Listen "How Listening to The Community Transforms Colleges"
Episode Synopsis
What does it take to lead a university that listens, learns, and evolves with the world around it?In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz sits down with Michael Alexander, former president of Lasell University, to explore what universities must learn from the communities, industries, and local voices just beyond their gates. Drawing from his unique journey from Hollywood studios to higher ed leadership, Alexander shares how asking the right questions—and listening to external voices—helped transform Lasell into a hub of innovation, civic engagement, and economic impact.From launching a retirement village that became an academic asset, to reshaping programs based on real employer needs, this conversation reveals how radical cooperation and two-way learning can turn institutional challenges into lasting opportunity.In this episode:How community partnerships created lasting academic innovationWhy economic impact is higher ed’s most underused storyThe power of listening over leading in institutional changeNote: Since this recording, Michael Alexander was named Interim President of Western New England University.
More episodes of the podcast Radical Cooperation
The Strategic Power of the Higher Ed CFO
25/11/2025
AI Literacy Is Higher Ed’s New Core Skill
29/10/2025
The Long Game of Bold Educational Change
15/10/2025
What It Takes to Lead in Online Education
17/09/2025
Building Career Pathways With Purpose
03/09/2025
How to Break the Academic Silo Mindset
20/08/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.