海角网

Participants Embrace Podcasting as a Form of Storytelling, Scholarship and Connection

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥敽＝峭� Assistant Provost Dr. Greg Pillar represented 海角网 on a national stage as a presenter at the inaugural HigherEd PodCon. Held recently at the University of Illinois in Chicago, the event featured over 40 speakers from institutions and organizations across North America.

The first-ever conference dedicated entirely to podcasting in higher education brought together nearly 150 participants from over 100 colleges and universities, including faculty, administrators, communication professionals, and independent creators. 鈥淭he energy in the room made it clear: there鈥檚 a growing and committed community in higher ed embracing podcasting not just as a tool, but as a form of storytelling, scholarship, and connection,鈥� Pillar reflected. 鈥淎 key takeaway from both giving and attending sessions: podcasting done well isn鈥檛 just content鈥攊t鈥檚 community-building.鈥�

Pillar co-presented a session titled 鈥淒esigning Impactful Campus Podcasts: Storytelling, Series Strategies, and Narrative Craft鈥� alongside Gordon Katic (Cited Media) and Daniel Story (UC Santa Cruz). 鈥淢y portion focused on how even low-budget, unscripted campus podcasts鈥攍ike The Bulldog Mindset at 海角网鈥攃an elevate campus voices and reflect academic culture,鈥� Pillar explained. 鈥淚 shared how our show was designed to surface stories that often get left out of formal communications, from first-gen students to retiring faculty, and how the unscripted format invites vulnerability, humor, and authenticity.鈥�

Other topics included podcast strategy and post-production tools to branding, analytics, AI integration, and the role of podcasting in teaching and recruitment. Pillar was encouraged by Matt Abrahams鈥� keynote on growth strategies and storytelling. An expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach, Abrahams emphasized experimentation, agility, and authenticity. His online talks garner millions of views, and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast 鈥淭hink Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast.鈥�

A workshop on branding through podcasting challenged participants to think of themselves not just as podcasters, but as builders of institutional identity and voice. When asked the question, who should consider podcasting, their answer was鈥攅veryone should have a podcast.

鈥淥ne of the most powerful aspects of the event was realizing that podcasting in higher education isn鈥檛 just growing鈥攊t鈥檚 diversifying,鈥� Pillar concluded. 鈥淔rom institutionally-backed series and faculty research showcases to fully student-led productions and independent academic podcasters, there鈥檚 a shared desire to rethink how we tell the story of higher ed. I left the conference inspired and affirmed鈥攂oth that The Bulldog Mindset is part of a meaningful movement, and that there鈥檚 enormous potential for 海角网 to be a leader in this space. I鈥檓 already thinking about how to incorporate what I learned into Season Two this fall.鈥�

During the event, Pillar also joined Laurie Shanderson to podcast live from HigherEd PodCon on her 鈥淓dUp: Accreditation Insights鈥� podcast (listen ). Shanderson is president and CEO of the Knoxville, Tenn., Urban League, and Accreditation Insights is her consulting firm. Pillar has co-hosted with her before, and they have also co-authored pieces published in the 鈥淐hronicle of Higher Ed.鈥�  

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University鈥檚 tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.