Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Marjorie Valbrun, Senior Editor of Inside Higher Ed, speak with Alexander Cartwright, President of the University of Central Florida. He talks to us about the surprise and logistics of receiving an enormous philanthropic gift, the importance of state universities partnering with community colleges, and some of the new leadership lessons he's learned during the pandemic. Topics include:

• What to do when someone gives your institution $40 million
• Strengthening the regional economy while helping students follow their dreams
• Being adaptive, innovative, and approachable during hard times
• The need to be compassionate, to listen, and to empower
• Recognizing who's on your team and how to value their contributions

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Doug Lederman, Editor and Co-Founder of Inside Higher Ed, speak with Michael Rao, President of Virginia Commonwealth University. He talks to us about recognizing the education that most students want and need, returning to campus during the pandemic, and how to be a more effective and efficient leader. Topics include:

• Elitism in higher ed vs. the real-world needs of the neglected majority
• Students' expectations for their college experience
• A pragmatic look at starting a new school year in a time of COVID
• The need for personal care and prioritizing his communications
• Wisdom from his mentors and his own advice to rising higher ed leaders

Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance, and Doug Lederman, Editor and Co-Founder of Inside Higher Ed, speak with Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future. JFF is a nonprofit that sits at the intersection between workforce, education, policy, and practice. In our conversation, President Flynn talks about connecting college graduates with employment opportunities, the skills required in an evolving career marketplace, and the challenges of scaling a nonprofit within a volatile ecosystem. Topics include:

• Smooth transitions between college and the labor market
• What's expected of tomorrow's entrepreneurs and leaders
• The delicate dance required for working with so many diverse sectors
• Her advice for both seasoned and emerging leaders