In this episode of Gettin’ Stuff Done in Higher Education, the GSD crew sits down with Dr. Scott Dolan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-dolan-79369745/], Executive Dean at Excelsior University. Scott walks us through the history of Excelsior and its long-standing focus on serving adult learners. The conversation explores how institutions designed for working adults think about access, flexibility, and innovation. We also discuss what “hybrid” education might realistically look like in the coming years and why partnerships and strategic locations still matter, even for institutions that are primarily online.

GSD Episode 14: Dr. Scott Dolan

In this episode, we dig into Competency-Based Education with Grace Fowler, Senior Director of Client Success for the Competency-Based Education Network [https://www.c-ben.org/] (C-BEN) to discuss the role that Competency-Based Education is playing in a rapidly changing career and employment landscape.

GSD Episode 13: Grace Fowler

Kelvin and Fritz welcome Dr. Rob Gibson, Dean of Academic Services and Director of Instructional Technology at Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (aka WSU Tech). We talk about how WSU Tech is thriving in the difficult enrollment environment, how AI is making its way into higher education, and have a few laughs along the way.

GSD Episode 12: Dr. Rob Gibson

We kick off 2026 with Friso Kuiper, Lead Senior Analyst, Market Research and Business Analysis at Tufts University. The discussion gets into the weeds of using IPEDS data to analyze program opportunities. We also talk about Higher Education Data Labs [https://hedatalab.com/], Friso's upcoming venture to create a data platform that provides enhanced IPEDS to higher education market research and institutional research professionals.

GSD Episode 11: Friso Kuiper

Dr. Erin Crisp from the University of Tennessee System joins us to describe her efforts to support improving educator pipelines in her state through the use of apprenticeships that benefit educator paraprofessionals. This discussion highlights the nuances of working within the learn-work ecosystem.

GSD Episode 10: Dr. Erin Crisp

Dr. Maya Evans joins us to unpack her path from tenure-track faculty to institutional research to strategic leadership and why higher education often mistakes analysis for actual strategy. We explore the moments that shaped her work and the questions she believes leaders need to start asking. A focused, honest look at what it really takes to move institutions forward.

GSD Episode 9: Dr. Maya Evans

Kevin, Kelvin, and Fritz get into a range of topics, including new roles, conferences, and the confusing landscape of micro-credentials.

GSD Episode 8: The Boys Are Back

The GSD crew has a wide-ranging discussion with Dr. Khendum Gyabak, Senior Director for Teaching and Learning Excellence at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). We explore the unique challenges and opportunities that the College is encountering as it serves a world-wide learner population. Plus, we talk about how MCAD is wrestling with the use of AI in an arts curriculum.

GSD Episode 7: Dr. Khendum Gyabak

Kevin and Fritz talk to Dr. Nick Pace, whose career has taken him from teacher, to principal, to faculty member, to his new role as Dean of the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. Nick provides some very useful insights about how to step into a leadership role as well as the special meaning of buckeyes (the seed, not the university in Ohio...) in his family.

GSD Episode 6: Dr. Nick Pace

For Episode 5, Kevin, Kelvin, and Fritz welcome their first guest, Dr. Michael Edmondson, Associate Provost for Continued Learning at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Michael walks us through his path from first generation undergraduate student to private sector market research to leading non-degree credential initiatives at NJIT. And there's a healthy dose of laughter along the way!

GSD Episode 5: Our First Guest, Dr. Michael Edmondson

There are plenty of higher ed podcasts out there, but most focus on broad trends, big headlines, or surface-level commentary. What’s often missing are the authentic voices of the people who actually move things forward on campus every day. 

That’s why Fritz Vandover, Kelvin Bentley, and Kevin Shriner created the GSD Podcast. Collectively, we bring more than 80 years of lived experience across teaching, administration, policy, technology, and leadership. We’ve built programs, sat in cabinet meetings, navigated layoffs, and wrestled with the realities of enrollment cliffs, accreditation, and innovation fatigue.

Gettin' Stuff Done in Higher Education

Join Fritz Vandover, Kelvin Bentley, and Kevin Shriner [https://gsdhighered.com/] to talk all things higher education with the people who make it work.

GSD in Higher Education

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