Leading Change in Universities

Drawing from his presidency at Northern Kentucky University, Ashish Vaidya shares practical strategies for leading institutional change within regional public universities. He emphasizes the importance of listening to students, alumni, and business leaders to align academic programs with real-world needs. Vaidya advocates for data-informed decision-making and strategic planning focused on outcomes and differentiation rather than broad, unfocused goals. He underscores the need for accountability — not only at the executive level but across faculty and leadership — especially when student success, workforce readiness, and resource allocation are at stake.