Why Universities Must Change… or Be Left Behind | Dr. Stacy Young, Manchester University

On today's show I sat down with Dr. Stacy Young, the 16th president of Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana, about how small colleges must adapt by listening to student demands for affordability, speed, and clear return on investment. Young shares her journey from accounting student to president, Manchester's small-campus advantages, and the role athletics plays with about 60% of students as athletes. She highlights innovations like Indiana's first 90-credit bachelor's degrees, alignment of core curriculum to employer-desired skills, and partnerships with Ivy Tech enabling three degrees in three years. We also discuss experiential learning, alumni networking, health science graduate programs (including pharmacogenomics and nutrigenomics), and community development through a Lilly Endowment College Community Collaboration Grant funding housing, downtown projects, and campus renovations including esports. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - Dr. Stacy Young's Journey from Manchester University Student to President - Manchester University's Small-Campus Advantages - Manchester's 90-Credit Bachelor Degrees and Partnerships with Ivy Tech Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Higher Ed Must Change 00:28 Guest Introduction: Dr. Stacy Young, Manchester University President 01:52 Why Manchester Chose Her 02:39 Athletics And Belonging 04:26 Small School Big Opportunities 05:41 Clubs And Campus Life 06:47 Recruiting And First Gen Students 08:53 Debt Free Faster Degrees 11:10 Core Skills Employers Want 11:42 Majors Programs And Pipelines 15:17 Roots And Peace Studies Legacy 17:06 College To University Shift 18:32 Ivy Tech Three Degrees 21:14 Experiential Learning Internships 23:19 Faculty Impact And Alumni Network 31:30 Fort Wayne Health Sciences Campus 31:45 Genomics Meets Nutrition 32:29 Leading Two Campuses 33:03 Staying Competitive in Higher Ed 34:47 AI Funding and Readiness 35:53 Town and Gown Grant Projects 39:30 Visit Weekend in North Manchester 42:40 Who Thrives at Manchester 44:00 Mom Perspective and Campus Life 46:16 Housing and Student Belonging 47:20 Athletics and New Sports 48:01 Rapid Fire Indiana Favorites 51:13 Traditions Rivalries and Homecoming 53:20 Hidden Gems and Wrap Up Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.