Insights From Leaders in Higher Education
COACHECast is a thought-provoking podcast from COACHE featuring provosts and other leaders from top institutions as they share personal insights, reflections and key learnings from their work.
Season 2 explores the perspectives of a diverse group of leaders and is hosted by Dr. Todd Benson, executive director and principal investigator at COACHE.
Season 1 features five engaging episodes focusing on leading through change, hosted by Dr. Pat Farrell (https://patrickfarrellconsulting.com/about-patrick-farrell-farrell-consulting/), former provost at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and Lehigh University.
A new episode will be released each month.
In conversation with Todd Benson, Executive Director at COACHE
In this special episode of COACHECast, Jeannie Kim, Assistant Director of Research at COACHE, steps in as guest host to interview Dr. Todd Benson, Executive Director and Principal Investigator at COACHE. The conversation centers on faculty retention and exit, exploring COACHE’s decade-long research in this area and delving into the insights such studies offer higher education institutions. "There are more career opportunities for these faculty members beyond the traditional tenure track posit...
29 May 2025
In conversation with Geoff Watson, CEO of NCFDD
Geoff Watson, CEO of NCFDD, discusses the importance of mentoring in higher education and how leaders can effectively support their faculty through strategic programs in this interview.
30 Mar 2025
In conversation with Dr. Holly Hutchins, University of North Texas
COACHECast speaks with Dr. Holly Hutchins, Vice Provost for Faculty Success, University of North Texas. Vice Provost Hutchins’ academic background is in human resource development where her focus has been on training transfer and faculty talent development. She is a proud UNT alumna and completed her Ph.D. in 2004. Before returning to UNT as Vice Provost, she was professor and department chair at the University of Houston. “You just make sure you're doing more than you're saying. So let...
30 Jan 2025
In conversation with Dr. Andrea Romero, University of Arizona
Dr. Andrea Romero is Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at the University of Arizona and has served in this role since 2019. Dr. Romero is also a faculty affiliate in psychology, Mexican American studies, gender and women’s studies, and Latin American studies. She serves as current president of the APLU’s Committee on Faculty Affairs. “It is about that narrative... how do we understand ourselves? What is our story, and what do we want to make that story be in the future?” Dr. Romero d...
22 Nov 2024
In conversation with Dr. Nancy Brickhouse, Baylor University
Dr. Nancy Brickhouse shares insights on institutional mission, faculty engagement, and community building at Baylor University, emphasizing the importance of trust and shared aspirations.
28 Oct 2024
In conversation with Dr. Mark Rieger, Provost at Florida Gulf Coast University
COACHECast speaks with Dr. Mark Rieger, who is currently on sabbatical from his position as Executive Vice President and Provost at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers, FL. Prior to joining FGCU, Dr. Rieger Dean and Director of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware, and held leadership positions at the University of Florida and the University of Georgia. “It would be great if people would stop calling folks non-tenure track. Nobody ...
29 Aug 2024
In conversation with Dawn Bratsch-Prince, Iowa State University
Dr. Dawn Bratsch-Prince is Associate Provost for Faculty at Iowa State University, which includes her oversight of the Office of Institution Research, the ISU Ombuds Office, and the ISU ADVANCE Program. She is also a founding member of the Committee on Faculty Affairs (CFA) at APLU. “We can hire fantastic representative faculty from all 50 states, from all demographics, but if we can't retain them then our efforts are pointless.” In a candid conversation, Dr. Bratsch-Prince provides...
25 Jun 2024
In conversation with Dr. Susan Carlson, University of California, Davis
Dr. Susan Carlson is Professor Emerita, University of California, Davis and Vice Provost Emerita, UC Office of the President, where she served in the role of Vice Provost from 2010 to 2022. Prior to joining UC, Dr. Carlson was Associate Provost for Faculty Advancement and Diversity for almost 10 years at Iowa State University.
“You’re changing culture in this work, and you’re often redefining academic priorities. There’s a lot of sensitivity when you raise issues of maybe everything’s not right.”
With more than 20 years in leadership positions, Susan shares how she was able to advance efforts to build diverse faculty at universities. She focuses on the importance of both policy and funding to ensure sustainable change, as well as how building a network has been valuable in contributing to her achievements.
Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
RELATED CONTENT
About University of California, Davis (https://www.ucdavis.edu/)
Office of the Provost (https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/provost/office)
The Art of Diversity: A Chronicle of Advancing the University of California Faculty through Efforts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 2010–2022 (https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1v45s9br)
Creating Transformative Spaces to Build Our Future Faculty (https://coache.gse.harvard.edu/sites/projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/gse-coache/files/coache_transformative_spaces_2023.pdf)
14 May 2024
In conversation with Lisa Sullivan, Provost and Dean of Faculty, Mount Holyoke College
Dr. Lisa Sullivan is Provost and Dean of Faculty, Mount Holyoke College, and has been in her role since July 2022. She previously served for six years as Vice President for Academic Affairs and the R. Michael Shanahan Dean of the Faculty at Harvard Mudd College, as well as a Professor of Economic History.
“The opportunity to hear those different voices, to make them visible in processes that have garnered trust...it’s a critical element for institutional improvement.”
Dr. Sullivan shares her experiences in helping to drive institution-wide changes that shape and support culture, as well as ensuring different voices are involved in the change process. She reflects on stepping into the role of provost when new to the institution, how to support a new generation of leaders in the face of changing demands, and more.
Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
About Dr. Lisa Sullivan (https://www.mtholyoke.edu/directory/faculty-staff/lisa-sullivan)
RELATED CONTENT
About Mount Holyoke College (https://www.mtholyoke.edu/)
Office of the Provost and Dean of Faculty (https://www.mtholyoke.edu/directory/departments-offices-centers/office-provost-and-dean-faculty)
Mount Holyoke College Strategic Plan Summary (https://offices.mtholyoke.edu/iplanning/strategic-plan-summary)
Planning for the Phoenix to be reborn (article) (https://www.mtholyoke.edu/news/news-stories/planning-phoenix-be-reborn)
14 May 2024
In conversation with Lisa Sullivan, Mount Holyoke College
Dr. Lisa Sullivan is Provost and Dean of Faculty, Mount Holyoke College, and has been in her role since July 2022. She previously served for six years as Vice President for Academic Affairs and the R. Michael Shanahan Dean of the Faculty at Harvard Mudd College, as well as a Professor of Economic History. “The opportunity to hear those different voices, to make them visible in processes that have garnered trust...it’s a critical element for institutional improvement.” Dr. Sullivan s...
18 Apr 2024
In conversation with Dr. Beau Breslin, Professor of Government at Skidmore College and former Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Beau Breslin is Professor of Government at Skidmore College, where he has spent most of career and held the position Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs between 2011-2018.
“You have to be a good listener. You have to be empathetic. These are the things that build credibility and build political capital.”
Dr. Breslin shares his perspectives from his time in the role as Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, including his thoughts about addressing resistance to change, being nimble, how nonacceptance of an idea can ultimately lead to better outcomes, and more.
Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
About Dr. Beau Breslin (https://www.skidmore.edu/political_science/faculty/breslin/index.php)
RELATED CONTENT
About Skidmore College (https://www.skidmore.edu/about/)
Office of the Dean of the Faculty/Vice President for Academic Affairs
(https://www.skidmore.edu/dof-vpaa/index.php)A Constitution for the Living: Imagining How Five Generations of Americans Would Rewrite the Nation’s Fundamental Law. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2021 (https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=21274#:~:text=%22Beau%20Breslin%20takes%20readers%20on,what%20might%20yet%20be%20today.%22)
18 Apr 2024
In conversation with Dr. Beau Breslin, Skidmore College
Dr. Beau Breslin is Professor of Government at Skidmore College, where he has spent most of career and held the position Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs between 2011-2018. “You have to be a good listener. You have to be empathetic. These are the things that build credibility and build political capital.” Dr. Breslin shares his perspectives from his time in the role as Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, including his thoughts about addressing ...
22 Mar 2024
In conversation with Dr. John Zomchick, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. John Zomchick is Provost at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the state’s flagship university. Dr. Zomchick came to the university in 1985. He has held the role of Provost since 2020, and previously served as Provost for Faculty Affairs, Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor.
"We have to make choices about where our resources go, but never miss an opportunity to say that, without the faculty, there is no university."
Dr. Zomchick shares a range of insights from his experience in leadership positions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville including a major change initiative that did not go as anticipated, his thoughts on finding common ground among divisions, and navigating challenges during times of increasing pressure and scrutiny.
Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
About Dr. John Zomchick (https://provost.utk.edu/about-the-provost/provost/)
RELATED CONTENT
About the University of Tennesse (https://provost.utk.edu/)
Office of the Provost (https://provost.utk.edu/)
21 Mar 2024
In conversation with Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, Georgia State University
Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard is the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Georgia State University. Appointed to this role in February 2023, she previously served as Interim Provost and Georgia State’s Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs.
“I've been a faculty member for decades and I really do believe in shared governance — it works best when we fully participate in it.”
Dr. Parsons-Pollard shares a range of insights from her time in the provost’s office and leadership positions at Georgia State, including how the institution used COACHE data to better understand faculty challenges, addressed concerns of workload and burnout exacerbated by the pandemic, expanding a proven mentoring program, and more.
Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
About Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard (https://provost.gsu.edu/meet-the-provost/)
RELATED CONTENT
About Georgia State University (https://www.gsu.edu/about/)
Georgia State University, Office of the Provost (https://provost.gsu.edu/)
Georgia State University and COACHE (https://provost.gsu.edu/coache/coache-2/)
Georgia State MILE Labs (https://mathstat.gsu.edu/mile/)
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