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The writings and renewal practices created by Parker Palmer and Courage and Renewal transformed me. As many of us in community colleges head into the holiday break, there’s a natural pull to recharge. For the first two decades of my career, my version of recharging was often just planning how to achieve more  in the next cycle. I was driven, adept at "doing," and that mindset certainly opened a lot of doors and opportunities. I hit metrics, climbed ladders, and genuinely enjo

Even though you might not be able to read it, here's this week's postcard of most important tasks. I’m currently listening to Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less  by Greg McKeown for the third time. Why a third time? Because while I know the principles by heart, it’s an area I continue to struggle with. The main theme of the book—to commit to doing only the most important work—is a profound truth that is constantly at war with reality. We are all bombarded daily wit

As leaders in rural community colleges, we are hyper-focused on serving our communities. But our success ultimately depends on the strength of our partnerships within our own campus. I learned this lesson the hard way. The Cost of the "Us vs. Them" Mentality Early in my career as a Director of Admissions, I was immensely proud of my high-performing team. I saw us as the engine, and others at the college as slower or less effective. This belief—that only  my department was ex

For Halloween, I channeled my inner Ted Lasso . The warm reactions—the laughs, the high-fives, and the genuine appreciation from staff—were more than just holiday fun; they were a chance to actively Encourage the Heart. Long before I donned the mustache and the AFC Richmond gear, a few colleagues said I reminded them of Ted, and I was even gifted a "Believe" sign that now hangs proudly above my office door. That little blue poster is more than a novelty; it's a daily, visibl

Creating my online course for Rural Community College Leaders has made me reflect deeply on the people who profoundly impacted my development. These are the individuals who didn't just occupy a position but truly cultivated  the community around them. Their influence is a vital lesson for anyone working to lead and connect in a rural setting. Let me tell you about someone who, for me, epitomized the power of truly connecting with others: Jack Annan. I had the privilege of kno

Here's what 4 people who grew up in Nebraska look like on their first surfing lesson. I'm 48, and last week I had my first surfing...

We don't always like to talk about the finances for college, but need to make sure our students are prepared to succeed. One quality of a...

Strengths baseball cards help our staff realize the strengths of their teammates. When I was younger, I truly believed everyone shared my...

Coach Larry Pritchett (bottom right) with the 1968 State Champions, including my dad, John Long (second from right standing) In the...

Layout your interview process to help choose the right fit for your role. In our last post , we explored how a highly structured...

Before interviewing, take time to identify the talents you need in the role. When it comes to hiring, many of us fall back on traditional...

Effective Onboarding will help your new hires get off to a great start! Think back to your first day in a new role. Was it an exciting,...

My career path has been anything but linear, taking me from the basketball courts and classrooms of Nebraska high schools to the world of...

Pat McBride, former Director of New Student Orientation at the University of Nebraska assisting new students during orientation. In my...

Hello everyone, I'm Andy Long, and I'm excited to launch this space dedicated to empowering managers and leaders within rural community...