Campus Confidential

What can growing mold teach you about yourself and your career? Julie Payne-Kirchmeier, Vice President for Student Success at Indiana University, has traveled from Howdy to Hoosier and along the way learned that feedback is a gift, doing hard things can’t come at your own expense, to test the water temperature before jumping in, and why it’s advisable to avoid both orange and goat rodeos!

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

Ever wondered what people think about your university? Dr. Liz Gross, Founder and CEO of Campus Sonar, tells us it’s called “social listening.” Yeah, we didn’t know that either!

In this episode Liz explains why you should present a vision rather than ask for permission, how to create a safe and transparent work culture, and how working in the private sector doesn’t mean you left higher education.

Check it out (and we’ll 'social listen" to find out what you think)!

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

We’re going Rim to Rim! This special Labor Day edition of Campus Confidential features a takeover by the co-producers, Corey and Jen, who step out from behind the scenes to share some candid conversations and juicy tidbits from our first recording session.

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

This episode reminds us why higher ed matters! Listen in as Student Government Presidents Julia Hatoum (University of Delaware) and Emmie Thompson (University of South Carolina) describe how core values ground their leadership, why small wins can have big impacts, how COVID affected the student experience, and why students should “pour themselves into extracurriculars.”

Seriously, friends, this is a leadership masterclass to kick off the fall semester!

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

What’s the easiest part to your day? For Kelly Schukart, General Manager of Oregon Sports Properties at the University of Oregon, and mother of two busy kids, sometimes it’s work! In this episode, Kelly digs into what she’s learned on her journey from college athlete to sports marketing executive, including takes on the importance of women in leadership, courage in seeking new opportunities, and career curation. It’s game time!

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

Halfway through our first year of Campus Confidential, Kelsey and Loren pause to unpack what they’ve learned – from their guests, about themselves, and about how (and how not!) to do a podcast. They reflect on what it’s been like and what’s to come, describe changes they’ve made behind the scenes, share advice they’ve received, and even apologize to a few guests!

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

Have you ever wondered how to leverage all your life experiences in your higher education career? In this episode, Jim Dwyer, assistant vice president for auxiliary business services at Arizona State University, reveals how learning by doing, wanderlust in the Australian Outback, and even running laps in an airport can teach us all we need to know about more effective leadership. Your boarding pass is ready!

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

Feeling a little out of tune? This episode featuring the sharp Eddie Daniels, Assistant VP for Business Services at the University of Florida, is sure to strike a chord. Eddie carries us along on his journey of public service that has rests in government and multicultural affairs along the route to his current leadership role. Along the way, we key in on values like having the courage to change, honoring those who have come before us, and perhaps most importantly, the difference between the clarinet, saxophone, and flute. You flat out don't want to miss this one!

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

“Sometimes you have to cross the line to find out where it is.” Cue the mind-blown emoji! This episode – featuring Pam Watts, Executive Director of NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation – covers the whole gamut. We talk leading with influence, acknowledging career grief, and where we can find the difference between “I can” and “I can’t.” Plus, some solid last-minute road trip advice – buckle up, listeners.

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

We’ve had the opportunity to get to know a lot of amazing folks in the higher education and leadership fields. Now, in this special holiday weekend episode, we’ll take a moment to pause and peek into the personalities and quirks of your hosts, Kelsey and Loren. They pose some hard questions to each other and ponder their own strengths, preferences, and perceived weaknesses.

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

In this episode, brightspot founder Elliot Felix lets us in on a secret - it’s possible to “de-risk” important decisions through prototyping and self-awareness.  He’s turned this knowledge into a successful higher education advisory firm that has helped thousands of students “get more out of college” (that is when he’s not shelving library books!).

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

In this episode, recorded live at the annual NASPA conference in Boston, Jim and Bernard describe how mischief-making in college can lead to successful higher education careers, how to be a great mentor for others, and when you just need to “bury the pager” to get someone’s attention.

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

Leah Barrett, President of Northeast Community College, always knew she wanted to be “the boss.” In this episode, she shares what she’s learned over her years of experience as one – listening is more powerful than speaking, disagreement can lead to better solutions, and authenticity is non-negotiable.

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

When things get tough, LaNiece Tyree reminds us that “it doesn’t storm forever.” With a storied career journey that has led to her current role as Assistant VP of Auxiliary Enterprises at Howard University, LaNiece shares valuable perspectives on accountability, self-awareness, embracing change, and being intentional with words in order to turn red lights into green lights. 

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

What happens when you say the quiet stuff out loud? Dr. TJ Logan, associate VP for student life at The Ohio State University, has built a career on speaking necessary truths. In this episode, he shares his insights on how to do so while building credibility, learning when to cash in all your chips, and understanding the nuance of decision-making.

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

If you work in higher education, you already know – this sh*t is hard! 

Campus Confidential follows Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman as they dive deep into the real world of higher education leadership. Alongside special guests from across the industry, they share insights about highs and lows, complex personal reflections, and managing change in this dynamic world. By providing a space for community, connection, and vulnerability, Kelsey and Loren aim to validate current leaders, inspire future ones, and ultimately bring the heart back to higher education.

Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.