The Next Class 2.0

In Part 2 of Succession Planning in The Next Class, Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey join governance expert Rich Barth to unpack how proactive succession planning strengthens Catholic school leadership and preserves mission continuity. 

Drawing on experience across military, tech, nonprofit, and Catholic education, Rich shares practical strategies for boards and their presidents to define roles, build trust, and prepare future leaders long before transitions occur. 

Listeners will gain actionable insights on stewardship-driven governance, communication, and leadership development—tools to help Catholic schools sustain strong, faithful leadership for generations. 

In Part 1 of Succession Planning, hosts Rob Birdsell and Dr. Erin Barisano welcome Amanda Livermore, Founding President of Cristo Rey Orlando, and Dave Mason, President of San Miguel Cristo Rey Tucson, to discuss why succession planning is vital to the long-term health of Catholic schools. 

The discussion highlights how Catholic schools prepare future leaders, document succession plans, and invest in leadership development across all levels. 

Rooted in Catholic leadership principles, the discussion underscores that succession planning safeguards mission over position. Through examples of both smooth and challenging transitions, the panel demonstrates how intentional planning builds trust, minimizes disruption, and sustains thriving Catholic schools for generations. 

This season‑ending episode brings together reflections on Catholic education’s future, the rise of school choice, and the urgent need for mission‑driven leadership. The hosts revisit standout conversations—from higher‑ed fragility to thriving models and succession planning—offering school leaders practical wisdom, renewed hope, and a compelling vision for the year ahead.

This inspiring episode highlights leadership lessons relevant to school leaders: add outrageous value, build unparalleled environments, and meet people where they are. Coach Gautrat emphasizes clear vision, extreme ownership, communication, and culture-building. He champions self-awareness, joy, coachability, and developing others. His leadership approach—rooted in humility, discipline, growth, and care—offers a strong blueprint for transforming school culture and inspiring teams.

The Future of Higher Education:  What Catholic School Leaders Need to Know  

Higher education is confronting major demographic and financial challenges. This is essential information for Catholic school leaders advising students on higher education.  Join President Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey in a compelling conversation with Peter Stokes, Managing Director at Huron Consulting Group on how shrinking birth rates, falling college enrollment rates, and oversupply are driving widespread higher ed closures that derail 75% of affected students. We will present innovative approaches to consider—three-year degrees, dual enrollment, and AI-driven support—that can redefine the value and stability of higher education for families and schools. 

Join Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano in an inspiring dialogue with Dr. Steve Cheeseman, President of NCEA. Dr. Cheeseman shares encouraging insights on the future of Catholic education, noting renewed hope and mission‑driven energy across schools nationwide. School communities are strengthening Catholic identity, embracing growth, and responding creatively to teacher and leader shortages. He highlights NCEA’s shift toward becoming a strategic partner through actionable data, leadership development, and operational vitality initiatives, including a new national data dashboard. Nationally, enrollment remains stable with growth in several regions, especially early grades. Cheeseman also emphasizes the importance of responsible technology and AI integration, ensuring students develop digital literacy while preserving the humanity at the heart of Catholic education.

Join this thought-provoking podcast as Erin Barisano talks with Catholic Education Services President Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey on the transformative power of Catholic school boards. They explore why today’s governance challenges demand spiritual grounding, intentional culture‑building, and true discernment—not business‑as‑usual decision‑making.

Learn what makes an effective board “apostolic,” how communication protocols strengthen the president–board relationship, and why cultivating a “thick,” mission‑driven culture leads to healthier schools and holier leadership. Packed with practical insights and inspiring stories, this conversation reframes board service as sacred work in service of the Church.

Join Rob Birdsell and Erin Barisano in this episode as they engage in a thought-provoking dialogue with John Reyes, Director of Research and Program Evaluation, and Angela Mitchell, Director of Leadership Formation Programs, both representing the Roche Center for Catholic Education.

This conversation explores critical themes shaping Catholic education today as reflected in Pope Leo’s recent Apostolic Letter "Drawing New Maps of Hope”. 

Join Rob Birdsell and Kent Hickey as they dive into a thought-provoking episode with Brandon Jacobs, Search Consultant at Carney, Sandoe & Associates, as they explore the ever-evolving landscape of leadership in private and Catholic schools.

From rethinking traditional roles and expectations to embracing the humanity and imperfections of school leaders, this conversation challenges administrators to think outside the box when it comes to preparation and training. Brandon also shares insights into the value of partnering with executive search firms to find the right leaders, highlighting how this approach can elevate the process beyond what schools might achieve on their own.

For show notes and the transcript, please visit catholicvirtual.com/the-next-class-2-0-season-6-episode-3/

In this episode, Dr. Erin Barisano and Rob Birdsell connect with Marco Clark to kick things off. The conversation explores what excites Marco most about college life and how he’s navigating this new chapter. Erin reflects on this transition from high school student body president to leadership in higher education, while also addressing the challenges facing colleges today. Rob shares thoughtful advice for young leaders and offers insight into the Holy Cross charism, explaining how it continues to resonate with students in 2025.

 

For show notes and the transcript, please visit catholicvirtual.com/the-next-class-2-0-season-6-episode-2/