Audacious Ideas with Dr. Lillian Schumacher: How leaders drive outcomes in complex environments

Innovation comes from disciplined decision-making and a willingness to challenge established thinking.

Across higher education, industry, and policy, leaders are working toward many of the same outcomes, often without alignment. That gap slows progress and limits impact.

On this podcast, Dr. Lillian Schumacher, President of Tiffin University, speaks with leaders across sectors about how they make decisions, set priorities, and build momentum in complex environments.

Each conversation focuses on practical insights, how ideas translate into action, and how leadership choices shape results.

These discussions are designed for leaders navigating change and working to drive meaningful outcomes in their organizations.

Contributors

Host

Dr. Lillian Schumacher

Dr. Lillian Schumacher is President of Tiffin University and a leader focused on aligning strategy, innovation, and outcomes in a rapidly changing world. With more than 38 years of experience across higher education and corporate environments, she is known for leading institutional transformation through disciplined decision-making and a clear focus on results.

Her leadership is grounded in a core belief: the greatest threat facing higher education is not declining enrollment, but declining nerve. At Tiffin, she has advanced a model of growth tied directly to student outcomes, workforce relevance, and long-term sustainability.

Dr. Schumacher writes and speaks on leadership, innovation, and how organizations navigate complexity to deliver meaningful impact.

Guests

Guest

Dr. Joe Sallustio

Dr. Joe Sallustio serves as chief of industry engagement at Ellucian, connecting institutional leaders with strategies and innovations to navigate higher education's most pressing challenges.

Over 25 years, Joe has led enrollment, marketing, financial operations, and student services across non-profit and for-profit institutions.

As co-founder and host of The EdUp Experience Podcast, Joe has interviewed over 500+ college and university presidents and over 1,400 higher education leaders.

Joe's book, Beyond Survival: Reporting From The Front Lines Of Higher Education's War For Relevance, was released in August of 2026. He is the co-author of Digital Transformation for Colleges and Universities: How Governing Boards Shape Strategy for Success, and Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education.

Joe earned an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from National University.

https://joesallustio.com/

Guest appearance on:

Dr. Joe Sallustio: Relevance – Regain It, Restore It, Own It