Sept. 7, 2026

How Do You Take an Institution on Life Support & Make It Thrive? - with David A. Armstrong, President, St. Thomas University

Key Takeaways

David A. Armstrong explains how turnaround presidents can successfully take an institution on life support and make it thrive by truly knowing every person on campus and understanding their actual daily roles.
Teaching students how to think rather than what to think is crucial in modern higher education, especially when societal pressures push people to want pre-packaged answers.
Establishing clear ethical standards for the use of artificial intelligence helps universities avoid repeating the mistakes made with social media by ensuring AI enhances human thought rather than replacing it.
The EdUp Experience continues to deliver vital insights into higher education trends, innovation, and leadership with industry experts like David A. Armstrong.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with ⁠David A. Armstrong, President, St. Thomas University

This episode, President Series #501, is powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠ -Higher Ed's AI-Enriched Platform!

This episode is sponsored by the InsightsEDU 2027 Conference - focused on attracting & retaining the modern learner - where we will be podcasting live from February 23-25 in Phoenix, AZ! Use code EDUP & save $100! Early-bird pricing ends December 15, 2026!

This episode is also sponsored by 2026 Arizona Community College Administrators Conference where we will be podcasting live from October 7-9 on the campus of Yavapai College!

This episode is brought to you by Beyond Survival: Reporting from the Front Lines of Higher Education’s War for Relevance is a documentary account from the front lines of the most consequential upheaval in higher ed in generations!

YOUR cohost is Greg Clayton, President of Enrollment Management Services, EducationDynamics

YOUR host is ⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How does a turnaround president take an institution on life support & make it thrive by knowing every person on campus & what they actually do, not what their job description says?
Why does teaching students how to think instead of what to think matter more now when we're living in a moment where people want to be told what to think?
What makes seven standards for the ethical use of AI the way to avoid making the same mistake we made with social media when AI should enhance thinking, not be the thinker for you?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is David A. Armstrong?

David A. Armstrong is the President of St. Thomas University and a featured guest on The EdUp Experience, known for his expertise in turning around struggling higher education institutions.

What is the main focus of David A. Armstrong's episode on The EdUp Experience?

The episode focuses on how a turnaround president can take a university on life support and transform it into a thriving institution through deep campus engagement and effective leadership.

Why is teaching students how to think emphasized by David A. Armstrong?

He emphasizes teaching students how to think instead of what to think because it fosters critical thinking skills essential for navigating a world where people are increasingly pressured to follow prevailing ideologies.

How does St. Thomas University approach artificial intelligence under David A. Armstrong?

The institution focuses on ethical AI use standards designed to ensure that artificial intelligence enhances human thinking and learning rather than acting as the thinker for the student.