The Conversation I Never Expected to Have

When I accepted the position of Associate Provost at Gardner-Webb University, I had a pretty good idea of what my work would involve. Accreditation. Academic Operations. Faculty Development & Support. Strategic initiatives. Online learning. Continuing Education. Institutional effectiveness.

Hosting a podcast never crossed my mind.

In fact, if someone had told me during my first week on campus that I would eventually record more than two dozen conversations with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and university leaders, I probably would have laughed. Yet, unexpectedly, The Bulldog Mindset became one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Gardner-Webb.

It began as a simple idea. Richard McDevitt and Noel Manning approached me about creating a university podcast that would highlight the academic experience that makes Gardner-Webb unique. I had been a guest on a few podcasts before, but I had never considered hosting one. There wasn’t a blueprint, a long-term strategy, or even much certainty that anyone would listen.

There was simply an opportunity to try something new. Looking back now, I’m incredibly grateful that we did.

Over the past two seasons, I had the privilege of sitting across the table from remarkable people. Faculty members who spoke passionately about their disciplines and the students they mentor. Staff members whose work often happens quietly behind the scenes but makes an immeasurable difference in the student experience. Administrators who shared both the challenges and opportunities facing higher education. Students who reminded me, time and again, why this work matters.

Those student conversations may have surprised me the most.

Every interview revealed another story of growth, resilience, leadership, curiosity, or purpose. Many arrived at Gardner-Webb uncertain about who they wanted to become. Listening to them describe their experiences made it clear that college is about far more than earning a degree. It is about becoming someone different than the person who first arrived on campus.

Those stories continually reinforced something I have long believed: higher education is, at its best, transformational.

There were certainly memorable moments along the way. Having the opportunity to interview President Nate Evans as he reflected on his first year serving as Interim President, and later seeing him appointed permanently to the role, captured an important moment in the university’s history. Closing the first season with Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nicole Waters felt especially fitting, as our conversation reflected many of the themes that had emerged throughout the season about leadership, learning, and institutional purpose.

Yet the highlights were never confined to a single episode. They were found in the conversations themselves.

One of the unexpected joys of hosting the podcast was discovering how quickly a prepared interview became an authentic discussion. Questions led to stories. Stories led to unexpected insights. Those insights often became the very ideas that found their way into my own writing, my leadership, and even my understanding of higher education.

I arrived thinking I would spend most of my time talking. Instead, one of the greatest gifts Gardner-Webb gave me was the opportunity to listen.

None of this would have happened without Noel Manning. While listeners heard the conversations, Noel was the person helping shape everything behind the scenes. During many episodes, he would step in and add a well-thought-out question (or follow-up). I learned a LOT from watching and listening to him. Although he is an Associate Vice President in the Department of Marketing and Communications, he has had his share of podcasts and even TV shows on local public television. Together we experimented with formats, refined the structure, expanded from audio into video, and gradually developed what the Bulldog Mindset would become. Every episode benefited from his creativity, technical expertise, and constant willingness to keep improving the experience.

As I prepare to begin a new chapter, this final episode is not really a goodbye.

One of my goals from the beginning was to create something that would continue long after I stepped away. Great institutions outlast any one individual, and hopefully the things we create while we’re part of them can do the same.

That is why I am especially excited to hand the microphone to Dr. Robert Prickett, who will lead the Bulldog Mindset beginning with Season Three. Robert brings an authentic curiosity, a genuine appreciation for people, and a deep love for Gardner-Webb that listeners have already heard whenever he has joined the podcast as a guest. I cannot think of someone better to continue telling the stories of this university.

When I think about my time at Gardner-Webb, there will certainly be major initiatives, important projects, and significant milestones that come to mind.

But I suspect that years from now, some of my favorite memories will be much simpler.

A microphone.

A conversation.

A chance to hear the stories of extraordinary people.

Those conversations changed me more than I ever expected.

For that, I will always be grateful. And for one last time……That is the Bulldog Mindset!