Riding Out a Cat5 Administration

Crisis leadership, culture wars, and why higher ed must lead—not retreat—in a polarized world.

55 minutes
By: Campus Docket

 

Higher ed’s hurricane season.

When Walter Kimbrough calls leading a college in today’s climate “like riding out a hurricane,” he’s not speaking metaphorically—at least, not entirely. The longtime HBCU president, now interim leader of Talladega College, knows a thing or two about steering institutions through storms, both literal and political.

On the latest episode of Campus Docket, co-hosts Eric Kelderman and Scott Schneider sit down with Kimbrough for a wide-ranging conversation on crisis leadership, culture wars, and how higher education can better model civic dialogue in a post-truth world.

Kimbrough’s reflections are shaped by decades in leadership, including his tenure at Dillard University following Hurricane Katrina. That experience, he says, informs how institutions must navigate today’s existential threats, such as the federal scrutiny targeting elite universities, growing public skepticism of DEI efforts, and free speech tensions amplified by political polarization.

“There’s a real danger in remaining silent,” Kimbrough says. “Higher ed has to be the place where we learn to argue both sides, model that behavior, and call out disinformation when we see it.”

He’s candid about the failings of institutions too, acknowledging that many DEI programs lack clear goals or measurable impact, making them easy targets for critics. He argues for internal accountability and more creative pedagogy to challenge assumptions and promote ethical thinking, including his own classroom experiments using hip hop and court cases.

The conversation also turns deeply personal. Kimbrough and Schneider swap stories about New Orleans, where culture seeps into every exchange, from strangers calling you “baby” to the character-filled eateries like Neos. It’s a reminder that place and personality matter in education too.

In a moment when many college leaders feel pressure to lay low, Kimbrough’s message is clear: Now is not the time to retreat. “If Harvard loses,” he warns, “it’s bad for everybody.”

The Docket

Campus Docket

Campus Docket

Podcast

Campus Docket cuts through the week’s headline‑grabbing lawsuits and federal actions to explain how fast‑moving legal shifts are rewriting the playbook for higher education.

Newsletter Sign up!

Stay current in digital strategy, brand amplification, design thinking and more.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Also in Podcasts

A picture of Paul Fain, a light-skinned man with short born hair and a bear wearing a blue shirt and striped tie.

Paul Fain on the Bridge Between Education and the Workforce

The creator of The Job newsletter and the related weekly publication Work Shift joins Teresa and Erin to dig into the practical application of a degree and the importance of prioritizing work readiness.

By: Trusted Voices
An image for the Higher Voltage podcast episode Beyond the Sage on the Stage: The Future of Quality Learning. In the center is an image of CEO at Semester at Sea, Scott Marshall, a tall, slender mean with graying dark hair and a goatee wearing a blue collared shirt. To the right, in a smaller bubble, is an image of Higher Voltage host Kevin Tyler, a man with a bald head and a dark mustache wearing a plaid shirt.

Beyond the Sage on the Stage: The Future of Quality Learning

Quality learning isn’t about what we teach. It’s about how students and faculty grow together through experience, collaboration and innovation.

By: Higher Voltage
A light-skinned man with wavy, short, brown hair wearing a black suit coat and light purple shirt.

Degree Choices Hopes to Reduce US News’ Rankings Dominance

David Levy discusses how higher ed rankings are doing a disservice to Black applicants and the importance of comprehensive data collection.

By: Higher Voltage
Higher Voltage episode Trust, Credibility, and the Power of Checklists with guest Melissa Farmer Richards, a woman with shoulder-length curly brown hair wearing glasses, a pink blazer and a blue ruffle blouse. To the right is a smaller bubble with a picture of Higher Voltage host, Kevin Tyler, a bald man with a dark mustache wearing a plaid collared shirt.

Trust, Credibility and the Power of Checklists

Leadership is about action—building trust, earning credibility, and demonstrating commitment—and having a plan makes all the difference.

By: Higher Voltage