In this episode of Visionary Voices: The College President's Playbook, host Dr. Bryan Gross dives into a provocative conversation with President Nick Ladany and Dr. Heather Herrera, Vice President for Strategy and Innovation at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU). The episode unveils SFBU’s audacious approach to transforming higher education, centered around the creation of the Center for Empowerment and Pedagogical Innovation (CEPI)—an initiative dedicated to addressing a long-standing issue in academia: the lack of formal teaching training for faculty.
In this episode of Visionary Voices: The College President's Playbook, host Dr. Bryan Gross dives into a provocative conversation with President Nick Ladany and Dr. Heather Herrera, Vice President for Strategy and Innovation at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU). The episode unveils SFBU’s audacious approach to transforming higher education, centered around the creation of the Center for Empowerment and Pedagogical Innovation (CEPI)—an initiative dedicated to addressing a long-standing issue in academia: the lack of formal teaching training for faculty.
President Ladany openly challenges the traditional higher education model, where faculty often excel in their fields but lack the pedagogical skills necessary to truly engage and educate students. CEPI aims to disrupt this norm by equipping faculty with the tools and methodologies they need to be not just good, but great teachers. This bold move positions SFBU as a challenger in the higher education landscape, committed to redefining what it means to be an effective educator.
Dr. Herrera further explains SFBU’s six-pillars framework—academics, life literacy, wellness, relationships, financial support, and career mobility—that underpins the university’s holistic approach to student success. Throughout the conversation, President Ladany challenges higher education leaders to be fearless in their pursuit of innovation, urging them to confront outdated practices and embrace change.
This episode offers a candid and thought-provoking look at how SFBU is leading the charge in teaching faculty how to teach, setting a new standard for excellence in higher education.
Guest Names:
President Nick Ladany
Dr. Heather Herrera
Guest Socials:
President Nick Ladany - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-ladany/
Dr. Heather Herrera - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-herrera-phd-7b1b9bb1/
Guest Bios:
Nick Ladany, Ph.D., is the President of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) where he is leading higher education change in meaningful and substantive ways following more than 30 years of experience as a tenured professor and administrator at public and private, large and small comprehensive universities. He is also a contributor to Forbes on topics related to reimagining higher education. Previously he was President of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he led the university through the pandemic, facilitated record enrollments, enhanced fiscal stewardship, built a leadership team, strengthened a commitment to DEI, and enhanced student success and wellness. He also served as Dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and Associate Provost for Academic Outreach at the University of San Diego; and Dean of the School of Education and Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA. At both USD and SCU, he turned annual deficits into surpluses, grew enrollment, and grew innovative academic programs. Prior to that he was Director of the Counseling Program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA; and Chair of the Department of Education and Human Services and Program Coordinator & Director of Doctoral Training of the Counseling Psychology Program at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He received his Ph.D. from the University at Albany, State University of New York, in 1992 and his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has more than 80 publications, including 6 books, and has conducted over 250 national and international presentations in more than 20 countries in higher education leadership; and supervision and training of mental health practitioners.
Dr. Heather Herrera is a seasoned higher education leader with a strong background in academic affairs, accreditation, curriculum design, and student outcomes assessment. With expertise across diverse fields—ranging from teacher education to allied health and the arts—she has a proven track record in strategic planning and driving initiatives that enhance higher education access, diversity, and affordability.
Before joining SFBU, Dr. Herrera held key roles at the University of San Diego as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer and Assistant Dean of Assessment and Accreditation. She also served as Executive Director of Academic Affairs at NYU's Steinhardt School for nearly a decade.
Starting her career as an educator with over 20 years of experience teaching English composition, Dr. Herrera is deeply committed to supporting under-served students. A proud first-generation college graduate and San Francisco native, she earned her PhD in English Education from New York University.