Podcast Episode:
AAUA 2026 – John Comerford
In this episode, Dr. John Comerford, President of Otterbein University, joins host Matt Roche for a candid, forward-looking conversation about how institutions can reclaim the true value of higher education beyond rankings and prestige. Drawing on his student affairs roots and presidential experience, Comerford unpacks the ROI debate, making a compelling case for the breadth and adaptability of liberal arts degrees, especially in the social sciences and humanities. He details Otterbein’s innovative responses to rising costs and demographic pressures, including debt-free tuition for Pell-eligible students, the Otterbein Advantage Partnership that links employers, scholarships, and internships, and the Otterbein Ready program that embeds internships, professional development, and “adulting 101” into the student experience. Comerford also introduces the Coalition for the Common Good with Antioch University as a new model for collaborative adult education and shared services, and reflects on the dangers of elitism in higher ed and the leadership courage required to chart a different path. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring and current higher education leaders who are wrestling with enrollment cliffs, affordability, mission drift, and the challenge of building institutions that genuinely serve the common good.
Prefer to watch the conversation? View the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s0th6B9HIZw
