Welcome to Small College America!

Episodes

HigherEd PodCon Announces Finalists for Inaugural Higher Education Podcasting Awards
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 for the growing community of educators, administrators, students, and independent creators who are using audio storytelling to advance the mission of higher education. Organized by the co-founders of HigherEd PodCon, of which Dean Hoke of Small College America is a co-found...
Inside the Crisis Facing Small Colleges with Jon Marcus
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 co-host Dean Hoke, Co-Founder of Edu Alliance Group. Today, we’re joined by Jon Marcus, a senior higher education reporter at The Hechinger Report, whose recent reporting has helped bring national attention to a sobering reality: hundreds of small private colleges may be at r...
Inside the Provost’s Office: Leading Small Colleges Through Change
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 Barnds. Joining us today is Leamor Kahanov, who serves as Provost and Senior Vice President at Alvernia University, a private Franciscan institution in Reading, Pennsylvania. A scholar, administrator, and academic strategist with more than 25 years of experience as a provost, ...
Inside Financial Aid: Strategy, Access, and the Future for Small Colleges
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 Barnds, Executive Vice President of Augustana College . Kent: Joining us today is Maximo Flint-Morgan, MBA, who serves as Director of Financial Aid at Le Moyne College, a private Jesuit institution in Syracuse, New York, where he has led the financial aid office within the Div...
Cybersecurity, AI, and the Future of Small Colleges with Irv Bruckstein
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: Joining us today is Irving “Irv” Bruckstein, a transformational technology executive with more than three decades of experience across higher education, enterprise IT, and cybersecurity. He most recently served as Chief Information Officer at Washington College, where he rebuilt I...
Rooted in Mission, Reaching the World: Rebecca Stoltzfus at Goshen College
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 Dr. Rebecca J. (STOL – FUS), Stoltzfus, the 13th president of Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana. Rebecca became president in 2017 after serving as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Professor of Human Nutrition at Cornell University. Earlier in her career, she taugh...
Dr. Michael Sorrell and The Reinvention of Paul Quinn College
41
March 31, 2026

Dr. Michael Sorrell and The Reinvention of Paul Quinn College

Kent Barnds: Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in higher education. I'm Kent Barnds, and I’m joined by my co-host, Dean Hoke. Dean Hoke: Our guest today is Michael Sorrell , President of Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas, which has an enrollment of about 650 students. Michael is the longest-serving leader in the institution’s history. Since taking office in 2007, he has led one of higher education’s most remarkable turnaroun...
Faith, Mission, and the Future of Lutheran Higher Education with Rev Lamont Wells
40
March 24, 2026

Faith, Mission, and the Future of Lutheran Higher Education with Rev Lamont Wells

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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds . Kent: Our guest today is Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, Executive Director of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities, an association representing 28 institutions connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In this role, he works with presidents and campus leaders across the network to ...
Inside the Presidential Search Process: Jay Lemons President of Academic Search
39
March 17, 2026

Inside the Presidential Search Process: Jay Lemons President of Academic Search

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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds . Kent: Joining us today is Dr. L. Jay Lemons, President of Academic Search since 2017, following 25 years as a college president in both public and private higher education. He previously served as President of Susquehanna University and as Chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, le...
Wes Brooks, Vice President for Student Life at Augustana College — Inside the Work of Student Life Leaders
38
March 10, 2026

Wes Brooks, Vice President for Student Life at Augustana College — Inside the Work of Student Life Leaders

Dean Hoke: “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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds. Kent: We have joining us today, Dr. Wes Brooks, who serves as Vice President and Dean of Student Life at Augustana College, where he leads a wide portfolio supporting student success, including residential life, athletics, counseling services, public safety, and campus engagement. Known for...
John Gotanda, President Hawaii Pacific University Leading a Global, Military-Connected University
37
March 3, 2026

John Gotanda, President Hawaii Pacific University Leading a Global, Military-Connected University

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 . John Gotanda is President of Hawaii Pacific University, the largest private university in Hawai'i, where he leads efforts to strengthen HPU's global identity, expand international partnerships, and advance student success across its diverse, multicultural community. Born and raised in Hawai'i, John br...
Why Small Colleges Struggle with Enrollment — and How to Fix It (with Carnegie’s Eric Page)
36
Feb. 24, 2026

Why Small Colleges Struggle with Enrollment — and How to Fix It (with Carnegie’s Eric Page)

Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in higher education. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds. Eric Page is Chief Client Officer at Carnegie—Higher Ed Marketing & Enrollment, where he leads strategy and solutions that help colleges and universities navigate complex enrollment, marketing, and institutional challenges. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education communications, enrollment strategy...
Small College America Elizabeth Rider - President Elizabethtown College
35
Feb. 17, 2026

Small College America Elizabeth Rider - President Elizabethtown College

Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in higher education. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds. Kent Barnds: Our guest today is Elizabeth A. Rider, President of Elizabethtown College. Elizabeth brings more than 30 years of dedicated service to Elizabethtown, having served as faculty member, Provost, and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs before becoming president in 2022. Since becoming President, she ...
Small College America Robert Kelchen
34
Feb. 10, 2026

Small College America Robert Kelchen

Dean Hoke: 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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds. Kent Barnds: Robert Kelchen is a professor of higher education and head of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research interests include higher education finance, accountability policies, and student financial aid. Kelch...
Small College America Jeff Selingo - Podcast Co-Host Future U
33
Dec. 16, 2025

Small College America Jeff Selingo - Podcast Co-Host Future U

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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds. Kent Barnds: Joining us today is Jeff Selingo who has written about colleges and universities for more than 25 years and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books. His latest, New York Tines Best Seller Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You , draws on more than two years of ...
Small College America Webinar Navigating Higher Education's Existential Challenges
32
Dec. 9, 2025

Small College America Webinar Navigating Higher Education's Existential Challenges

Welcome everyone to this special edition of Small College America. On December 3rd we held a live webinar titled “Navigating Higher Education’s Existential Challenges: From Partnerships and Mergers to Reinvention,” brings together four seasoned leaders deeply involved in higher education strategy, governance, law, and finance. The issues of partnerships, mergers, closures and institutional reinvention are no longer abstract concepts, they’re real challenges shaping daily decision-making. To help...
Small College America Karen Petersen - President Hendrix College
31
Dec. 2, 2025

Small College America Karen Petersen - President Hendrix College

Joining us today Dr. Karen Petersen is the 13th President of Hendrix College, taking office on June 1, 2023. A native of northwest Arkansas, she joined the Hendrix community from the University of Tulsa, where she served as Dean of the Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences and was a professor of political science. Before her time in Tulsa, Karen spent 16 years at her undergraduate alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, rising through progressively senior leadership roles and ultimat...
Small College America Raj Bellani - Vice President & Chief of Staff Denison University
30
Nov. 25, 2025

Small College America Raj Bellani - Vice President & Chief of Staff Denison University

Today's guest is Dr. Raj Bellani, Vice President of External Affairs, Career Outcomes, and Chief of Staff at Denison University in Ohio. At Denison, Raj plays a key role in advancing the university’s strategic plan—strengthening its global engagement, enhancing faculty and staff mentoring, and promoting innovation and wellness across campus. Before arriving in Granville, Raj served as Dean of Experiential Learning and Career Planning at DePauw University’s Hubbard Center for Student Engagement, ...
Small College America Kristen Soares - President of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
29
Nov. 18, 2025

Small College America Kristen Soares - President of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities

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 Hoke: Kristen Soares is the fourth president of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), representing more than 85 nonprofit institutions dedicated to the public good. As president, she works with leaders across the state to shape higher education p...
Small College America Dr. Michael Scarlett - Professor of Education Augustana College
28
Nov. 11, 2025

Small College America Dr. Michael Scarlett - Professor of Education Augustana College

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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds . Today, we’re joined by Michael H. Scarlett, Professor of Education at Augustana College. Michael supervises student teachers and teaches educational psychology and assessment, social studies methods, and educational technology. Before coming to Augustana, he spent four years on the faculty at Montana ...
Small College America Dr. Teresa Parrot - Principal of TVP Communications
27
Nov. 4, 2025

Small College America Dr. Teresa Parrot - Principal of TVP Communications

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: Our guest today is Dr. Teresa Valerio Parrot, APR, the Principal of TVP Communications. She is co-host of the Trusted Voices Podcast and co-editor of Call to Action for Inside Higher Ed , has numerous media bylines, and is a frequent keynote speaker. She is writing a book on higher-education gove...
Small College America Dr. Josh Hibbard - Vice President Whitworth University
26
Oct. 28, 2025

Small College America Dr. Josh Hibbard - Vice President Whitworth University

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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds . Today, we are speaking with Dr. Josh Hibbard, a higher education leader, strategist, and storyteller passionate about helping students and families navigate one of life’s biggest decisions: choosing a college. As Vice President for Enrollment Management at Whitworth University, located in Spokane, Was...
Small College America Jonathan Nichols   - Author of Requiem for a College
25
Oct. 21, 2025

Small College America Jonathan Nichols - Author of Requiem for a College

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, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds . Today, we are speaking with Jon Nichols, an author and educator whose work explores the intersection of personal narrative and institutional collapse in American higher education. He is the author of Requiem for a College: The Troubling Trend of College Closures in the United States , a deeply reflect...
Small College America Dr. Frank Shushok - President Roanoke College
24
Oct. 14, 2025

Small College America Dr. Frank Shushok - President Roanoke College

Today, we are speaking with Dr. Frank Shushok Jr., the 12th president of Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, since 2022. He collaborates with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and regional partners to position the College as an agile, innovative, and learner-centered institution. Under his leadership, the College launched Imagine Roanoke, a strategic plan that includes creating four transdisciplinary schools and transforming the residential campus into a 21st-century lear...