Small College America
Small College America is a podcast series that shines a spotlight on the powerful impact of small colleges across the nation. Hosted by Dean Hoke and Kent Barnds, the podcast brings listeners inside the world of small colleges through candid conversations with higher education leaders, policy experts, and innovators. Each episode explores how these institutions are adapting, thriving, and continuing to deliver a personal, high-quality education.
Alongside the podcast, Dean Hoke’s written profiles dive even deeper, telling the stories of individual colleges, their traditions, their challenges, and their lasting contributions to their communities and beyond.
Recent Episodes
47
May 18, 2026
HigherEd PodCon Announces Finalists for Inaugural Higher Education Podcasting Awards
HigherEd PodCon today announced the finalists for its inaugural HigherEd PodCon Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement across five categories in higher education podcasting. The announcement marks a significant milestone...
46
May 5, 2026
Inside the Crisis Facing Small Colleges with Jon Marcus
Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President of Augustana College, and I’m joined by my c...
45
April 28, 2026
Inside the Provost’s Office: Leading Small Colleges Through Change
Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I’m Dean Hoke, Co-Founder of Edu Alliance Group, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Ba...
44
April 21, 2026
Inside Financial Aid: Strategy, Access, and the Future for Small Colleges
Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Dean Hoke, Co-Founder of Edu Alliance Group, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Ba...
43
April 14, 2026
Cybersecurity, AI, and the Future of Small Colleges with Irv Bruckstein
Kent Barnds: “Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I’m Kent Barnds, and I’m joined by my co-host, Dean Hoke. ” Dean: Joinin...
42
April 7, 2026
Rooted in Mission, Reaching the World: Rebecca Stoltzfus at Goshen College
Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in higher education. I’m Kent Barnds, at Augustana College, and I’m joined by my co-host, Dean Hoke. Our guest today is D...
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Recent Blog Posts
May 10, 2025
Small College America – Profile: Davidson College
April 21, 2025, by Dean Hoke: With this profile of Davidson College, I complete the tenth and final entry in my series exploring small colleges across the United States. This journey has deepened my appreciation for the distinct contributions …
May 10, 2025
Small College America – Profile: Tuskegee University
April 14, 2025, by Dean Hoke: This profile of Tuskegee University is the ninth in a series presenting small colleges throughout the United States.BackgroundFounded in 1881 by educator Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee University is a private h…
May 8, 2025
Small College America – Profile: Washington and Lee University
April 7, 2025, by Dean Hoke: This profile of Washington and Lee University is the eighth in a series presenting small colleges throughout the United States.BackgroundFounded in 1749, Washington and Lee University (W&L) is a private libe…
Reviews
Excellent podcast with timely insights
I've worked in US international higher education for 15+ years, including work with all types of higher ed institutions. Small College America does a great job of capturing timely topics and insights into the landscape of US higher ed, which I find beneficial for institutions of all types and sizes. Great work!
- Adam Copeland
- May 8, 2025
Learnings from Effective Presidents in Small Colleges
I have watched several of the Small College America podcasts and what I like most of all are the insights and challenges that I see that presidents and provosts face (and other administrator types as well) during these very challenging times in higher education. So, the learning that I gain from simply listening to these high-level administrators is very interesting, and often inspirational! I am a learner, and so these are right down my alley. I should mention that I have great respect for sma
- David Nickel
- May 3, 2025
Excellent Higher Ed Podcast
A terrific podcast created for a broad audience interested in higher education, smaller colleges, and the impact that colleges have on students and communities. Dean Hoke, who is well versed in colleges and the broader market dynamics of higher ed, interviews college leaders, including presidents, provosts, athletic directors and others from a variety of small colleges. A great introduction for anyone interested in the future of higher education. You’ll learn about the most importance issues an
- D-Mcc
- April 29, 2025
Hearing the All Voices in Education
I was pleased and honored to be involved in Small College America, a podcast series that shines a vital spotlight on the powerful role of small colleges across the nation. Hosted by Dean Hoke and Kent Barnds, the series provides a rare and much-needed platform for elevating the voices of institutions where so many students are educated and communities are strengthened.Through candid conversations with higher education leaders, policy experts, and innovators, Small College America captures ho
- Paaige K. Turner, Ph.D.
- April 28, 2025
Outstanding, informative, and inspirational!
Kudos to Dean and Kent at "Small College America" for shining light on the important work and impact of our small colleges and universities in this country. I gain tremendous insights, and a new dose of inspiration, each time I listen. While so much attention goes to the larger, bigger named colleges and universities, the small colleges and universities in this country are making a big impact on society. Well done, Small College America!
- Marco Clark
- May 1, 2025
Small College America
The Small College America series by Dean Hoke is both thought provoking and timely. The headlines today blare the message of “College crisis in America”. Both political parties try placing blame upon the other. The truth is that there is plenty of blame to go around, and not just with politicians. Academics bear a legitimate part of blame as well. Then there is the simple, but always present, supply and demand issue. Birth rates have been declining for decades. That eventually impacts the number
- Tom Davisson
- April 26, 2025
Useful, Concrete Details
What makes this series distinctive are all the concrete and useful details and perspectives of flourishing a small college, shared by mission-dedicated professionals.
- Shah Hasan
- April 25, 2025
Very informative
Having listened to the podcast series -- and also having had the pleasure of being a participant-- I wish to compliment the organizers and to encourage all with interests in higher ed to take a listen. The small colleges of America are particularly important to the overall higher ed ecosystem
- Chet Haskell
- April 24, 2025
Small College America makes a LARGE impact!
In these uncertain times for American higher education, it is encouraging and inspiring to hear the stories from the Small Colleges that make such a difference in the lives of students and the communities they serve. Please share with your colleagues and friends what you've seen and heard from this series, and urge them to become part of the conversation!
- Dr. Barry Ryan
- April 24, 2025
Small College America is a must listen series
If you work or have attended a small college. Then this series is for you. Great guests discussing why small schools are important to the US higher education system.
- Nancy Baer
- April 24, 2025
Very Important Podcast
I’d recommend all board members and administrators involved with small colleges to regularly listen to this podcast. The challenges are many right now and this podcast will provide valuable insights.
- Charles Kim
- April 24, 2025