Podcast guests amplify the voices—as well as the aspirations, challenges, contributions, and strengths—of young professionals in higher education. Brought to you by series hosts Wes Johnson and Sarah J. Buszka and by the Young Professionals Advisory Committee (YPAC).
Season 4
Managing AI Risk and Return
Episode 2 | February 5, 2026
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping higher education in complex and sometimes uneasy ways. This episode features a discussion of institutional risk, responsible adoption, workforce uncertainty, and how leaders can prepare campuses for an AI driven future.
Behind the AI Stack
Episode 1 | January 8, 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere in higher education—but how it’s being implemented varies widely. In this special live recording of EDUCAUSE Rising Voices, two educational technologists from different institutions sit down for a candid conversation about their unique “AI stacks”: the tools, trainings, policies, and workflows shaping AI adoption at their universities.
Season 3
Lessons from 2025, Plans for 2026
Episode 9 | December 4, 2025
In this episode, the Rising Voices crew reflects on a turbulent year marked by rapid change and shifting workplace dynamics, emphasizing community and connection. They also share their thoughts on upcoming intentions for 2026 and strategies for navigating accelerating change.
Cultivating an IT Talent Pipeline
Episode 8 | November 6, 2025
Tim Chester, Vice Chancellor of IT at the University System of Georgia joins the episode to discuss developing diverse, resilient IT teams through leadership that prioritizes growth, accountability, and long-term human investment.
Recognizing Career Opportunities
Episode 7 | September 4, 2025
In this episode, the young professionals share candid stories about career pivots, growth, and knowing when to move on. They discuss the tools needed to find and act on professional opportunities.
Getting Acclimated to Higher Ed: A Guide for New Professionals
Episode 6 | August 7, 2025
Navigating higher education as a newcomer means learning to balance institutional culture, organizational politics, and constant change. This conversation offers practical strategies, personal stories, and insights to help you build confidence, make connections, and grow—whether you're early in your career or transitioning from another industry.
Navigating Career Transitions
Episode 5 | June 5, 2025
In this episode, we hear from professionals at different stages of their career journeys as they reflect on risk, resilience, and growth. They share advice on stepping into leadership roles, recognizing when it may be time for a change, and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Fostering a Culture of Belonging
Episode 4 | April 24, 2025
This episode explores the role of belonging in the workplace and how mentorship, identity, and self-advocacy shape professional growth.
A Behind the Scenes Look at Mentorship in Practice
Episode 3 | March 13, 2025
Mentoring is a powerful, evolving relationship that fosters growth for both the mentor and the mentee. This conversation delves into the practical aspects of mentorship, from initiating connections to navigating participants' needs to learning from every interaction.
Start with Storytelling: A Masterclass
Episode 2 | February 13, 2025
Storytelling is an essential skill for higher education professionals, enabling them to connect with colleagues, make complex ideas more accessible, and drive meaningful conversation. In this episode, we explore the art of narrative storytelling techniques adapted expressly for IT professionals.
Mentorship Matters: Cultivating Mentor-Mentee Connections
Episode 1 | January 16, 2025
To celebrate National Mentoring Month, we discuss the transformative power of mentorship in higher education, exploring the qualities and impact of a successful mentor-mentee relationship, and the value of both formal and informal guidance.
Season 2
5 Keys to Collaborating with Young Professionals
Episode 8 | November 21, 2024
In this episode, hosts and guests discuss five essential principles for effectively managing or collaborating with young professionals, including the importance of feedback, meaningful work, transparency, personalized support, and a culture of continuous learning.
Fostering Brave Space: Reflections on Brené Brown's Dare to Lead
Episode 7 | October 10, 2024
In this episode, the discussion centers around leadership insights from Brene Brown’s book Dare to Lead, exploring themes like authenticity, vulnerability, and building trust in the workplace. Hosts Wes Johnson and Sarah J. Buszka also share tips for making the most of your EDUCAUSE 2024 Conference experience.
Unconventional Paths to IT Careers
Episode 6 | August 15, 2024
The higher education technology profession has become increasingly interdisciplinary, and many young professionals are entering technology roles from nontraditional backgrounds. In this episode, we discuss how nontechnical strengths contribute to a better technical organization.
Why Young Professionals Choose Higher Education Careers
Episode 5 | July 18, 2024
In this episode, we discuss some of the reasons young professionals gravitate toward a career in higher education.
Strategies for Navigating the EDUCAUSE Top 10
Episode 4 | June 20, 2024
Hosts Wes and Sarah speak to Susan Grajek from EDUCAUSE and Joseph Caudle from the University of Notre Dame about how young professionals can leverage the insights from the annual EDUCAUSE Top 10 to address institutional challenges and shape the future of higher education.
Trailblazing a Modern Path to CIO
Episode 3 | May 15, 2024
Finding a path to a leadership role can be daunting. In this episode, hosts Sarah and Wes speak with two young professionals who have forged a path to the CIO position and discuss how they got there.
Finding Flow: Harmonizing Life and Career
Episode 2 | April 24, 2024
Balancing work and life can be particularly challenging for higher education professionals now that many are working from home or in a hybrid environment. This podcast episode explores a variety of approaches and philosophies for improving work-life balance.
The Holiday Recharge
Episode 1 | January 11, 2024
Hosts Sarah and Wes discuss how to disengage from work concerns when it's time for a long break and how to avoid vacation whiplash on your return.
Season 1
Young Professionals’ Influence on Strategic Planning
Episode 3 | November 28, 2023
In this episode, we talk about strategic planning and the skills needed to traverse such a complex undertaking. Our guests include John O'Brien, EDUCAUSE President and CEO, and Chris Bradney, Director of Strategic Technology Initiatives at California State University-San Bernardino.
Debunking 5 Myths about Young Professionals
Episode 2 | October 26, 2023
In this episode, we discuss five misconceptions about young professionals and why some people have a skewed vision of younger generations. (Recorded live at the EDUCAUSE 2023 Conference.)
Networking for Young Professionals
Episode 1 | September 21, 2023
Networking is an important part of building your higher education career, but it doesn't have to be a daunting task. Members of the EDUCAUSE Young Professionals Advisory Committee discuss strategies for making professional connections and finding your community.