Small College America
Dean is the Producer and Co-host of Small College America. The podcast series presents critical discussions at the forefront by interviewing small college higher education leaders, policy experts, and innovators.
About Dean Hoke
Dean Hoke is a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is currently researching The Economic and Social Impact of Small Colleges in Rural Communities.
Exploring higher education collaborations with Dean
Dean is a seasoned executive and innovator with extensive leadership experience in higher education administration, small colleges, international partnerships, and academic collaborations.
Currently, Dean actively engages in writing and podcasting about small colleges in America. He serves as producer and co-host of Small College America, a podcast series dedicated to critical discussions with small college leaders, policy experts, and innovators. The series explores the evolving role of small institutions, their economic impacts, innovative sustainability strategies, and maintaining personalized education experiences. He is currently researching The Economic and Social Impact of Small Colleges in Rural Communities.
Dean is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Edu Alliance Group, Inc., an international higher education consultancy based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Bloomington, Indiana, USA. Since its founding in 2014, Edu Alliance has become a respected global consulting firm, assisting higher education institutions across the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and North America. Dean has directly managed complex client projects in over ten countries, demonstrating his expertise in strategic branding, market expansion, international collaborations, and feasibility studies for academic programs and international campuses.
From 2023 to 2025, Dean served as President and CEO of the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA). His leadership significantly expanded AAUA’s individual and institutional memberships and organized its first successful multi-day conference, drawing over 150 higher education leaders to Indianapolis, Indiana.
Before his current roles, Dean held key positions at prominent educational institutions in the UAE. At Khalifa University, a globally ranked institution, he secured an $18 million grant for Ankabut, the UAE’s primary research and education network, dramatically increasing its membership and annual revenue. Additionally, as Head of Marketing and Institutional Development at the Higher Colleges of Technology, he managed comprehensive marketing strategies and fundraising initiatives across its 16-campus network, serving over 20,000 students.
Earlier, Dean showcased his entrepreneurial spirit as Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Connected Learning Network, an online educational services firm partnering with prestigious universities and global corporations, including Microsoft and the Red Cross.
Dean began his career in 1975 at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, holding various roles in admissions and development. From 1983 to 1998, he transitioned into broadcasting, serving in senior executive positions in television and radio, including President and General Manager roles for public broadcasting networks in Alaska, Texas, and Connecticut. Later, returning to Louisville, Dean served as Chief Operating Officer of The Military Channel.
Recognized widely for his contributions, Dean authored numerous articles in prominent publications such as US News and World Report, Chronicle of Higher Education, Al Fanar, Higher Education Digest, and The EvoLLLution. He regularly contributes to professional forums in the United States, including the American Association of University Administrators and the United States Distance Learning Association, as well as international conferences hosted by UNESCO, the Association of Indian Universities, and the European Distance Learning Association.
Dean has maintained a robust commitment to professional service, serving on boards such as Urbana University, the American Association of University Administrators, the United States Distance Learning Association, Mercy Academy in Louisville, and the Advisory Board for Higher Education Digest Magazine. His notable recognitions include the Order of the Kentucky Colonel, the City of Louisville Distinguished Citizen Award, Bellarmine University Honorary Alumnus, the Press Club Award from the Texas Media Association, and recognition from the Alaska Press Club.
Dean holds an M.S. in Community Development from the University of Louisville and a B.A. in College Administration from Urbana University, complemented by an Executive Management Certification from the Wharton School of Business.
Dean and his wife, Nancy Baer Hoke, reside in Bloomington, Indiana.
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