Small College America
Small College America
Podcast Description
During Season One, Tom Davidsson and Dean Hoke are going to talk with four Small College Presidents across the United States about their institutions and what makes them unique and important to their communities. Also, they will discuss their challenges and their views for the future.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show explores the unique characteristics and challenges of small colleges. Key topics include institutional history, community involvement, athletic programs, and leadership lessons. For example, episodes feature discussions on Cottey College's international student programs and the sustainability of small colleges like the University of Rio Grande.
Small College America is a podcast series that presents critical discussions at the forefront by interviewing small college higher education leaders, policy experts, and innovators. The podcast will delve into the evolving role of small colleges, their economic impact, innovative strategies for sustainability, and how they can continue to provide a highly personalized educational experience. The series is co-hosted by Dean Hoke, Co-Founder of Edu Alliance Group and a Senior Fellow with the Sagamore Institute, and Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy & Innovation and Vice President of Enrollment & Communication for Augustana College.
In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Marco J. Clark, President of Holy Cross College, a private, co-educational, liberal arts college located on a 70-acre wooded campus in South Bend, Indiana. With over three decades in Catholic education, Dr. Clark has become a visionary leader committed to academic innovation and mission-centered growth. Since becoming president in 2022, he has guided Holy Cross through transformative change—most notably with the launch of its strategic plan With Eyes of Faith, a roadmap shaped by the campus community that emphasizes mission, academic excellence, and student transformation. Under his leadership, Holy Cross has achieved record enrollment, expanded academic offerings, and deepened its partnerships with Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s. We’re excited to talk with him about leading in uncertain times, his “partner or perish” philosophy, and the future of faith-based small colleges.
QUESTIONS
- Marco, let’s start with some background on Holy Cross College. Can you give us an overview of the institution and its evolution over the years?” Follow–up: For over twenty years, you served as a High School Principal in Maryland. What led you to Holy Cross?
- Let’s discuss your strategic plan with Eyes of Faith. Can you walk us through how Holy Cross conducted its strategic planning process and how that shaped your path forward?
- Holy Cross is experiencing notable growth in enrollment, facilities, and academic offerings. What key elements are driving this momentum, and how do you plan to sustain it?
- You’ve made faith formation a central theme of your leadership. How do you see the role of faith-based colleges evolving in today’s higher education landscape?
- You’ve said small colleges must “partner or perish.” Can you elaborate on what that means for you and how it has influenced Holy Cross’s strategy and collaborations?
- What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing small colleges today—and how can institutions like Holy Cross position themselves to meet those head-on?
If you’d like to learn more about Small College America, go to our LinkedIn site, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover.” Small College America receives underwriting support from Perspective Data Science, which develops cutting-edge AI tools and data solutions, including the Financial Compass
“For Small College America, I’m Dean Hoke, with Edu Alliance and a Senior Fellow with the Sagamore Institute, and on behalf of Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President of Augustana University, Marco Clark, and Dean Hoke. Thanks for joining us!”
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.