
Campus Confidential
By Compass Group
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 ConfidentialOct 02, 2023

17. Keep the promises you make to yourself (w/Dr. Julie Payne-Kirchmeier)
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.

16. Leverage the talents of people (w/Dr. Liz Gross)
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.

Extra Credit: Back to the Beginning
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.

15. Don't get lost in the sauce (w/Student Government Presidents)
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.

14. Hard things are not bad things (w/Kelly Schukart)
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.

EXTRA CREDIT: Don't click your pen (w/Kelsey Harmon Finn & 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.

12. Individual at scale (w/Jim Dwyer)
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.

11. Choose a life of service (w/Eddie Daniels)
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.

10. Stay open to possibilities (w/Pam Watts)
“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.

9. BONUS: Moving through fear and change (w/Kelsey and Loren)
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.

8. Design your own experience (w/Elliot Felix)
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.

7. Hope for the future (LIVE at NASPA)
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.

6. I am always my authentic self (w/President Leah Barrett)
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.

5. It doesn’t storm forever (w/LaNiece Tyree)
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.

4. Saying the quiet stuff out loud (w/Dr. TJ Logan)
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.

3. Time to shake up the snow globe (w/Dr. Felicia Lee)
Guaranteed to make you want to shake up the snow globe, this episode features a powerful conversation with Dr. Felicia Lee, global leadership coach and founder of Campana Leadership Group. We dig into a range of topics like centers of energy, blind spots, the power of self-talk and the lessons higher education leaders can learn from the corporate world.
You can learn more about Dr. Felicia Lee on her LinkedIn page or at campanaleadership.com.
Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

2. What you do is not who you are (w/Dr. Kim D. Harrington)
Listen in as Dr. Kim D. Harrington, executive director and chief of staff for student engagement and well-being at Georgia Tech, uses her stories to describe how drive and work ethic are as important as confidence, how both visible and less visible leadership are important, and how listening and people-centeredness contributes to success. You can find and connect with Kim on Twitter @KDHtweets.
Campus Confidential is presented by Compass Group and produced by Corey Inscoe and Jen Fisher – with your hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman.

1. Welcome to Campus Confidential w/Kelsey and Loren
Hello, listener! How are you today? Welcome to Campus Confidential, a community for those engrained in the hard but rewarding work of higher education. In this kick-off episode, co-hosts Kelsey & Loren bring their humor and humility to the forefront to dig into their hopes and their “why” for the podcast.
- Kelsey Harmon Finn is VP of Ambassador Relations, Higher Education at Compass Group
- Loren Rullman is Principal and Director of Higher Education at Workshop Architects

Introducing Campus Confidential
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.