In this episode of Higher Ed Happy Place, host Kris McPeak addresses the audience with an apology for not maintaining the podcast as intended. McPeak, with over 30 years of experience in higher education, reflects on the changes in the sector, particularly the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift towards technology and remote work. Although still passionate about higher education, McPeak expresses disillusionment with current trends and the feeling of loss of faith in the system. The episode announces a shift in the podcast's direction, aiming to discuss and critique issues in modern college campuses, while seeking solutions. This change includes plans for a new show concept, format, and possibly a new title, signaling an intent to address the 'atrocities of our times' in higher education. This is billed as the last episode under the 'Higher Ed Happy Place' title.

00:00 Welcome Back & An Apology

00:21 A Journey Through Higher Education

00:56 Questioning the Passion for Higher Ed

02:10 The Changing Landscape of Higher Education

02:40 The Impact of COVID-19 on Education

03:29 Personal Reflections and Future Directions

04:18 A New Vision for the Podcast

06:16 Signing Off and Looking Forward

Well - I guess I got a little TOO excited about that Winter Break thing because I had all these plans and ideas and goals...and it all went to hell.

I was for sure not in a Higher Ed Happy Place - nor really any happy place, I guess.

And for sure, this stuff happens.  Particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, menopause, and leadership changes at your institution, among other things.  Sometimes it's just too much, and because you haven't taken good care of yourself, you begin to shut down.  

Don't get me wrong - I am still very committed to my job and my institution...and I still consider myself working in my dream job and for my dream supervisor.  But I needed to have a serious reboot and work on my priorities. 

That's what this episode is about.  And hopefully a journey back to really focusing on what I consider my Happy Place to really be.  

OH - MY - GOD!  I look forward to this time of year SO MUCH that it's a non-negotiable for any higher ed job that I've ever taken - if you don't close for the time between fall and spring semesters, I'm NOT fucking working here!!!

So here we are - it's after Christmas (because that's what I celebrate) and not quite New Year's yet, but there's time off and I have some thinking and reflecting to do.  There's the standard Winter Break Project at my house, there's the reflecting on the previous year, and most importantly - there is the process of coming up with my goals and wishes for the next year, what I've borrowed from Gretchen Rubin as "23 Things for 2023."  In past years, it's "18 Things for 2018" and so forth...and someday the years will be too big for a reasonable list of goals, LOL.  But for now, I can still live with 23 things.  And I am SO excited to talk about it!

This episode is just a short kick-off...I'm going to get into more detail as the break goes on AND I plan to host a webinar and challenge to help all of y'all come up with your own lists.  So stay tuned!  This is just the beginning!!!

First of all - THANKS to everyone who has downloaded the show so far, shared it with your friends, and left a rating and review!  I'm SO grateful to you for embracing this little labor of love (and a little bit of ranting) that I've got going on.

Next Up - Get the PERFECT companion piece for this show - Your Higher Ed Happy Place Daily Journal.  It's less than ten bucks and will help you find more happiness in this amazing calling that you've answered!

NOW - today's episode! 

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving Weekend!  Mine would up being quite interesting...

For the first time in about ten years, my hubby actually wanted to make the saltine cracker stuffing for our turkey.  This is a family recipe from my father's side but the hubby never really liked it.  And, of course, that meant I had no idea where the recipe was.  So, that meant it was time to dig around some of the possible nooks and crannies where it might be hiding.  

I struck out with the "normal" places, such as other cookbooks - and then figured it HAD to be somewhere in the various "memory lane" boxes that I kept in the bedroom (reminding me again that I really need a big weekend to create some fun shadow boxes or scrapbooks for this stuff).

I was so positively overwhelmed while digging through these various boxes...and got into a little bit of trouble with the hubby when the stuffing recipe did not materialize (which led to a very last-minute trip to the store and some sub-par stuffing).  As we did not have any other guests, I decided that I could live with that!

For the rest of my discoveries, you'll just have to listen...but I'll just reinforce what I've always said before - this higher ed gig is totally a calling.  And I feel very grateful that this calling came my way.  

Are there topics you want me to cover on this show?  I'd love to hear about them!  Send an email to info@krismcpeak.com and let me know what's on your mind!!

First of all - THANKS to everyone who has downloaded the show so far, shared it with your friends, and left a rating and review!  I'm SO grateful to you for embracing this little labor of love (and a little bit of ranting) that I've got going on.

Next Up - Get the PERFECT companion piece for this show - Your Higher Ed Happy Place Daily Journal.  It's less than ten bucks and will help you find more happiness in this amazing calling that you've answered!

NOW - today's episode! 

I've worked at 9 different colleges in 7 different states - and all of the differences in the various employee benefits can just make your head swim.  It can be very overwhelming if you're not paying attention.  So in this week's episode, I'm running through some stuff to keep in mind when you are learning about your benefits - and even some things to reconsider looking into after you've been with an employer for a while.  I share a couple big lessons that I have learned when I haven't been paying attention and what it cost me.  

Do you have any topics you'd like to hear on the show?  Email me at info@krismcpeak.com and let me know what's on your mind!!!

First of all - THANKS to everyone who has downloaded the show so far, shared it with your friends, and left a rating and review!  I'm SO grateful to you for embracing this little labor of love (and a little bit of ranting) that I've got going on.

Next Up - Get the PERFECT companion piece for this show - Your Higher Ed Happy Place Daily Journal.  It's less than ten bucks and will help you find more happiness in this amazing calling that you've answered!

NOW - today's episode!  I recently worked on a very new project for me - something I've never dipped my toes in before.  And while the experience was great and I learned a great deal, I found myself on the potential verge of feeling burned out.  And it was really screwing with my head.  "Admitting you have a problem is the first step," LOL, so I isolated the feelings I was having and acted on them - thus, you get to learn the four things I did in order to avoid burnout and move on.  And I'm so glad that I did.  The result of this shift (or, as Hawk from Cobra Kai would say, "flipping the script") was a successful project all around and a trip for margaritas with my supervisor.  HELLS YES!!!

I referenced a previous episode in today's show, so here's the link to review that one:  When Was the Last Time You Met With Your Supervisor?

Do you have any ideas or suggestions for HEHP topics or questions?  Please feel free to email me at info@krismcpeak.com and let me know what you're thinking about!!!

First of all - THANKS to everyone who has downloaded the show so far, shared it with your friends, and left a rating and review!  I'm SO grateful to you for embracing this little labor of love (and a little bit of ranting) that I've got going on.

Next Up - Get the PERFECT companion piece for this show - Your Higher Ed Happy Place Daily Journal.  It's less than ten bucks and will help you find more happiness in this amazing calling that you've answered!

NOW - time for this week's episode!

I'm a BIG fan of Mel Robbins and have really gobbled up ALL of her Audible Originals.  My most recent favorite Mel thing is "Here's Exactly What To Do," and it's a podcast on Audible.  One of the episodes really struck a chord for me, and I talk about that in today's episode.

Whether or not you have kids or have had to be around kids, you might already know the concept of parenting yourself, but I think we have a responsibility to do this, even more, when we work in higher education.  So sit back and take it all in - and let me know if you want to chat more about this issue.  Shoot me an email at info@krismcpeak.com.  Let's connect!!!

HEY - Before digging deep into the episode, you've got to get the PERFECT companion piece for this show - Your Higher Ed Happy Place Daily Journal.  It's less than ten bucks and will help you find more happiness in this amazing calling that you've answered!

This week I'm gearing up to attend my 10th CASE Conference for Community Colleges.  CASE is my professional organization:  Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.  I've been attending this conference since I started my advancement gig, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  I'm particularly excited about this year's conference because I was offered the role of Planning Committee Chairperson - AND it's the first in-person event we've had in THREE years.  

But I've been attending conferences as professional development since I was a student.  From my very first RA conference in...um...1988 to the conference I'm attending next week, I've probably been to more than 50 of these professional development events over the years.  I for sure have a do's-and-don'ts list of best practices and I'll share some of those in today's episode.

But this is not the last time we are discussing professional development on this show.  While I do love me some conferences, they are not the only way to receive professional development.  So stay tuned for that!!  It's going to be a great conversation!!!