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THREE in 30
The Case for Curiosity
Dr. Jeannie Kim on Thinking Beyond the Status Quo
Episode 18 | August 2026
Three Conversation Topics:
- Change Management in Higher Education
- Redesigning Student Pathways
- Reframing the ROI Conversation
Summary
Why is meaningful change so difficult in higher education? In this episode of Three in 30, Dr. Jeannie Kim explores the organizational habits and leadership mindsets that keep institutions anchored to the status quo, and why enrollment teams often experience those pressures first. Drawing on her research in organizational change management, she explains how curiosity can become a catalyst for better decision-making, healthier institutional cultures, and more effective leadership. She also challenges leaders to rethink how they define ROI, arguing that success should ultimately be measured by graduates' ability to build sustainable careers, and not simply by graduation rates. Dr. Kim closes with practical advice for current and future leaders on cultivating curiosity, embracing change, and continuing to grow.
TOPICS: Presidential Leadership
Key Moments in This Episode
Topic 1 | Change Management in Higher Education
[01:16] Why Institutions Resist Change
Dr. Kim explains that change is uncomfortable at every level, from individuals to institutions, and that higher education is culturally built to protect the status quo. She describes how AI and financial pressure are forcing faster change than most institutions are used to.
[09:27] Why Enrollment Feels Change First
Dr. Kim discusses why enrollment and admissions offices absorb the earliest waves of institutional change, since enrollment funds every other part of the organization. She argues frontline enrollment staff need better tools and support given the pressure they carry.
Topic 2 | Redesigning Student Pathways
[14:40] Rethinking the Student Journey
Dr. Kim describes how current education pathways push career decisions onto students far too early, often before adolescents are developmentally ready to make them. She calls for more flexible on-ramps and off-ramps throughout a student's education.
[22:21] Building Curiosity Back Into Education
Dr. Kim explains why curiosity fades as children move through school and argues that rebuilding curiosity, along with room to play and fail safely, should be a foundational goal of education at every level.
Topic 3 | Reframing the ROI Conversation
[24:39] Talking About Outcomes Instead of ROI
Dr. Kim addresses the discomfort many educators feel with business language like return on investment (ROI) and suggests reframing the conversation around outcomes and impact instead. She notes that institutional leaders already manage enormous budgets and think about value the same way businesses do.
[28:15] Measuring Success Years After Graduation
Dr. Kim argues that institutions should track graduate career success for years after they leave, not just whether they found a job soon after graduation. She says the real measure of ROI is whether students go on to build sustainable, meaningful careers.
Bonus | Rapid-Fire Advice
[31:51] Three Pieces of Advice for Future Leaders
Dr. Kim shares her three pieces of advice for current and future higher education leaders: stay curious, never stop learning, and build a strong network.
Check out more resources to improve your enrollment management strategy.
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Featuring
Todd Abbott
Vice President, Business Development, Liaison
Todd Abbott is a higher education leader with 28 years of experience. As a Vice President at Liaison, he partners with colleges and universities to strengthen their enrollment operations and achieve their strategic goals. His expertise spans enrollment, marketing, and student retention, including leadership roles on campus and in the edtech industry. A former Dean of Enrollment, Todd champions data-informed strategies that prioritize student success and institutional growth.
Jeannie Kim, Ph.D.
Past President, Santiago Canyon College
Jeannie G. Kim, Ph.D., became President of Santiago Canyon College in January 2023. With over 37 years in higher education, she is a champion for equity, access, and student success, focusing on dismantling barriers for underserved communities. She has held key leadership roles in public and private institutions, including UC, CSU, and community colleges. An expert in strategic planning, change management, organizational development, and high-impact practices, Dr. Kim is also a global keynote speaker on education and innovation. Her work has shaped policy at state and federal levels and includes advisory roles with Stanford Research Institute’s Innovation 4 Jobs (I4J) Think Tank, Education Advisory Board’s student success platform, CenturyTech, Inc - AI supported personalized learning platform now in 80+ countries, and GainX Global. Dr. Kim has a deeper understanding of the tech world having studied machine learning for application in her tech start-up in 2015 and as part of her doctoral work at Claremont Graduate University where she earned her Ph.D. in Education Policy, Evaluation, and Reform. Dr. Kim is an applied cultural anthropologist with degrees from UCLA (BA) and California State University, Fullerton (MA). An immigrant from South Korea and a survivor of both personal trauma and cancer, she brings resilience, vision, and a deeply human perspective to institutional transformation. Currently, her work centers on advancing education through human-centered artificial intelligence, ensuring that innovation is always in service of people, equity, and community.
Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the participants of 'Three in 30' are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Liaison.