Degrees of Impact highlights the people and ideas driving innovation in higher education. Produced by the New American Colleges and Universities consortium, episodes provide practical insight by exploring higher ed’s challenges and opportunities as well as the industry’s impact on local and global communities. [Formerly called Connect, Collaborate, Champion, Degrees of Impact brings you the same engaging conversations but with fewer syllables.]
NACU gratefully acknowledges the support of the Alera Group, the exclusive sponsor of Degrees of Impact. Their partnership helps us bring important conversations about innovation, leadership, and collaboration in higher education to our community.
Have an idea for a podcast guest? If you’re on a NACU campus, please email Michelle Apuzzio at mapuzzio@nacu.edu. If you’re external to NACU, please email Seán Creighton at screighton@nacu.edu.
Educating for the Common Good: Liberal Arts, Applied Learning, and Civic Purpose (Dec. 3, 2025)
We sit down with William G. (Jerry) Berberet, the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Ernest L. Boyer Award and the founding executive director of what is now the New American Colleges & Universities. Jerry reflects on his decades in academia, the enduring moral vision of Ernest Boyer, the role of leadership and innovation, and his compelling, purpose-driven vision for higher education — an imperative every bit as vital today as it was thirty years ago. Hosted by Seán Creighton.
Building on the Legacy of Florida’s Oldest Private College (Nov. 19, 2025)
Florida Southern College President Jeremy Martin reflects on his first year leading the state’s oldest private institution. He discusses accessibility, tradition, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, student needs, and the launch of FSC’s new School of Architecture. Hosted by Michelle Apuzzio.
From Burnout to Balance: How Positive Education is Changing Teacher Preparation (Oct. 29, 2025)
We talk with Kelly Smith, assistant professor of Education at Russell Sage College, about how Positive Education is transforming teacher preparation and classroom culture. Drawing from her years as a teacher and administrator, Kelly shares how these practices help educators foster well-being, both for their students and for themselves, and how Russell Sage became the first college to partner with the Center for Positive Education. Hosted by Michelle Apuzzio.
Responsible AI in Higher Ed and Beyond (Sept. 24, 2025)
Artificial intelligence has long been part of our world, but the rapid rise of generative AI has brought new urgency to questions of how we use it and how we use it responsibly. In this episode of Degrees of Impact, host Michelle Apuzzio speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Allan, assistant professor and director of the Institute for Responsible Technology at Nazareth University. Together, they explore the Institute’s work, the ethical dilemmas that come with AI-driven innovation, and what it means for both universities and businesses striving to harness AI productively.
Leading Through Change in Higher Education (Aug. 20, 2025)
In the season six premiere of the (renamed!) NACU podcast, Barry Dornfeld, principal at the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) unpacks why change in higher education is uniquely complex, the common missteps leaders make when driving transformation, and how institutions can emerge from disruption positioned for long-term success while staying true to their missions. Drawing on his background as an anthropologist and ethnographer, Barry shares practical strategies and powerful insights into the cultural dynamics that shape organizational change. Hosted by Michelle Apuzzio.
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