In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, host Ben Hallett, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Vygo, sits down with Dr. Randall VanWagoner, President of Mohawk Valley Community College, to explore the power of institutional culture, leadership, and innovation in transforming student success. Drawing on nearly two decades of presidential leadership and his experience as the author of Competing on Culture, Dr. VanWagoner shares why building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating the right conditions for change are essential to meaningful institutional transformation. The conversation explores how community colleges are moving beyond access and completion toward economic mobility, and how leaders can embrace AI and emerging technologies without compromising the culture and values that make their institutions successful. At the heart of the conversation is Dr. VanWagoner's belief that lasting student success begins with a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. From adopting human-centred approaches to AI to creating life-changing opportunities for students, he highlights why the future of higher education depends on balancing innovation with empathy, trust, and connection.
In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, host Ben Hallett, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Vygo, sits down with Dr. Randall VanWagoner, President of Mohawk Valley Community College, to explore the power of institutional culture, leadership, and innovation in transforming student success. Drawing on nearly two decades of presidential leadership and his experience as the author of Competing on Culture, Dr. VanWagoner shares why building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating the right conditions for change are essential to meaningful institutional transformation. The conversation explores how community colleges are moving beyond access and completion toward economic mobility, and how leaders can embrace AI and emerging technologies without compromising the culture and values that make their institutions successful. At the heart of the conversation is Dr. VanWagoner's belief that lasting student success begins with a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. From adopting human-centred approaches to AI to creating life-changing opportunities for students, he highlights why the future of higher education depends on balancing innovation with empathy, trust, and connection.
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The conversation with Sir David Bell, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Sunderland, delves into the intersection of education and community development. Sir David emphasizes the importance of a strong university-city relationship and the role of universities in preparing good citizens and work-ready individuals. He also discusses the challenges faced by universities in maintaining their social license and the need for education to provide tools for informed decision-making. Takeaways University-city relationship Preparing good citizens and work-ready individuals Challenges in maintaining social license Education's role in providing tools for informed decision-making
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In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Adam Klepetar, Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at Berkshire Community College, to explore the power of community colleges, holistic student support, and the human side of student success. Adam shares how his own transformational college experience shaped a career dedicated to creating access and opportunity for students. Together, Ben and Adam discuss Berkshire’s remarkable recent growth, the impact of Massachusetts’ free community college initiative, and why investing in advising, mental health, and essential needs support is critical to improving student outcomes. The conversation also dives into leadership, student development theory, AI in higher education, and the importance of preserving human connection in an increasingly digital world. At the heart of the episode is a simple but powerful idea: higher education works best when students feel seen, supported, and connected to a community that believes in their potential.
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n this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Mark Brainard, President of Delaware Technical Community College, for a powerful conversation about student success, community colleges, and the life-changing impact of accessible education. Throughout the episode, Ben and Mark explore how Delaware Tech has spent the last two decades intentionally improving graduation and completion rates by rethinking how the institution supports students academically and holistically. The episode also explores the long-term impact of Achieving the Dream, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and why community colleges remain one of the most transformational forces in education today.
In this episode of the Campus Changemakers Podcast, Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Christine Mangino, President of Queensborough Community College, for a thoughtful conversation about equity, belonging, and what it truly takes to help every student succeed in higher education. As a first-generation college student who began her own journey at Nassau Community College, Dr. Mangino brings both personal experience and institutional leadership to the discussion. Now leading one of the most diverse community colleges in the United States, she shares how Queensborough Community College is building a culture of care that supports students from more than 117 countries and over 80 language backgrounds.
