Higher education is in a state of rapid transformation—needing to respond in creative and innovative ways to the realities of a fast-changing labour market. At the vanguard of this transformation are Professional, Continuing & Online Education (PCO) units. EdUp PCO shines a light on this critical sector. Host Amrit Ahluwalia, a continuing education leader with experience inside and outside the academy, interviews leaders across the postsecondary space exploring how PCO Units can play a role in helping their respective colleges and universities stay agile, responsive and proactive.
81. Sheila LeBlanc (University of Calgary): How to Stay Strategic While Moving Fast
It’s YOUR time to #EdUpPCO
In this episode,
YOUR guest is Sheila LeBlanc, Associate Vice President for Continuing Education at the University of Calgary.
YOUR host is Amrit Ahluwalia (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrit-ahluwalia/).
Some key questions we tackle:
⚡ Why responsiveness is one of PCO’s most important strategic capabilities
🧭 How to maintain a clear long-term vision while adapting short-term priorities
🔗 The importance of finding opportunities to connect PCO goals to broader institutional strategy
🏆 Why small wins matter—and why leaders need to amplify them to build institutional momentum
💪 The role of prioritization and tenacity when change simply can’t happen all at once
Listen in to #EdUp!
Thank you for listening to the EdUp PCO podcast! Make sure to subscribe and follow, and don’t forget to leave a rating!
29 Sept 2026
80. Luke Dowden (Alamo Colleges): Making Change a Team Sport
It’s YOUR time to #EdUpPCO
In this episode,
YOUR guest is Luke Dowden (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukedowden/), Vice Chancellor for Digital Learning and Transformation at Alamo Colleges District.
YOUR host is Amrit Ahluwalia (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrit-ahluwalia/).
Some key ideas we tackle:
> Why bringing critics into the process can actually strengthen the work
> The importance of using data to build understanding and create shared urgency
> Why leaders can’t assume colleagues understand the learners or communities they serve
> How to keep making bets on innovation (even when financial constraints mean you have less room to fail)
> Why sustained change often depends less on a single breakthrough idea and more on the ability to keep people engaged over time
On September 25 I hosted a webinar (https://academica.corsizio.com/event/6a5a8cf96905bd52ffce7ffc)focused on how innovative colleges & polytechs are pursuing change while navigating strategic, operational and legislative barriers. The webinar panelists are Neil Fassina (President, Okanagan College) and Susan Cluett (VP-Academic, Fanshawe College).
To access the recording, click here: https://academica.corsizio.com/event/6a5a8cf96905bd52ffce7ffc (https://academica.corsizio.com/event/6a5a8cf96905bd52ffce7ffc)
Thank you for listening to the EdUp PCO podcast! Make sure to subscribe and follow, and don’t forget to leave a rating!
22 Sept 2026
79. Mary Butler (NBCC): Navigating Complexity to Drive Transformation
It’s YOUR time to #EdUpPCO
In this episode,
YOUR guest is Mary Butler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-butler-5979a637b/), President and CEO of New Brunswick Community College.
YOUR host is Amrit Ahluwalia (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrit-ahluwalia/).
Some key questions we tackle:
> How does clarity of vision feed institutional strategy, operations and culture?
> Why must innovation be treated as a core competency rather than an add-on?
> How should colleges understand and pursue their missions given the challenging circumstances of today’s postsecondary environment?
I will be hosting a webinar (https://academica.corsizio.com/event/6a5a8cf96905bd52ffce7ffc)on September 25 focused on how innovative colleges & polytechs are pursuing change while navigating strategic, operational and legislative barriers. The webinar panelists are Neil Fassina (President, Okanagan College) and Susan Cluett (VP-Academic, Fanshawe College). To register, click here: https://academica.corsizio.com/event/6a5a8cf96905bd52ffce7ffc (https://academica.corsizio.com/event/6a5a8cf96905bd52ffce7ffc)
Thank you for listening to the EdUp PCO podcast! Make sure to subscribe and follow, and don’t forget to leave a rating!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
35
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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