Higher Ed Pulse

Pulse Check: Finding Your Why — Part 2

Episode Summary

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series, Kin is joined by W. Kent Barnds, who has 33 years of experience in higher ed and shares his why and the importance of working at a college campus.

Episode Notes

In Part 2 of this Pulse Check series, Kin is joined by W. Kent Barnds, who has 33 years of experience in higher ed and shares his why and the importance of working at a college campus.

Key points/takeaways include:

• The need for leaders to stay at institutions to fight the good fight.
• The comfort level of employees with a delayed sense of gratification that often is part and parcel of working in higher ed.
• The importance of giving space to break out of the mundane, repetitive work
• The difference between what can be controlled and what cannot as circumstances change around us.
• Finding opportunities to be surrounded by student stories and the larger purpose of advancing education. 

Guest Name: W. Kent Barnds

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wkentbarnds/

Guest Bio: W. Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy & Innovation, Augustana College 
Kent Barnds is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in higher education, known for his strategic acumen and proficiency in driving organizational success. His strategic vision has played a pivotal role in advancing the objectives at Elizabethtown College and Augustana College, contributing to their sustained growth and impact. 
Having served in key leadership positions, including Vice President for Enrollment, Communication, and Planning at Augustana College and as the Executive Vice President at Augustana College, Kent has honed his skills in strategic planning, enrollment management, and communication. His experience equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education institutions and non-profits today.