What’s Your Why: Advice from Higher Ed Leadership RW Jones Agency/Rankin Climate

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 dialogue and gives career advice on remaining open to new opportunities throughout your journey.

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 racially and economically diverse school environments and the importance of helping students build skills for civil discourse. 

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 institutional support.

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 mission and the importance of empowering students to discern their passions and develop their sense of purpose.