Happier in Higher Ed

Make a difference. Create a life you love.

  • Finding Joy in the Everyday: Embracing Small Moments of Happiness

    What small moments of happiness have you experienced today?

    In Tranquility by Tuesday, Laura Vanderkam reminds us that small moments of happiness can significantly enhance our overall happiness.

    “When we think about ‘joy’ and ‘happiness’” she writes, “we often think about whether the big pieces of a good life are in place: the prestigious job, the loving family, the beautiful home” (Vanderkam, 2022, p. xxviii).

    But she reminds us, “These things matter, but happiness is actually experienced in how we spend our hours” (Vanderkam, 2022, p. xxviii).

    Research indicates that we often struggle to identify what truly makes us happy (Brooks, 2023).

    So, let’s pay attention.

    Does your happiness come from achieving big goals – like landing a promotion, publishing an article, or successfully completing a project?

    Of course, these milestones do bring joy and should be celebrated.

    But what if happiness is also something simpler? Something smaller?

    Perhaps your happiness comes from a cup of coffee, an inspiring song on Spotify, or a meaningful conversation with a friend?

    Perhaps it’s a day with no commitments – or a day filled and overflowing with activities you love.  

    Courtney Carver, minimalist and author of Soulful Simplicity encourage us to listen to our hearts. She recommends we try this: Place your hand on your heart, close your eyes, and ask yourself, “What does my heart want?”

    If you can’t hear your heart, listen a little longer.  Listen later today. Listen tomorrow. Listen to what your soul wants.

    Pay attention to what really makes you happy. Not what you think will make you happy. What actually makes you happy.

    When we understand what makes us happy, when we truly pay attention, we can fill our lives with more of these experiences – big and small, lofty and mundane.

    And if we really pay attention, we might discover happiness all around us.

    Finding Joy in the Everyday: Embracing Small Moments of Happiness

  • Building A Strong Writing Practice: Does It All Start with Reading?

    Like many faculty, I love teaching and learning. As lifelong learners, our hearts and minds often yearn for time to think. To read. To write.

    We long for a leisurely afternoon to explore new ideas – time to finally pick up one of the books on the edge of our desk that we pre-ordered on Amazon, waited months to receive, and then set aside because life got in the way.  Between emails, class preparation, and grading papers, those books often remain untouched after just a chapter or two.

    We know that reading sparks inspiration, leading to new ideas. And those ideas can be transformed into writing, which can evolve into research articles. Or thought pieces. Or LinkedIn posts that inspire our colleagues.

    So, how do you prioritize reading – when there is so much else to do?

    And what books do you have in your stack?

    I have several books on my desk – some are halfway read, while others still have their spines unbroken:

    • Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters, by Laura Vanderkam
    • A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker J. Palmer
    • Sentipensante Pedagogy: Educating for Wholeness, Social Justice, and Liberation, by Laura Rendon
    • Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes, by Flower Darby (with James M. Lang)
    • The Great Upheaval: Higher Education’s Past, Present and Uncertain Future, by Arthur Levine and Scott Van Pelt.

    I’ve opened most of these books. Explored a few chapters. Underlined quotes that made me stop and think and consider my teaching practice. I’ve posted about the key ideas and imagined a world in which we integrate learning science and social intelligence and our own self-awareness into our teaching practice. I’ve taught about these ideas and longed to read, well, the rest of the book!

    So, here’s the question I’m contemplating: Does a strong writing practice begin with a strong reading practice?

    And if so, is it time to create an online Reading Circle where faculty can join together to create space (and accountability) to dive into these books that we want to read?

    Who wants to join me?

    Building A Strong Writing Practice: Does It All Start with Reading?

  • Elevate Learning: Create Powerful + Uplifting Classroom Discussions

    Discussions are an important part of transformational learning. Together, we can learn more. But all too often, discussions (especially in online learning), become dry and transactional.

    In Dr. Catherine Denial’s new book, A Pedagogy of Kindness, she reminds us that we can create and facilitate authentic, invigorating discussions – about topics we love.

    “I worked at discussion questions until they gained enough speed to lift us off the ground, generating conversations about topics I love,” Denial (2024, p. 4) writes.

    And why not? Why not have conversations about things that matter? To all of us.

    I learned early on in my career that if I was bored, my students likely were, too.

    So, let’s make a commitment this year to ensure our discussions, and other assignments, are the type that “lift us off the ground” (Denial, 2024, p. 4).

    Last spring, I taught an oral and digital communications course in which my doctoral students and I explored together the ways we can share our leadership stories, lead others in our organizations and communities, and amplify the voices and causes we believe in.

    My students experimented with Canva, Pecha Kucha presentations, LinkedIn posts, QR codes, Instagram stories, and websites. They got creative and we had a lot of fun, all while learning how to tell powerful leadership stories that have the potential to drive positive change in our world. Their creativity was truly impressive.

    And yes, their creativity and powerful commitment to social justice and lifting people up also lifted us all up.

    So, tell me, what conversations can you have in your classes, that will “lift us off the ground?”

    Elevate Learning: Create Powerful + Uplifting Classroom Discussions

  • It’s time to recognize and value the essential contributions of adjunct faculty.


    To all fellow higher ed leaders:

    As you are launching the academic year, here’s a friendly reminder of one of the best ways to value and honour your adjunct faculty:

    Process their contracts BEFORE you expect them to do any work.

    • Before you ask them to send you a syllabus.
    • Before you ask them to prepare their courses in your Learning Management System.
    • Before you request that they reach out to incoming students to welcome them to their class.
    • Before you ask them to participate in a faculty meeting.

    Commit to them, BEFORE you ask them to complete any work.

    Commit to them, because they are committed to you, your university, your students.

    Yes, I know — there are SO many contracts, and after all, some of the courses have low enrollment and may not run, as planned.

    If you need to wait on a couple contracts, you can delay those, but for most class sections, there is no reason to delay.

    Not when it means keeping most of your faculty in limbo.

    Commit to your faculty.

    Treat them how you would like to be treated (You probably really like knowing when and how much you’ll be paid, am I right?)

    Together, let’s create a Happier Higher Ed.

    It’s time to recognize and value the essential contributions of adjunct faculty.

  • Want to remember why you love teaching? Read Catherine Denial’s A Pedagogy of Kindness

    Today, I dove into Catherine Denial’s new book, A Pedagogy of Kindness, and by the time I reached the end of the first page, I was already making notes. Denial’s words struck a chord deep within me – finally, someone has articulated the hope I also have to create higher ed environments less immersed in politics, “individualism, competition, prestige, and distrust” (Denial, 2024, p. i).

    Denial (2024) calls for a different kind of higher education environment, the kind of higher education environment I’m on a quest to nurture and lead through the Happier in Higher Ed community.

    Imagine a community where we uplift each other, grapple with tough questions, and inspire deeper thinking. Imagine building a vibrant community of scholars, where students and educators alike flourish. Where we support each other, ask tough questions, challenge each other to think more deeply, and create authentic learning experiences and spaces where students can thrive. Where we trust each other, listen to each other, and support each other, even as we push boundaries as scholars and thinkers, grow together, and thrive.

    The problems of the world are too vast and troubling for us to remain mired in competition and politics.

    Denial (2024) reminds us that kindness involves truth and bravery, just as much as it involves compassion. “Here’s what a pedagogy of kindness most definitely is: It’s about attending to justice, believing people, and believing in people” (Denial, 2024, p. 2).

    Too often, we think that kindness is the opposite of rigor. Or challenge. Or deep learning. We worry that demonstrating kindness means people will walk all over us. Or won’t listen to us. Or won’t learn what they need to learn.

    But, as Denial (2024) writes, “Here’s what a pedagogy of kindness is not: It’s not about sacrificing ourselves and our well-being. It’s not about taking on more emotional labor (at least, not unless you are someone who is rarely called on to do any emotional labor at all). It’s not about complicating teaching even further. It’s about reorienting ourselves to a new way of thinking so that it strips away much of the burdensome work we’ve been imposing on ourselves for so long” (p. 2).

    I can’t wait to read the rest of this book — it’s truly inspiring!

    Want to join me?

    Want to remember why you love teaching? Read Catherine Denial’s A Pedagogy of Kindness

  • I’m still speaking: The urgent need to keep making room for women’s voices to shine

    Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the power of our voices – how standing up and speaking out can resonate deeply when we trust our instincts and follow our hearts.  

    And I’ve wondered, how can we, as women leaders, make our voices heard effectively in a world that often overlooks or silences us? In a landscape where grown adults in powerful positions still feel entitled to ignore our voices and or make fun of our laughter?  (A shoutout to Vice President Kamala Harris who boldly uses her voice to speak – and to laugh.)

    Jessica Doyle-Mekkes reminds us that when we speak up, we’re not just advocating for ourselves, but for our communities, for future generations, and for our daughters.

    As Doyle-Mekkes writes, your voice becomes powerful when you “Speak with authenticity. Speak up when you see someone wronged. And speak for yourself.”

    I owe a debt, every day, to the fearless and brave women who spoke up so I now have a place in academia and leadership. Those who said what needed to be said so grown adults in powerful positions now also include powerful women.

    Regardless of our politics, let’s create spaces where women’s voices are heard and valued. Where disregarding half the world’s population is no longer acceptable. Where we genuinely listen to others – even when their ideas differ from our own.

    As Doyle Mekkes says…

    I’m still speaking.

    I’m still speaking: The urgent need to keep making room for women’s voices to shine

  • 3 Essentials for Authentic Teaching and Learning

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    3 Essentials for Authentic Teaching and Learning

  • Learning is always personal. That’s the heart of education.

    This. “No student acquires knowledge in the abstract; learning is always personal. Furthermore, learning never takes place in a vacuum; it is always contextual” (Style, 1988).

    When we walk in or log on to our classrooms, we are entering the lives of other humans, with their joys and pains and struggles and victories.

    And, as faculty, we enter that same classroom with our own joys and pains and struggles and victories.

    All teaching and learning is personal.

    Perhaps that’s the best thing about it.

    Learning is always personal. That’s the heart of education.

  • Unlocking 7 Reasons to Embrace Remote Work for Your Team

    Increase innovation, productivity, and wellness through remote work.

    I’ve heard all the myths about remote work. Managers will lose control of their teams and projects. Employees won’t be as productive. Teams will be disconnected and isolated. Communication will be too difficult. We’ll lose out on the sense of community we have in the office.

    But what managers often seem to overlook is that quality teams are made up of quality employees.

    And those employees?

    Well, you can trust them wherever they are.

    They’re good communicators and already know how to communicate by phone, video, and email. They’re innovative and creative and hardworking and focused. Wherever they are. And if you’re a strong leader, you can create a sense of community and team, wherever you are.

    1. Your rockstar employees will be productive anywhere. The people you lead who are motivated and excited by their work, those employees who are reliable and creative and collaborative, will be focused, motivated, and innovative — wherever they work, and whether or not you’re watching. In fact, a review of studies on remote work, reveals that  employees who work remotely are 35% – 40% more productive than those working in an office (Farrer, 2020).
    2. Slacker employees can slack in an office just as easily as they slack at home. Sure, they may not be taking a nap if they’re in the office, but just because they’re sitting at a computer doesn’t mean they’re working, either.  Instead of penalizing everyone because a couple employees need constant oversight, help the slackers develop focus — and give the rockstars freedom to work when and where they want.
    3. Just because we’re in the same building or on the same campus doesn’t mean we connect authentically — or frequently. With Zoom, we can now connect face-to-face regularly, whether we’re in a different building on campus or a different state. And often, even when we’re on the same campus, our meeting schedules or individual work means we don’t connect regularly. So, why drive across town to sit in an office by ourselves?
    4. Gossip is harder to engage in when it requires a phone call. When employees are distributed across the city (or across the country), it takes a lot more effort to engage in gossip. If you’re upset about something that just happened in the meeting, you have to pick up the phone or schedule a time to meet, and often, by the time you do connect, emotions have simmered down, and the conflict doesn’t seem to matter so much. Gossiping seems like a waste of time – and simply too much effort. Instead, your team members are more likely to simply grumble a bit, and then move on with their day, focused on the work that matters, not the gossip mill.
    5. The wellness gains of working from home not only benefit employees – but employers, too. When your team members are well-rested, have time for exercise and childcare, and live a less rushed life, they are better able to focus on their work. They have more time for deep work, and more time for creative thinking.  And if you give them a flexible schedule, they may just knock it out of the park more efficiently so they can squeeze in an exercise class as well. Research shows benefits to workers’ wellness, including “no commuting, reduced distraction, work-life balance and increased flexibility, creativity, and motivation.” (Kowalski et al., 2022).
    6. Working from home can increase focus.  Although our homes include many distractions (the fridge, Netflix, our kids, anyone?), studies have found that those who work from home are often more focused. They can avoid what Proffitt (2023) labels “presenteeism – their boss watching their every move or colleagues interrupting them when they’re trying to focus.”
    7. Creating connected teams doesn’t happen by accident – wherever you are. Just because you’re on campus doesn’t mean your team members connect with each other. While serendipitous conversations happen (online or in person), leaders of remote teams can do so much to create connections between team members – and they should. Providing space in meetings to share challenges and celebrations can be a powerful way to connect. Asking people how their day is going, how their family is, or following up on something they shared previously can go a long way to connecting people. And, Farrer (2020) notes that remote workers are actually more engaged – and less likely to be absent from work, with absenteeism up to 41% lower for remote workers.

    I transitioned to working remotely before the pandemic, and I’ve experienced all the benefits listed above. I work hard (and a lot!). I’m productive and creative and focused. But I also enjoy yoga, more time to cook, decreased conflict between work and life responsibilities, and (bonus!) healthy lunches.

    I hope you’ll join me for the next part of this 3-part series as I share a bit about my own personal work-from-home journey.

    Sources:

    Farrer, L. (2020). 5 proven benefits of remote work for companies. Forbew. https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurelfarrer/2020/02/12/top-5-benefits-of-remote-work-for-companies/?sh=4912cd9c16c8

    Kowalski, G., &  Slebarska, K. (2022). Remote working and work effectiveness: A leader perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health, 19(22). doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215326

    Proffitt, K. (2023). Benefits of remote work for both employees and employers. HR Morning.  https://www.hrmorning.com/articles/benefits-of-remote-work-for-employees-employers/

    Unlocking 7 Reasons to Embrace Remote Work for Your Team

  • Why Higher Ed Leaders Fear Remote Work: Dispelling Myths to Retain Our Talented Teams

    Since the pandemic, I’ve read so many articles about the work-from-home vs. bring-everyone-back-to-the-office debate. A lot of the arguments center around productivity, perceptions (and sometimes myths) about the effectiveness of in-person oversight of employees, and beliefs about the value of serendipitous connections that happen when we are all in the same building (or on the same campus).

    Yes, in some situations, we absolutely must be on campus to connect with the students who are on campus. But in many cases, we have so much flexibility — if we’re willing, as leaders, to consider and create new systems — so everyone can thrive!

    In higher education, we’re witnessing a loss of talented, skilled, creative, and committed employees – because too many institutions insist on a “bring-everyone-back-to-the office” stance. We’re losing talented individuals. Every day.

    Academic advisors, librarians, academic leaders, instructional designers, directors, faculty, and deans have realized they can work remotely for online universities, for the same (or better!) pay. They’ve traded in long commutes and rigid schedules for no commuting costs and the flexibility to pick their sick child up at school when needed. Others have discovered that their educational expertise and skillsets translate seamlessly to corporate roles or consulting opportunities, where the compensation aligns better with their level of expertise and education.

    They’re leaving higher ed. And with them, they’re taking their institutional knowledge, expertise, resiliency (they survived the pandemic with you!), innovation, and their passion for higher education.

    It’s time to rethink our work systems and explore new approaches to how we work together.

    I hope you’ll join me for a 3-part series:

    Unlocking Productivity and Wellness in Higher Ed: Surprising Benefits of Remote Work

    I’ll explore the myths surrounding remote work, share my personal journey to remote work, and discuss strategies for creating work systems where everyone can thrive.

    Why Higher Ed Leaders Fear Remote Work: Dispelling Myths to Retain Our Talented Teams

  • Finding Joy in the Everyday: Embracing Small Moments of Happiness

    What small moments of happiness have you experienced today? In Tranquility by Tuesday, Laura Vanderkam reminds us that small moments of happiness can significantly enhance our overall happiness. “When we think about ‘joy’ and ‘happiness’” she writes, “we often think about whether the big pieces of a good life are in place: the prestigious job,…

  • Building A Strong Writing Practice: Does It All Start with Reading?

    Like many faculty, I love teaching and learning. As lifelong learners, our hearts and minds often yearn for time to think. To read. To write. We long for a leisurely afternoon to explore new ideas – time to finally pick up one of the books on the edge of our desk that we pre-ordered on…

  • Elevate Learning: Create Powerful + Uplifting Classroom Discussions

    Discussions are an important part of transformational learning. Together, we can learn more. But all too often, discussions (especially in online learning), become dry and transactional. In Dr. Catherine Denial’s new book, A Pedagogy of Kindness, she reminds us that we can create and facilitate authentic, invigorating discussions – about topics we love. “I worked…

  • It’s time to recognize and value the essential contributions of adjunct faculty.

    To all fellow higher ed leaders: As you are launching the academic year, here’s a friendly reminder of one of the best ways to value and honour your adjunct faculty: Process their contracts BEFORE you expect them to do any work. Commit to them, BEFORE you ask them to complete any work. Commit to them,…

  • Want to remember why you love teaching? Read Catherine Denial’s A Pedagogy of Kindness

    Today, I dove into Catherine Denial’s new book, A Pedagogy of Kindness, and by the time I reached the end of the first page, I was already making notes. Denial’s words struck a chord deep within me – finally, someone has articulated the hope I also have to create higher ed environments less immersed in…

  • I’m still speaking: The urgent need to keep making room for women’s voices to shine

    Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the power of our voices – how standing up and speaking out can resonate deeply when we trust our instincts and follow our hearts.   And I’ve wondered, how can we, as women leaders, make our voices heard effectively in a world that often overlooks or silences us? In a…