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Videos

March 24, 2026

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

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

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 strengthen collaboration and support the…

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March 17, 2026

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

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…

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March 10, 2026

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

Wes Brooks, VP 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…

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March 3, 2026

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

John Gotanda, President of 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…

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Feb. 24, 2026

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

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…

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Feb. 15, 2026

Small College America - Dr.Elizabeth Rider, President of Elizabethtown College

Small College America - Dr.Elizabeth Rider, President of 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…

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Feb. 10, 2026

Small College America Robert Kelchen

Small College America Robert Kelchen

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. Kelchen is the author of Higher Education Accountability and regularly publishes in…

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Dec. 16, 2025

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

Small College America Jeff Selingo - Author and 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…

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Dec. 9, 2025

Small College America Webinar Navigating Higher Education's Existential Challenges

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,…

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Dec. 2, 2025

Small College America - Karen Petersen President, Hendrix College

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…

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Nov. 25, 2025

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

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.…

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Nov. 18, 2025

Small College America Kristen Soares - President of AICCU

Small College America Kristen Soares - President of AICCU

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…

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Nov. 11, 2025

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

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…

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Nov. 4, 2025

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

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…

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Oct. 28, 2025

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

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…

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Oct. 21, 2025

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

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…

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Oct. 14, 2025

Small College America Dr. Frank Shushok - President Roanoke College

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…

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Oct. 7, 2025

Small College America Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner - VP Academic Affairs La Roche University

Small College America Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner - VP Academic Affairs La Roche 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.” Today on Small College America, we’re joined by Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, who serves as Vice President for…

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Oct. 1, 2025

Small College America Dr. Dean McCurdy - President Colby Sawyer College

Small College America Dr. Dean McCurdy - President Colby Sawyer College

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: “Today, we are speaking with Dean McCurdy, president of Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire.…

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Sept. 23, 2025

Small College America Dr. Jeremiah Williams - Professor of Physics Wittenberg University

Small College America Dr. Jeremiah Williams - Professor of Physics Wittenberg University

Small College America interviews Dr. Jeremiah Williams, a Professor of Physics at Wittenberg University since 2007, where he teaches the full spectrum of undergraduate courses and leads an undergraduate-focused research program in plasma physics. He received a BS in Physics and Mathematics from Dickinson College, an MS in Physics from…

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Sept. 16, 2025

Small College America - Gary Daynes, Interim President of Salem Academy and College

Small College America - Gary Daynes, Interim President of Salem Academy and College

On this episode of Small College America, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Gary Daynes, Interim President of Salem Academy and College, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With a career devoted to leadership in small colleges, Gary has guided institutions through transformation and written extensively on higher education. Gary holds a…

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Sept. 2, 2025

How Small College Presidents Are Leading Through Uncertainty

How Small College Presidents Are Leading Through Uncertainty

Small colleges across America face an unprecedented convergence of challenges—demographic shifts, federal policy changes, evolving student expectations, and the lingering effects of COVID-19. In a recent Small College America webinar hosted by Dean Hoke and Kent Barnds, three presidents shared how they are navigating these pressures with fresh strategies and…

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June 1, 2025

Brian Pertel speaks with Small College America

Brian Pertel speaks with Small College America

Brian Pertl, Dean of Lawrence University Conservatory of Musi,c describes how the college prepares you to tackle the world.

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April 5, 2025

Small College America - Charles Kim, Trustee Augustana College and Westminster College, Missouri

Small College America - Charles Kim, Trustee Augustana College and Westminster College, Missouri

Today, we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing small colleges with Charles Kim, who’s been at the forefront of strategic financial advising in higher education. Charles Kim is a retired strategic and financial advisor who, for more than 30 years, advised leading healthcare systems, academic medical centers, and…

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