Sept. 14, 2026

Small Is the Strategy, Not the Apology - with Dr. Cynthia L. Pemberton, President, Lewis-Clark State College

Key Takeaways

Small institutional size can be leveraged as a strategic advantage rather than an apology, driving stability and growth in higher education.
Dr. Cynthia L. Pemberton shares her inspiring journey as a first-generation, low-income student who rose to become a college president.
Serving nontraditional students requires adapting institutional energy and approaches, rather than simply relying on traditional policies.
Lewis-Clark State College demonstrates how a small rural institution can thrive while navigating broader sector enrollment declines.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Cynthia L. Pemberton, President, Lewis-Clark State College

This episode, President Series #505, 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 Shadi Figuli, CEO & Co-Founder, Nemonx

YOUR host is ⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Why is a small rural Idaho college stable & growing while the rest of the sector panics over enrollment decline?
What does it mean to serve nontraditional students with different energy, not just different policies?
How does a first generation, low income kid nobody would have bet on end up 9 years into a college presidency?

Listen in to #EdUp

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the guest on this episode of The EdUp Experience?

The guest is Dr. Cynthia L. Pemberton, President of Lewis-Clark State College.

What is the main theme of the discussion with Dr. Cynthia L. Pemberton?

The discussion focuses on how small colleges can embrace their size as a strategic advantage to achieve stability and growth despite nationwide enrollment challenges.

What unique background does Dr. Cynthia L. Pemberton bring to her presidency?

Dr. Pemberton is a first-generation, low-income college graduate who brings her personal life experience and nearly a decade of presidential leadership to her role.