In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster talks with Joe Leonhardt, a 25-year veteran in higher education, about skills, education, and leadership. Joe and Michael talk about how the restaurant business will teach you a lot about leadership. Joe emphasizes digital marketing skills and shares the importance of effective communication in leadership. He also expresses his passion for career education, specifically within the trades. Joe tells the inspiring story of his first student who, against all odds, found a path to success through higher education. The podcast concludes with Joe discussing the importance of encouraging and mentoring young leaders, as he sees a gap in this sector in today’s world.
What to Expect
00:44 Guest Introduction: Joseph Leonhardt
01:20 The Importance of Digital Skills in Today’s World
01:57 Exploring the Career Education Sector
03:06 Personal Experiences and Passion for the Sector
03:15 The Impact of Career Education on Families
04:20 Discussion on International Students and Enrollment
05:07 The Value Proposition of Career Colleges
13:08 The Role of Mentoring and Leadership in Career Education
16:07 The Importance of Communication in Leadership
18:37 Learning from Failures and Overcoming Challenges
22:55 The Power of Mentoring and Influence in Leadership
29:32 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
About our Guest
Joe Leonhardt is a 26-year veteran of career and higher education largely in enrollment
management and campus operations executive roles. A lifelong student of leadership, today
Joe teaches leadership as adjunct faculty in the MBA program at the University of Arizona
Global Campus. He also serves as a Senior Account Executive at Advance 360 Education, a
higher education digital marketing company. Finally, Joe has served as a college consultant and
is currently an active board member for multiple organizations.
Leonhardt earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business from Indiana Wesleyan
University and has received multiple leadership & performance awards throughout his career.
Joe has been married to Melodie for 32 years, lives in Castle Rock, CO. and has two adult
children. Joe is also a published author and podcaster.
