Welcome to Small College America!

Videos

May 5, 2026

Inside the Crisis Facing Small Colleges with Jon Marcus

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,…

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April 28, 2026

Inside the Provost’s Office: Leading Small Colleges Through Change

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…

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April 20, 2026

Inside Financial Aid: Strategy, Access, and the Future for Small Colleges

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…

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April 14, 2026

Cybersecurity, AI, and the Future of Small Colleges with Irv Bruckstein

Cybersecurity, AI, and the Future of Small Colleges with Irv Bruckstein

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 IT operations following a ransomware incident, modernized infrastructure, and led major…

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April 7, 2026

Rooted in Mission, Reaching the World: Rebecca Stoltzfus at Goshen College

Rooted in Mission, Reaching the World: Rebecca Stoltzfus at Goshen College

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 taught at the Johns…

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March 31, 2026

Dr. Michael Sorrell and The Reinvention of Paul Quinn College

Dr. Michael Sorrell and The Reinvention of Paul Quinn College

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 turnarounds—transforming Paul Quinn into a…

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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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