Media and Speaking

Dean Hoke is a leading voice in American higher education, bringing four decades of leadership experience to the critical conversations shaping the future of colleges and universities. As Managing Partner of Edu Alliance Group and a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute, Dean specializes in small college sustainability, institutional mergers, donor engagement, and the economic impact of rural colleges.

Through his podcast Small College America, his writing at Edu Alliance Journal, and his research on rural higher education, Dean champions the institutions and communities often overlooked in national higher education debates. His work bridges theory and practice—connecting data-driven analysis with the real stories of college leaders, students, and communities navigating unprecedented change.

Dean’s commentary and analysis have appeared in U.S. News & World Report, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Higher Education Digest, Al Fanar, and The EvoLLLution. He brings an international perspective from senior leadership roles in the United Arab Emirates, including positions at Khalifa University and Higher Colleges of Technology, and from his tenure as President and CEO of the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA).

Whether discussing college mergers and philanthropic integration, the future of small liberal arts colleges, or how rural communities thrive because of their local institutions, Dean offers informed, nuanced perspectives grounded in decades of hands-on experience across continents.

Dean is available for media interviews, podcast guest appearances, and speaking engagements.

RECENT MEDIA:

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

  • Small college sustainability and survival strategies
  • College mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations
  • Donor engagement and philanthropic integration
  • Economic and social impact of rural colleges
  • International higher education partnerships
  • Higher education leadership and governance
  • Middle East higher education landscape
  • Podcasting and Media

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

  • Why are small colleges closing, and which ones will survive?
  • What mistakes do colleges make when announcing mergers?
  • How do donors react when their alma mater merges with another institution?
  • What economic impact does a small college have on a rural community?
  • Is American higher education still the “gold standard” globally?
  • What did you learn working in Middle East higher education that applies to U.S. colleges?
  • What trends are you seeing in higher education that aren’t getting enough attention?

WHAT COLLEAGUES SAY:

“Dean is a champion for small colleges in the US. He is committed to celebrating their successes, highlighting their distinctions and reinforcing how important they are to the higher education ecosystem.”

“As a guest on Small College America, I experienced his thoughtful, mission-driven approach firsthand. Dean’s ability to connect people, ideas, and purpose is a true gift.”

“Dean is a passionate advocate for American higher education—especially small colleges—and consistently centers others in his work. Whether leading, writing, or podcasting, he makes things happen that serve both institutions and individuals.”

5. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Make it easy to find you: