on your "core DNA."
• Why most universities struggle with differentiation—and what th...

In this episode, I sit down with Roger Best, President of the University of Central Missouri, to discuss the balancing act of modern higher ed leadership. From strategic decision-making to fostering innovation, Roger shares how he steers UCM through challenges like declining enrollments, evolving workforce demands, and integrating cutting-edge technologies.

We dive into:

• Transitioning from COO to President and mastering external ...

What does it take to transform a community college into a hub of opportunity and equity? 

Dr. Jermaine Williams, President of Montgomery College, joins me to discuss how he’s aligning systems, leveraging data, and addressing the real needs of students to drive regional transformation. 

From supporting students with food insecurity to creating systemic connections as early as middle school, Dr. Williams’s approach ...

Have you ever felt lost in your career path, unsure of where your true passion lies? Meet Brian, a Moravian University alumnus who transformed uncertainty into leadership. From switching between five majors to ultimately discovering his love for English, Brian's story is a testament to the power of mentorship and perseverance. As he shares his journey from student to president of Moravian University, Brian offers a candid look...

What if a career in the military could transition into academia? Join us as we explore this fascinating journey with our guest, a former US Army officer who now leads as a college president. This episode promises insights into how adaptability and leadership can forge new paths in personal and professional growth. We also tackle the pressures young men face today, such as the rapid pace of technological change that can lead to anxi...

What does it take to transform a career from academia into leadership? Find inspiration in the journey of our guest, a leader in higher education who transitioned from a faculty role at the University of Northern Colorado to the presidency at St. Cloud State. Discover their passion for teaching and research in aging and gerontology, which evolved into a leadership role aimed at enhancing the academic environment for faculty, studen...

What happens when a passionate prosecutor swaps the courtroom for the classroom? Join us as David shares his unexpected journey from corporate litigator to university president, driven by a love for coaching high school football. Discover how his legal and athletic experiences uniquely inform his approach to leadership in education, especially in the demanding role of managing a faith-based college. David's story is a testamen...

Join us as we sit down with the extraordinary Amber, an artist turned activist and academic leader, who has merged her passions to create the Justice Fleet—a groundbreaking mobile museum dedicated to social justice. Amber opens up about how her unique background in art and activism shaped her innovative teaching methods, ultimately leading to the birth of the Justice Fleet. This mobile museum addresses mental health and healing jus...