Life in Higher Ed
Welcome to Life in Higher Ed. We are senior higher education administrators and combined we have over 50 years of experience. We are here to talk about what goes on behind the scenes on college and university campuses. We surface the interesting, the confounding, and the seemingly absurd, and we do so with honesty and a sprinkling of humor. We want to help you not only survive but thrive and to know that you are not alone in your journey. If you are an administrator in higher ed or considering becoming an administrator, this podcast is for you!
Life in Higher Ed
In crisis and calm: building an essential partnership with your institution's legal counsel - Guilherme Costa
From navigating routine compliance challenges to managing full-blown institutional crises, discover how administrators cultivate strategic partnerships with their legal advisor that prove invaluable when the stakes are highest. Guilherne Costa shares candid insights on building trust during quiet periods, establishing clear communication protocols, and why the best crisis responses start long before trouble hits campus. Whether you're facing student protests, Title IX investigations, or unexpected legal challenges, this episode reveals how to transform your general counsel from reactive advisor to proactive strategic partner.
Guilherme M. Costa
Guilherme M. Costa serves as the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Corporation of Bentley University. Guilherme brings more than 15 years of higher education leadership experience, having previously served Syracuse University as the Interim Senior Vice President and University Secretary (and previously as the Senior Associate Vice President and Deputy University Secretary), Ithaca College as the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, the South Dakota Board of Regents as General Counsel, and the University of Idaho as the Deputy General Counsel (and previously as the Associate General Counsel).
Guilherme earned undergraduate degrees in business administration and political science from the University of Florida, a law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, and a master’s degree in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership from the University of Idaho.
Resources
Fabiano, A, Harrington, B, et al. (2025). Five Priorities for College & University Legal Counsel Starting the Academic Year
Masterly Legal (2024). Why Higher Education Institutions Need a Dedicated Higher Education Attorney https://www.masterlylegal.com/why-higher-education-institutions-need-a-dedicated-higher-education-attorney
Morioka, S. (2022). The Evolution of the General Counsel https://quadrangle.michigan.law.umich.edu/issues/fall-2022/evolution-general-counsel
