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, Washington, Josh oversees admissions, financial aid, and military and veterans outreach, helping students chart a path toward both education and purpose. 

With more than two decades of experience in enrollment strategy, leadership development, and brand building, Josh brings practical insight and a deep sense of mission to his work. He is a frequent speaker at national conferences, where he shares lessons on leadership, innovation, and student success. Beyond titles and roles, Josh sees himself as a guide—someone who believes curiosity, community, and faith have the power to transform lives. Josh was born and raised in Haines, Alaska. Population 1,700, and when he’s not working with students or cheering on his team at Whitworth, you’ll likely find him outdoors with his family.

Question 1: Josh, what led you to Whitworth University, and what stood out to you?  What do you think makes Whitworth distinctive among small, private liberal arts universities today? 

Question 2: Whitworth made national news with its decision to cut tuition nearly in half to make pricing more transparent. What drove that decision, and what has the impact been so far? How did you build consensus across campus for such a bold change? Have you seen measurable changes in applications or student perceptions of value?

Question 3: You’ve called the traditional high-price, high-discount model “a silly game.” Why do you think this pricing system persisted so long in higher ed, and what will it take for more colleges to follow Whitworth’s lead?
 

Question 4: Whitworth blends a strong Christian ethos with a liberal arts tradition. How do you stay true to that mission while navigating the competitive realities of enrollment and finance?
 

Question 5: You often speak about curiosity, community, and faith as transformative forces. How do those values shape your leadership style and Whitworth’s campus culture? What lessons about leadership have you learned from your own mentors?

Question 6: As you look to the next five years, what do you see as the biggest opportunities or challenges facing small and mid-sized private universities—and how is Whitworth preparing for them?
 
 Close: Josh, thank you for joining us today and getting the opportunity to learn more about you and Whitworth. For those listening, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Perspective Data Science, a firm specializing in AI-powered tools and data solutions, including the Financial Compass platform.

On behalf of our guest, Josh Hibbard, my co-host Kent Barnds, and myself, thank you for listening.”