Leaders on Leadership

In this episode, Dr. Mary Dana Hinton, President of Hollins University, takes us through her journey to the presidency. From a young age, her mother instilled in her the importance of not only obtaining an education but of finding ways to serve others through that education. She shares the importance of leading through the margins and encourages others to develop a lifelong commitment to learning...

Dr. Kathy Wilson Humphrey recounts her educational journey, including attending one of the first desegregated schools in Kansas City where she grew up. Dr. Humphrey's passion for working in academia began when she served as a Resident Assistant at the University of Central Missouri. She shares with host, Dr. L. Jay Lemons, how she views her role as president and how a servant leadership style can...

In a special Pride Month episode, Dr. Jay Lemons was privileged to host Dr. Timothy Mottet, President of Colorado State University Pueblo. Dr. Mottet shared his inspiring story, beginning with his roots in rural Iowa, followed by his ascent to leadership in academia. He spoke about the importance of authenticity and inspiration in today's higher education landscape and the ways in which LGBTQ+ lea...

Dr. Barbara Farley, President of Illinois College, shares her journey and the influential people and experiences that have shaped her as a leader. Dr. Farley discusses her Midwest roots, the importance of education instilled by her parents, the profound impact of teachers who sparked her passion for learning, and the influence her late husband had on her life. She also reflects on her career traje...

Dr. Charles L. Welch, President of the Arkansas State University System, recounts his path to leadership with host Dr. L. Jay Lemons. As an undergraduate student, Welch had his eyes set on becoming a lawyer, but after meetings with his academic advisor, he chose a career in academia. The first-generation college student ultimately found his passion in helping others achieve success through their e...

President of the Council of Independent Colleges and author of A Leadership Guide for Women in Higher Education, Dr. Marjorie Hass, shares her story on how she moved from faculty to provost, and ultimately to the presidency. She discusses the challenges of leaving behind a discipline she loved to lead as well as advice she would give other women seeking leadership roles in higher education. Interv...

Dr. Gary Crosby, the eighth President of Saint Elizabeth University, joins Jay to discuss his path through student affairs to the presidency and how being agile and flexible has been key to his success. Dr. Crosby, who is the first male and person of color to lead Saint Elizabeth, also shares how being a first-generation student led him to this role and guides him as a leader in higher education....

In this episode, Jay talks with Dr. Beatriz González, President of the Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College. Dr. González shares her family’s story as Cuban exiles and how that experience influenced her desire to give back to others through leadership in higher education. She also discusses the need for leaders to be authentic, humble, and open to opportunity, and to surround themselves with a tal...

In this episode, Jay is joined by Dr. Ronald Rochon, President of the University of Southern Indiana. Dr. Rochon talks about the important attributes he thinks make for a good leader, including empathy, accessibility, and humility – all qualities he saw in his mentors. He also advises new leaders to make time to build their networks, listen widely and well across the campus community, and be patie...

Jay talks with Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, President of Framingham State University, who talks about the role and impact of AASCU institutions in meeting the needs of their local communities. He shares his thoughts on leadership and identifies humility and honesty as being two critical attributes of good leaders. He also discusses how important it is for leaders to build a highly skilled team of indiv...

Jay is joined by Deborah Stanley, President of the State University of New York at Oswego, who recently announced her retirement after more than 25 years in the post. Ms. Stanley shares her thoughts on the qualities and characteristics of great leaders and reflects on how those attributes have changed during her time as a university president. She also offers advice for new leaders on being patien...

In this episode, Jay talks with Dr. Loren Blanchard, President of the University of Houston-Downtown, who shares three pieces of advice for leading through crisis: being nimble, doing advanced preparation, and delivering clear, consistent and regular communication. Dr. Blanchard also discusses some of the proven strategies he has used to help close equity gaps and the importance of focusing on stu...

Jay is joined by Dr. Félix Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor of the City University of New York. Dr. Rodríguez shares his thoughts on how leaders can benefit from having a mentor or executive coach as they transition into a new role. He also discusses the importance of understanding your leadership style so you know your strengths and the areas where you need to grow.

In this episode, Jay speaks with Dr. Alisa White, President of Sam Houston State University (SHSU). Dr. White discusses her experience transitioning to the presidency at SHSU during the height of the pandemic and the importance of virtue, courage, and honesty when building a strong team.

Dr. Shirley Collado talks with Jay about how her earliest college experience as a member of the inaugural class of Posse scholars shaped her career, her perspective on access, success, and college completion, and her understanding of students’ desires for a sense of belonging and affirmation. She also discusses how aspiring leaders can prepare for the challenges of the future by gaining skills and...

In this episode, Jay speaks with Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, president of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Dr. Ramaswamy talks about his journey to leadership and how his own experience as a first-generation, low-income student in India has translated to a passion for student success and closing equity gaps, which he has put into action while with NWCCU. He also discusses th...

Dr. Chapdelaine talks with Jay about the role of institutions in community engagement and workforce development. She discusses her own experience both as a faculty member and administrator in preparing students to contribute to their communities as talented professionals and civic leaders. She also shares her thoughts on the important qualities of good institutional leaders, from being passionate...

Jay is joined by Dr. Jo Allen, who talks about her path to the presidency of her alma mater, Meredith College. Dr. Allen discusses Meredith's anti-racism initiative and shares some of the successes and challenges the campus community has faced in this effort. In addition to offering her thoughts on the importance of balancing confidence with humility as a leader, she discusses the value in taking...

In this episode, Jay talks with Dr. Scott Miller, President of Virginia Wesleyan University, who has served for 31 years in four college presidencies. Dr. Miller reflects on the characteristics that made him effective in those roles and led to opportunities for his institutions and those who served with him. He also shares the importance of life-long learning and taking advantage of leadership dev...

Jay talks with Dr. Daniel Greenstein, Chancellor of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education, who reflects on his career path and how it led him to be a passionate advocate for affordable, accessible higher education. Dr. Greenstein also discusses important qualities needed for strategic leadership, including data-informed decision-making, accountability, transparency, and empathy. 

Jay is joined by his mentor and former boss, John Casteen , president emeritus of the University of Virginia, and takes the opportunity to reflect on some of the important advice Mr. Casteen offered him as he began his leadership journey. Mr. Casteen discusses the impact desegregation and the civil rights movement had on his approach to creating opportunity and educational equity throughout his ca...

Jay is joined by Dr. Jessica Kozloff, former president of Academic Search and president emerita of Bloomsburg University (PA). Dr. Kozloff talks about the mentors who influenced her path to the presidency and reflects on some of the advice they shared with her. She also offers her thoughts on mission-oriented, student-centered leadership.

Jay talks with Dr. Joel Martin, President of Wagner College (NY), who discusses how his journey from scholar to scholar-administrator gave him the opportunity to have an expanded impact on his institution and in society. He also talks about the unique perspective that having a diverse institutional background can offer and the benefits of looking outside your sector for new ideas and influences. 

Jay speaks with Dr. Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System. Dr. Turman shares his thoughts on creating a shared vision by engaging stakeholders early and often through the process. He also discusses the importance of seeking out mentors to help you shape and refine your leadership style.

Jay is joined by  Dr. Heidi Anderson , President of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, who talks about the mentors who influenced and encouraged her on her path to leadership. Dr. Anderson discusses the myriad benefits of public higher education and the challenges facing institutions as they work to address changes to the business model and the learning model in a post-pandemic world.