What makes a great leader?Today, hierarchies are flattening, employees are looking for flexibility and meaning as much as a paycheck, and they want to be engaged, challenged, have opportunities for creativity, and have a voice. In this context, leaders who can pause, ask questions, listen and attempt to understand their employees’ perspectives (particularly those with whom they disagree), and try to empower employees, should be most effective. These are sometimes called servant leaders.
What is the power of storytelling?The tales of how we navigate the vicissitudes of everyday life and loss become vital to us. From the sum of those stories, we create our lives and our identities. We are the stories we know and the stories we tell.
Can a university help address the opioid epidemic?The opioid epidemic is complex and multifaceted, so the solutions are unlikely to be simple. Universities have the great advantage of the presence of faculty with diverse skill sets working in close proximity. If a university can create an environment that promotes interaction, cross-pollination of ideas, and interdisciplinary collaboration, it can become an ideal breeding ground for creative solutions to important societal issues.
Is a truly equitable campus achievable?A first step is understanding what we mean by “equitable campus” and how it relates to diversity and inclusion efforts. In our case, we are building on the three strategic pillars of diversity, inclusion and equity. When we talk about an equitable culture, we are really referring to a culture of equity versus a culture of equal opportunity.
What is global competency and why does it matter?We seek to educate graduates who are prepared to analyze complex global challenges, to collaborate respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, and to take responsible local action after due consideration of contemporary global contexts.