#218 Dr. Bridget Burns: Changing Higher Ed from Turf Wars to Teamwork — Part Two

Higher education often feels like a reality TV show—full of rivalries, dramatic eliminations, and schools fighting for the top spot. But what if universities actually worked together?

Enter Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast. From her small-town roots to becoming a driving force in educational reform, Bridget is on a mission to replace academic competition with collaboration. She’s tackling the “Higher Ed Hunger Games” head-on, working to boost graduation rates and open doors for low-income students—no cutthroat eliminations required.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

Who Actually Likes Change? Spoiler: No One

“Everyone who says they like change is a liar. You only like change that is your idea and that you actively participate in creating.”

30:07—Mending Hearts in the Office: When Leaders Turn into Heartbreakers

"There are a lot of people walking around with broken hearts because they’ve had a leader who’s betrayed them."

33:39—The AI Rat Race: Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

"This natural tendency to compete with each other. There’s like an arms race and that’s what’s happening with AI.”

38:41—From Cap and Gown to Capable and Grown: Reinventing the Grad-to-Gig Highway

"There should be coaches for faculty to embed career readiness into every single classroom, starting from the first class a student takes."

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Connect with Us:
Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Bridget Burns

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--**Chief Change Officer**--
Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.

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--Chief Change Officer--
Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.

Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence
for Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,
Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.

EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.
20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.
80+ Countries Reached Daily.
Global Top 1% Podcast.
Top 5 US Business.
Top 1 US Careers.

>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<