Building the next generation of water utility leaders: Inside Xavier University’s new master’s program

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Bob Crossen talks with John Ikeda and Justin Roush about the launch of Xavier University’s groundbreaking Water Utilities Management master’s degree — the first program of its kind in the United States. Together, they discuss how the degree was conceived, the industry challenges it aims to address, and why workforce development has become one of the most urgent priorities for water and wastewater utilities.

Ikeda, chief mission officer at the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and Roush, assistant economics professor at Xavier and director of the new program, outline the growing need for specialized utility leadership as retirements accelerate and system complexity increases. They explain how the curriculum blends foundational business skills with utility‑specific coursework in areas like rate setting, regulation, capital improvement planning, and strategic communications. The discussion also highlights unique residency experiences, cohort‑based learning, and the program’s intentional focus on networking and long‑term career growth.

Crossen, Ikeda, and Roush explore how the master’s degree fits into broader sector‑wide workforce strategies and why emerging topics — such as AI in water — are being built directly into the curriculum. The episode offers a forward‑looking look at how the program aims to elevate future water utility leaders across the U.S.