Education Keynote Speaker Ryan Jenkins
Wall Street Journal Bestselling Leadership Author
and Award-Winning Keynote Speaker
Build More Connected Education Teams
Education is built on human connection. But the people responsible for creating exceptional learning experiences are navigating extraordinary change themselves.
Colleges, universities, and education organizations are adapting to AI, evolving student and employee expectations, workforce and leadership transitions, and a multigenerational workforce with up to five generations working side by side…all while fulfilling a mission that depends on people working well together.
Today's education organizations are working to:
Strengthen teamwork and collaboration across faculty, staff, administration, and campus departments
Connect a multigenerational workforce with different expectations, experiences, and communication styles
Attract, engage, develop, and retain the next generation of education professionals
Improve connection and belonging across increasingly complex campus environments
Prepare faculty and staff to embrace AI and workplace change while strengthening the human skills technology can't replace
Build cultures where employees feel connected to their colleagues, leaders, students, and institutional mission
Ryan equips education professionals with practical, research-backed strategies to build stronger relationships, communicate more effectively across generations, and create teamwork that drives better outcomes.
Whether speaking to university leaders, faculty, staff, HR professionals, emerging leaders, student-facing teams, or higher education associations, Ryan delivers an engaging keynote experience with actionable insights that strengthen workplace culture, improve collaboration, and prepare people for what's next.
The future of education depends on technology…but it will always be powered by human connection.
Proudly Trusted By:
Ryan’s Keynote Topics for
Education Organizations
Connectable
Strengthening Relationships to Improve Teamwork, Engagement & Belonging
Education is deeply human work. Strong relationships between colleagues, leaders, departments, and teams shape employee engagement, campus culture, and ultimately the experiences institutions create for students.
Ryan reveals practical strategies to strengthen workplace relationships, improve teamwork, and create cultures where people feel seen, supported, and connected.
Improve collaboration across faculty, staff, departments, and campus functions.
Strengthen workplace relationships that increase engagement and belonging.
Build greater trust and connection between employees and leaders.
Create a more connected campus culture.
Generational Connection
Leading & Working Across Generations in Education
Few workplaces experience generational change as visibly as education. Today's institutions employ a multigenerational workforce while simultaneously serving the newest generation of students.
Ryan helps education leaders and employees move beyond generational stereotypes to understand the experiences and expectations shaping different generations—and how to work better together.
Understand what motivates different generations at work.
Improve communication and teamwork across generations.
Strengthen collaboration between experienced and emerging professionals.
Attract, engage, develop, and retain the next generation of education talent.
Better understand the emerging generations entering today's campuses and workforce.
Team Binding
The Relationship Advantage in the Age of AI
As AI transforms teaching, administration, communication, and how work gets done, strong human relationships become even more important.
Ryan introduces the practical habits and systems that help education teams build trust, strengthen collaboration, and stay connected through constant change.
Build stronger, more connected teams across departments and campuses.
Prepare people to embrace AI and technological change.
Strengthen the human skills technology can't replace.
Move beyond occasional team building and create continuous team binding.
Every leader needs
to hear Ryan.
-Patrick Lencioni
Who Should Book Ryan Jenkins for Education Events?
01
University & College
Leaders
Equip presidents, executives, deans, department leaders, and administrators with practical strategies to strengthen culture, connect people across generations, and lead through continuous change.
02
Faculty, Staff & Campus
Teams
Help employees strengthen workplace relationships, communicate more effectively across generations, and improve teamwork across departments, functions, and roles.
03
HR, Learning & Emerging Leader Programs
Give current and future leaders actionable tools to engage a multigenerational workforce, strengthen retention and belonging, improve collaboration, and develop the next generation of education leaders.
04
Higher Education Associations & Conferences
Bring an engaging, research-backed keynote speaker to your event who understands the people side of education—from generations and teamwork to human connection, leadership, AI, and the future of work.
Education Organizations
Ryan Has Worked With
Cornell University
Texas A&M University
University of Kentucky
University of Tennessee
University of Notre Dame
University of Missouri
Auburn University
UCLA
UC Davis
Kennesaw State University
University of Toronto
University of Illinois
Middle Atlantic College Stores Association
Valdosta State University
University of North Texas
Stanbridge University
Laguna College of Art and Design
University of Indianapolis
Berea College
South Georgia State College
University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)
Middle Tennessee State University
National Association of College & University Food Services
Capture Higher Ed
CampusLogic
The Impact of Ryan Jenkins'
Keynotes on Education Organizations
-
![]()
Stronger Teamwork & Team Connection
Create more connected campus teams that communicate better, collaborate more effectively, and build greater trust across departments, functions, roles, and locations.
-
![]()
Greater Employee Engagement & Belonging
Equip leaders with practical strategies to strengthen workplace relationships and create environments where faculty and staff feel seen, supported, valued, and connected to the institution's mission.
-
![]()
Better Generational Collaboration
Bridge communication gaps across generations and help faculty, staff, and leaders understand, appreciate, and leverage the different experiences and perspectives throughout the institution.
-
![]()
Future-Ready Teams
Prepare faculty, staff, and leaders to navigate AI and continuous workplace change while strengthening the distinctly human skills technology can't replace.
-
![]()
Strong Emerging Leaders
Prepare the next generation of education leaders to build relationships across generations, strengthen trust, and confidently lead increasingly diverse teams.
THE BUZZ
Excitement from Engaged Audiences:
“Ryan sparked insights and ideas that I can apply in my team and across our company."
- Donna Kimmel, Chief People Officer at Citrix
“The best speaker we’ve ever had!”
- Ashley Breedlove, Director at CVS
“Ryan was phenomenal!”
- Kaylin Orr, Kimberly-Clark
“Great feedback from ALL attendees!”
- Mariana Fagnilli, VP at Liberty Mutual
"Utterly groundbreaking! Ryan equipped us to build a more connected organization with improved engagement.”
- Melissa Bernstein, Co-founder of Melissa & Doug
Why Book Ryan Jenkins for Education Events?
Higher Education Experience, Research-Backed Insights
Ryan has worked with universities and education organizations across North America, helping audiences navigate generations, teamwork, human connection, leadership, and the changing workplace. Every keynote is grounded in research and translated into practical strategies your people can use immediately.
Engaging, Practical & Actionable
Ryan combines compelling stories, humor, audience interaction, and practical takeaways to create a keynote that's both engaging and immediately useful. Faculty, staff, and leaders leave energized, and equipped with ideas they can put into practice the very next day.
Customized for Your Institution
No two colleges, universities, or education audiences are the same. Every keynote is tailored to your people, incorporating your goals, challenges, culture, workforce dynamics, and institutional priorities so the message feels relevant and specific.
Ready to Build a More Connected Education Workforce?
Strengthen teamwork, bridge generational gaps, engage your multigenerational workforce, and prepare your people to thrive through the changes shaping the future of education.