In this episode of Trusted Voices, Erin Hennessy and Teresa Valerio Parrot unpack the realities facing higher education leaders today. Drawing from recent conferences and sector-wide conversations, they explore how institutions are navigating overlapping challenges—from policy shifts and leadership turnover to the growing uncertainty in international education.

In this episode of Trusted Voices, Anne Harris, president of Grinnell College, shares her perspective on leading a liberal arts institution through a time of political volatility and cultural change. From navigating government relations to fostering a culture of critique on campus, Harris explores how colleges can stay grounded in their mission while adapting to external pressures.

Live from the ACE Experience conference, Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy discuss early insights from the upcoming 2026 Survey of College and University Presidents. From sustained institutional risk and political pressure to AI governance and public accountability, this episode explores how higher ed leaders are navigating an increasingly complex operating environment — and what that means for the future of presidential leadership.

State politics are playing a larger role in shaping higher education governance. In this episode of Trusted Voices, Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy sit down with governance scholar Michael Harris to examine presidential searches, board authority, transparency, and the shifting balance of power between campuses and capitols.

In this episode of Trusted Voices, Erin Hennessy and Teresa Valerio Parrot reflect on the close of the year and turn their attention to what lies ahead for higher education in 2026. From evolving federal priorities and campus protests to financial sustainability and the growing role of trustees, the conversation explores how institutions can move from reactive to prepared.

Leadership in higher education demands more than strategy—it requires energy, focus, and the courage to think creatively. In this episode, Todd Henry joins Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy to unpack what drains leaders most, why pruning distractions matters, and how authenticity and optimism can fuel brave, meaningful action on campus.

The hosts of Trusted Voices and Campus Docket join forces to break down the Trump administration’s higher education compact and its legal, political, and governance implications for colleges and universities navigating unprecedented federal oversight.

In this episode of Trusted Voices, hosts Erin Hennessy and Teresa Valerio Parrot explore the legal and political pressures reshaping higher education. From UNC’s FOIA lawsuit to Title IX and Title VI compliance, they examine how institutions can balance transparency, student equity, and governance. The hosts also spotlight challenges international athletes face in the NIL era and reflect on public perception of higher ed.