About the Episode
About the Episode:
In this episode of Visionary Voices: The College President's Playbook, host Dr. Bryan Gross dives into a provocative conversation with President Nick Ladany and Dr. Heather Herrera, Vice President for Strategy and Innovation at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU). The episode unveils SFBU’s audacious approach to transforming higher education, centered around the creation of the Center for Empowerment and Pedagogical Innovation (CEPI)—an initiative dedicated to addressing a long-standing issue in academia: the lack of formal teaching training for faculty.
President Ladany openly challenges the traditional higher education model, where faculty often excel in their fields but lack the pedagogical skills necessary to truly engage and educate students. CEPI aims to disrupt this norm by equipping faculty with the tools and methodologies they need to be not just good, but great teachers. This bold move positions SFBU as a challenger in the higher education landscape, committed to redefining what it means to be an effective educator.
Dr. Herrera further explains SFBU’s six-pillars framework—academics, life literacy, wellness, relationships, financial support, and career mobility—that underpins the university’s holistic approach to student success. Throughout the conversation, President Ladany challenges higher education leaders to be fearless in their pursuit of innovation, urging them to confront outdated practices and embrace change.
This episode offers a candid and thought-provoking look at how SFBU is leading the charge in teaching faculty how to teach, setting a new standard for excellence in higher education.
Key Takeaways:
- Faculty Development at the Core: SFBU’s Center for Empowerment and Pedagogical Innovation focuses on training faculty to be effective teachers, addressing the common lack of pedagogical training in higher education.
- Equity and Access: The center is grounded in SFBU’s values of access and inclusion, designed to combat high failure rates among students by improving teaching and learning experiences.
- Innovative Framework: SFBU’s six-pillar framework prioritizes not just academics but also life literacy, wellness, financial support, career mobility, and building relationships to ensure student success.
- Growth Mindset: Both faculty and students are encouraged to embrace a growth mindset, focusing on continuous improvement through formative assessments and intelligent failure.
- Affordability and Community Impact: SFBU keeps tuition low and caps class sizes, while fostering deep connections with Silicon Valley industries to ensure career readiness and mobility for its diverse student body.
Episode Summary
A Vision for Faculty and Student Empowerment at SFBU
San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is shaking up the higher education landscape with its launch of the Center for Empowerment and Pedagogical Innovation (CEPI). As President Nick Ladany explains, the initiative arose from the recognition that the majority of higher education faculty have never received formal training in teaching, resulting in inconsistent learning experiences for students. The center aims to train faculty in pedagogical best practices, including the integration of modern tools like AI and active learning techniques, to improve teaching effectiveness across disciplines.
The goal, according to Vice President for Strategy and Innovation Heather Herrera, is to combat the high dropout rates common at many institutions, particularly among low-income students and students of color. At the heart of CEPI’s strategy is a six-pillar framework designed to support students not just academically, but in areas like life literacy, wellness, and career mobility. This holistic approach ensures that students are prepared for long-term success, and that faculty are empowered to guide them toward achieving their goals.
Innovation in Faculty Development
SFBU’s commitment to faculty development is a key differentiator. As Dr. Herrera notes, the new core curriculum and the center’s faculty training are built on principles like “Think, Do, Create,” which moves beyond the traditional lecture model to foster active learning. Faculty are encouraged to experiment with different teaching techniques, engage students in hands-on projects, and use formative assessments that help students learn from their mistakes. This approach aims to alleviate student anxiety and create a culture of intelligent failure—where students are free to make mistakes and grow from them.
Additionally, SFBU is fostering a culture of continuous improvement among its faculty, emphasizing the importance of a growth mindset not just for students, but for instructors as well. Faculty members are evaluated on how well they embody key competencies such as creative problem-solving and productive optimism, creating a feedback loop that holds educators accountable for their professional growth.
The Role of Community and Affordability
In keeping with its mission to serve the Silicon Valley community, SFBU has designed its business model to be financially sustainable while maintaining affordable tuition for students. At just $10,000 per year, SFBU’s tuition is significantly lower than many private institutions, and class sizes are capped at 20 students to ensure personalized attention. This focus on affordability and small class sizes allows the university to provide a “concierge” level of support for students, helping them navigate both their academic journey and their future career paths.
Moreover, SFBU has deliberately limited the number of degree programs it offers to focus on high-demand areas like psychology and technology, ensuring that students graduate with the skills necessary to thrive in the workforce. As President Ladany emphasizes, universities don’t need dozens of majors to succeed; they need to be strategic about the programs they offer and the resources they allocate.
A Call to Be Fearless in Higher Education
As SFBU continues to grow, President Ladany encourages other higher education leaders to embrace innovation and push beyond the traditional models of teaching and administration. He challenges institutions to be more fearless in their approach to change, pointing out that too many universities operate under a “status quo” mentality, afraid to disrupt entrenched systems. Instead, Ladany advocates for a bold approach that prioritizes student success, institutional accountability, and a willingness to confront difficult conversations.
About the Show: This show explores a range of critical topics, from navigating financial challenges and embracing technological innovation to fostering student success and promoting diversity and inclusion. Featuring in-depth case studies and a focus on transformative strategies, the podcast is a valuable resource for current and aspiring leaders in academia, offering a playbook of visionary ideas and practical solutions for the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.
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