924: Transferable Leadership Skills - with Jason T. Evans, Chief Operating Officer, Tennessee State University

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Dr. Joe Sallustio: Welcome back, everybody. It's your time to EdUp on the EdUp Experience podcast where we make education your business. I'm Dr. Joe Sallustio, and I'm really excited about our guest today. Anytime we can talk to somebody who has served in the US military, I am always in awe of what people can accomplish and the freedoms they allow us to have. With me is Douglas Carlson, Head of Partnerships at Leeds Squared. Douglas, what's going on in your world?

Douglas Carlson: There are obvious things people have talked a lot about, like the enrollment cliff. FAFSA is obviously a big piece. I'm excited to talk to the general here about what that means for specific locations, like being based in Knoxville, which has a population explosion, and what that means for the university.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: Let's bring in our guest, Jason T. Evans, retired Lieutenant General and Chief Operating Officer at Tennessee State University. Jason, welcome to the podcast. How are you?

Jason T. Evans: Thank you, Joe. I appreciate it and I'm honored to be here. And Doug, it's a pleasure to be here with you.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: Before we get into Tennessee State University, can you tell us about your background in the US military?

Jason T. Evans: I have to give honor to the generations that came before me. My grandfather served in World War II. My father was a 30-year Air Force veteran and served in Vietnam. I served 40 years in the United States Army and retired about two years ago.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: How did you transition into higher education?

Jason T. Evans: I view what I did in the army as public service at a national level. Now I'm at a public school at a state level. It's about working with people and learning how business works. Colleges run like businesses, but the constant is people. I love working with people, and the people in higher ed are wonderful to work with, as they were in the Department of Defense and the army.

Douglas Carlson: What are the clear transferable skills you've learned in the military that apply today?

Jason T. Evans: In terms of leadership, it's always the soft skills. In any organization, it's about teamwork and working together for a common cause or mission. People are the most important resource, and you have to treat them as such. From the time you enter the military as a junior officer, you're entrusted with the care and welfare of people, resources, buildings, and equipment. The responsibility comes quickly and just repeats itself, getting larger and larger.

Douglas Carlson: Nashville has grown significantly. How is that affecting your school and landscape?

Jason T. Evans: We have the "For the Future" campaign, which involves 10 public state universities in Tennessee. We're focused on communicating, collaborating, and creating relationships with government leaders, business leaders, and community leaders across the 96 counties in Tennessee. We're highlighting the importance of a four-year education to empower people, empower communities, and create workforce development and talent management.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: There's a narrative out there that maybe you shouldn't go to college anymore. How do you address that?

Jason T. Evans: It is a debate. I'm not going to say that someone who doesn't go to college can't be successful, but we have exponentially more examples of people who have succeeded with four-year degrees. We want to highlight the importance of a four-year degree for professional development and skill development. We're talking about future leaders of America and Tennessee, and we want to provide them with the best preparation we can.

Douglas Carlson: How are you communicating the value of higher education to students?

Jason T. Evans: We communicate across all mediums. We have professional and appealing commercials on TV and digital platforms. We hold forums at the university and have prospective students talk to current students. We try to inspire them by showcasing our alumni who have gone on to be successful in every industry across America and internationally.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: How is the HBCU experience at Tennessee State University unique?

Jason T. Evans: The brand is strong. We can provide many examples of local, national, and international alumni success. Alumni come back and engage during homecoming and at our annual convention. The HBCU brand attracts young people because they see the success of those who graduate from here. It's a welcoming, family atmosphere with academic excellence.

Douglas Carlson: What industries are you preparing students for?

Jason T. Evans: We prepare students for all industries. STEM is leading in technology, and we have great technology and AI programs. We also have strong business programs and a medical cohort. With Nashville's economic growth, we need people across the spectrum – engineers, policemen, lawyers, medical professionals. That's why workforce development is so important.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: As Chief Operating Officer, what's your oversight and what do you want to accomplish?

Jason T. Evans: I'm Tennessee State University's first Chief Operating Officer. My focus includes the police department, customer relations, the Reserve Officer Training Program, the disability agency, and enrollment management. These areas are key to ensuring students have an environment where they can think, work, and serve.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: What's harder to change – something in the US military or something in an institution of higher education?

Jason T. Evans: Change is constant in both, and you have to embrace it. You need to put processes and procedures in place to monitor change and have metrics and data to measure its effectiveness. In both the military and higher education, it's about people. You have to lead them through change, empower them, inspire them, and give them the resources they need.

Douglas Carlson: How does the concept of "mission" differ between the military and higher education?

Jason T. Evans: They're similar. The mission tells the organization what it's going to do, and the vision is how you're going to get there. In the military, the larger mission is about defending the nation. In higher education, it's about educating and preparing students. The key difference is that in the military, the consequences can be more immediate and severe.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: As we wrap up, what do you want to say about Tennessee State University and the future of higher education?

Jason T. Evans: I'm honored to be part of this long legacy of academic excellence at Tennessee State University. I'm also privileged to be part of the "For the Future" campaign, which is highlighting the importance of a four-year education and how it benefits the community, the workforce, and individual professional development.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: Thank you, Jason, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today.

Jason T. Evans: It's been a pleasure to talk to you both. Thank you very much for having me.

Dr. Joe Sallustio: And there you have it, everybody. You've just EdUp'd!