Life in Higher Ed

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In the episode, Dr. Aisha Francis, President and CEO of the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, talks about access to education and workforce development, "one of the challenges we have is to push the limits of what it means to deliver access for all."
Aisha Franklin, PhD

In 2021, Aisha Francis, PhD, became the first female President in the 113-year history of Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, now known as Franklin Cummings Tech. Dr. Francis is an award-winning academic, nonprofit leader, and strategist with broad experience in organizational planning, philanthropy, board development, and corporate communications. She believes in the ability of effective organizations and well-supported individuals to transform underserved communities for the better, which is her life’s work. She enjoys implementing dynamic new programs at best-in-class organizations that improve access to and equity of educational and economic opportunities.
In her previous role as the college’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Francis expanded the institution's network of supporters through external and government relations and oversaw the establishment of a new stream of workforce development programming that has since generated millions of dollars in contracts. Before joining the college, she served as the Managing Director of Development for Harvard Medical School, raising scholarship funds for underrepresented medical school students as well as diversity and inclusion
programs. She previously spearheaded marketing and fundraising for Economic Mobility Pathways and held leadership positions at the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and Boston Medical Center.
Originally from Nashville, TN, she completed her undergraduate education at Fisk University, then earned a master's and doctorate in English Literature from Vanderbilt University.
Resources
Working to Learn: Disrupting the divide between college and career pathways for young people (2020) by Noel S. Anderson and Lisette Nieves
Journal of Career and Technical Education https://journalcte.org/articles
Sinking Like Quicksand: Expanding Education Opportunity for Young Men of Color (2009) by Noel S. Anderson and Colleen L. Larson

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In this episode, Sangeeta Lamba talks about inclusive leadership. "Equity minded means that you have to be mindful that each person's experience is very different. So you so if you can be intentional and equity-minded and be committed to almost every step, every decision you make, I think that's probably the way that the dial will move."
Sangeeta (Gita) Lamba, MD, MS-HPEd
Sangeeta Lamba is the Vice President for Faculty Development and Diversity within University Equity and Inclusion at Rutgers University. She leads the Faculty Diversity Collaborative, which integrates diversity and inclusion into the institutional pursuit of academic excellence, guiding the institutional investment in the retention and success of a diverse faculty. Dr. Lamba also serves as the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS). Her primary responsibility is to champion, lead, and implement a fully integrated strategy for diversity, inclusion, and health equity initiatives that nurtures a supportive and inclusive culture across RBHS. She leads and coordinates RBHS efforts to foster opportunities for diversity and inclusion with special emphasis on academic and faculty advancement.
Resources:
Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You (2020) by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss
The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations (2021) by Robert Livingston
Diversity's Promise for Higher Education: Making it Work (Third edition) by Daryl G. Smith

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In this episode, Brian Steeves, executive director of the board of regents and corporate secretary of the University of Minnesota, talks about leadership transitions, "We need to remember that every single person is a master of change. It's a constant in our lives all the time."
Brian Steeves, B.A., MPA
Brian Steeves serves as executive director of the board of regents and corporate secretary of the University of Minnesota. In this role, he leads annual board planning, guides agenda development, oversees policy work, serves as a key liaison between regents and the administration, and has mapped and coordinated highly successful presidential searches. Mr. Steeves previously served as deputy director in the office of the board of regents, and before that spent time leading a team of budget and policy analysts for the State of Minnesota and coordinating real estate redevelopment projects for the City of Minneapolis. Mr. Steeves also completed a rural policy fellowship at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., before earning a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He was awarded the prestigious Truman Scholarship and graduated summa cum laude from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Resources:
Managing Transitions (25th anniversary edition) Making the Most of Change (2017) by William Bridges and Susan Bridges
Appreciative inquiry and leadership transitions. Journal of Professional Nursing, 20(2), 103-109 (2004) by Keefe, M. R., & Pesut, D.
Leading with Intention (2018) by Jeanne Spiller and Karen Power.

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In this episode, Nana Kofi Nti and Mashama Thompson, co-founders of 510 Media, discuss the challenges facing colleges and universities in the attention economy. They note that institutions of higher education must work to distinguish themselves from the ubiquity of crowdsourced online learning.

Kofi Nti and Thompson challenge us to reflect critically on whether higher education is truly developing quality minds. They suggest that education is not a finite destination, but rather a continual process of growth and learning.
Nana Kofi Nti

Nana Kofi Nti is known for his commitment to Black Excellence in business, and dedication to Black Entrepreneurship in his local community and beyond. As co-founder of 510media, Nana is responsible for the strategic vision of the business. Under his leadership, 510media has grown from a photography studio to a brand strategy and management agency focused on finding creative solutions that move audiences to action. Honed over nearly 15 years, Nana has authored an unconventional approach to creativity anchored in human connection through deep listening, storytelling, and shared experiences. This approach has earned Nana and 510media a reputation for creating brands and stories that build connections and change the way clients show up to their audience. Active in his community, Nana Kofi Nti created and led free editorial photography courses for several years before handing the reins over to a group of hand-selected photographers that apprenticed directly with him. For the past four years through 510media HOPE, Nana has actively coached more than aspiring and existing Black entrepreneurs. A modern blueprint for nonprofits serving Black communities, HOPE draws on Black creativity, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit to address the dynamic challenges faced by aspiring business owners and leaders of color. “I want to see Oakland become a thriving hub of Black entrepreneurship.”
Mashama Thompson
Mashama is a co-founder and Creative Director at 510media, distinguished by nearly two decades of expertise in pioneering brand and creative strategies across various sectors, including health and technology. Over the past 17 years, he has led both creative and strategic teams in the physical and digital spaces, spanning lifestyle, education, entertainment, and technology industries. His work ethos strives for simplicity, elegance, and human-centered design that cuts through the noise, delivering messages that resonate deeply and drive meaningful engagement.

Beyond leading projects for significant entities like the San Francisco Public Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control, Mashama's commitment to education shines through in his development of the ‘PLAY Sessions’ course and his role as a panelist on the Adobe Design Awards, nurturing the next generation of brand and design leaders.

Resources
Kumar, M. J. (2024). The Imperative of Critical Thinking in Higher Education. IETE Technical Review, 41(5), 509–510
Burnett, D.G., Loh, A. & Schmidt, P. (2023). Powerful Forces Are Fracking Our Attention. We Can Fight Back. New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/24/opinion/attention-economy-education.html
Argyris, C. (1993). Knowledge for Action. A Guide to Overcoming Barriers to Organizational Change.

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In this first episode, Denise and Herminio explore the importance of having a friend in the workplace and how friends can make a difference in your professional and personal life.

Denise Nelson Nash, MFA, EdD
Denise is vice president, secretary of the Board of Trustees, convener of the IDEA Initiative, Scripps College. Denise joined Scripps College in 2013 as vice president and secretary of the board of trustees. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, she works directly with the president and board on a wide array of strategic initiatives, including the implementation of the college’s strategic plan, equity and justice initiatives, and effective board governance. Nelson Nash serves on AGB’s Council of Board Professionals and is the past chair of the Board Professionals Leadership Group. Her community service includes the board of Polytechnic School, ESL teacher and advocate, and past service as a member of the Pasadena Educational Foundation Advisory Committee and past president and board member of the Tournament of Roses Foundation. Nelson Nash earned her BA from Scripps College, MFA from the University of Michigan, and EdD from New York University.
Herminio L. Perez, DMD, MBA, EdD
Herminio is assistant dean of student affairs, Diversity & Inclusion, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Herminio Perez received his DMD degree from RSDM and his MBA in Healthcare Systems from the Silberman College of Business, Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Perez, who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, joined RSDM as an instructor in 2008. In addition to his academic and administrative responsibilities, he is a member of the Diversity Leadership Council at RBHS and co-chairs sections of the Antiracist Taskforce and the RBHS University-wide Diversity Strategic Planning Process.

Resources:
Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Episode Recommendations:Denise offers 10 steps to making friends on campus:

1. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Starting with those you will work most closely with, followed by those you share an affinity with, and followed by those who seem so unlike you – you may find surprises in this category.
2. Learn people’s names, how to pronounce them, and use them.
3. Ask questions – not of a personal probing nature – but work-related and if offered more personal information, such as family or hobbies, display interest.
4. Bring food, share food. Who doesn’t like to eat? I always ask if anyone wants anything when I make a Trader Joe’s run or I bring in snacks on just because days and always celebrate milestones.
5. Be positive. No one wants to be around negativity. You’ll attract more friends if you approach situations with honesty and find the silver linings – there is always at least one.
6. Eat lunch with or schedule coffee time with co-workers and not just those in comparable roles – go lateral, go deep.
7. Share information, that is not confidential, but information that would be helpful to others. In doing this, you’ll often find reciprocal gestures.
8. Attend work events – welcome receptions, farewell receptions, celebrations, etc. Work the room, greeting those you have met before and introducing yourself to unfamiliar faces.
9. Plan get-togethers outside of work, if appropriate.
10. Always be you – genuine and authentic.