What’s Your Why: Advice from Higher Ed Leadership

In this episode, Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano shares his story -- a lifelong dedication to higher education shaped by his parents, who were first-generation college graduates and teachers. Iuliano discusses transformative power of engaging with different perspectives and shares his advice on how to make informed decisions that align with your core values.

Dr. Lori S. White is DePauw University's trailblazing 21st president. She became the first woman and person of color to lead the institution in 2020. President White, a passionate advocate for student success, has over 40 years of experience in higher education. In our conversation, she discusses the importance of fostering an inclusive campus culture through free expression and respectful dialogu...

Dr. Anita Thomas is North Central College's 11th president, as well as the first woman and first person of color to lead the institution. Thomas is a researcher, renowned scholar and psychologist. In our conversation, she shares her advice on how to be present and build resilience and emphasizes the importance of taking time for reflection.

Mike Magee is the president of Minerva University, a global community dedicated to shaping the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers. Before his current role, Magee was the founding CEO of Chiefs for Change, a non-profit organization supporting leaders of many of the nation's largest K-12 public education systems. In our conversation, Magee reflects on the need to create raci...

President Jo Allen is the first alumna to lead Meredith College, one of the largest private colleges for women in the United States. She was named the 8th president of the institution in 2011. In our conversation, President Allen shares her thoughts on the small things all great leaders do and the importance of empowering the next generation of women through leadership, mentorship and institutiona...

Mary Dana Hinton has served as the president of Hollins University since August 2020. An active proponent of the liberal arts and inclusion, her leadership reflects a deep commitment to educational equity. President Hinton shares how recent events have shaped her 'why' and reminds us of the power of hope, joy and love.

Kathryn Morris, the 19th president of St. Lawrence University, has dedicated her life to higher education. Before her presidency, she was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Butler University, overseeing key institutional priorities and strategic planning. In this episode, we discuss how education changed the trajectory of her family, how to ground yourself in your institutional mis...

Dr. Alison Byerly has served as president of Carleton College since 2021 and is the school's first woman president. A scholar of Victorian literature and culture, Byerly is the author of two scholarly books and has written and spoken extensively on the role of technology in higher education. In our conversation, she highlights the power of building relationships with your community and the importa...

Linda LeMura, the 14th President of Le Moyne College, is the first female layperson to lead a Jesuit institution of higher education in the U.S. As a first-generation college student, LeMura explains education's pivotal role in shaping her life. She also shares what inspires her drive to give back and build inclusive communities and how she reconnects to her "why" in challenging times.

Dr. Wesley Fugate, the 20th President of Wilson College, has led the institution since January 2020. Under his guidance, the college introduced new academic programs and initiatives for diversity and inclusion. In our conversation, he shares the importance of educating students about justice and honorable living and the power of using humor to connect with your community.

Willamette President Stephen Thorsett is a prominent astrophysicist with over two decades of expertise as a scholar and academic leader. In our conversation, he shares the importance of creating nimble and dynamic institutions that can respond to the needs of their communities. He also shares his advice on how leaders can find the right opportunities to take on larger roles.

Barbara Mistick is the President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Before that, she served as the 19th president of Wilson College, where she implemented several initiatives to make the college more accessible and affordable to students. In our conversation, President Mistick describes how her childhood experiences shaped her career, how to turn to your core val...

Dr. Sean Decatur has served as president of the American Museum of Natural History since 2022. He previously led Kenyon College for nine years. We talked with President Decatur about the importance of learning and how our identities shape our leadership.

John Bravman is among the longest-serving Presidents at Bucknell University, and under his leadership, the university has experienced some of the most significant achievements in its 176-year history. In our conversation, Bravman shares the importance of learning from failure and the power of vulnerability.

Macalester College President Suzanne Rivera is an advocate for social justice and is firmly committed to creating access to higher education. In our conversation, she shares her unique educational experience, her path to the presidency, and explains how her "why" shapes her leadership through difficult times.

Katherine Rowe, the 28th president at William & Mary, is recognized as an innovator in higher education. In this episode, she opens up about a time when her leadership was challenged and shares her advice on creating a sense of belonging on campus and removing obstacles to ensure student success.

Brent Chrite, president of Bentley University, believes in the power of education to transform communities. In this episode, he shares his lessons from over 25 years in leadership positions. We discuss the importance of sticking with your core beliefs and his advice for remaining "relentlessly and energetically " committed to students. 

Harry Elam, president of Occidental College, is committed to creating environments where everyone can thrive. Having grown up in the turbulent era of court-ordered school desegregation in Boston, Elam is also a leader on issues of diversity and inclusion. We talked with President Elam about the power of connection and the importance of active listening.

President Audrey Bilger, the first woman president of Reed College, is a prolific author and inclusive leader. Bilger has held numerous leadership positions across higher education. She is an active member of LGBTQ+ organizations and local Portland organizations committed to breaking down educational barriers. We talk with President Bilger about learning and questioning with joy and having the cou...

President Tania Tetlow has led Fordham University since 2022 and is the first layperson and first woman in the role. She talks about the power of leading with humility and shares her advice for finding the good in people and learning from painful situations.

President David Wippman from Hamilton College is a champion of the liberal arts who encourages his students to create lives filled with meaning, purpose and active citizenship. We spoke with President Wippman about how his clear sense of purpose has guided his work and helped him through challenging times.

Hampshire College President Ed Wingenbach is a passionate administrator, faculty leader, scholar, and proponent of liberal arts education. We talked with President Wingenbach about the power of education to transform communities and create more just societies. 

This episode features Franklin and Marshall College President Barbara Altmann. President Altmann shares what it means to lead with information and empathy and why she's committed to bringing joy and fun to the rigors of education.

Brian Casey has served as Colgate University's president since 2016. He is a champion for campus well-being and a community builder.  In our conversation, President Casey shares the importance of being present, following your heart and finding time to recharge.

L. Song Richardson, President at Colorado College, is an award-winning educator, legal scholar, and lawyer. Her vision for Colorado College is to prepare students to create a more just world by igniting their potential and encouraging them to reach across differences to find common ground. In our conversation, President Richardson shares the importance of engaging in courageous conversations and v...