SI 14′ Change in Higher Education – Dr. Walter Kimbrough

The Faces of Leadership – How Ordinary People Transformed A College (Philander Smith)

“Find what you love to do in life. This is the stuff you would do for free and is fun for you. Then figure out how to get paid.”

The different roles people play – which one are you?

“The Architect” – Youngest College President (at age 29)
A leader that musters the courage to interrogate reality (especially during change).
What values do we stand for and are there gaps between those values and how we actually behave.
What opportunities does the future hold and what are the gaps between goals and our current capacities to achieve them? Wesley’ deep spiritual principles related to human need and justice…. He had no tolerance.

“The Servant”
German Jew, fled the Nazi
Committed to serving others through a cause, a crusade, a movement, a campaign

“The Builder”  – Leading from Behind
There’s one area in particular that calls for leading from behind and that’s innovation. By definition, you don’t know exactly where you want to go. And innovation is almost always a collective process, the harnessing of creative design.

“The Magnet” – Believe it or not, who you get is not determined by what you want. It’s determined by who you are.  Who you are is who you get.

“The Postman” – Because they deliver.  (usually recruiter positions)
Rule #7: Do your job, do it well and enthusiastically, in a timely manner.
This type of person uses an integrative reality grounded in facts. Hard to argue with data. His wife says, “you’re being a bastard”.

“The Linchpin”  (Seth Godin)
An individual who can walk into chaos and create order, someone who can invest, connect, create and make things happen.
Example: create programs to retain students (Men taught how to tie ties,

“The Small-l” – Book – How to be a star at work”
Small-l leaders work quietly and unceremoniously side by side with their coworkers inside the system. They are helpers. The small-l leader usually has no direct supervisory authority.

“The Flywheel Pusher”  Jim Collins “Good to Great and the Social Sectors”
This person promotes good via media. Example – Dinner in the Dark for a blind student. Everyone attended a dinner blindfolded.

Seth Godin “Purple Cow”
Something remarkable is worth talking about. Worth Noticing. Exceptional.
Bless the Mic Lecture series.  First speaker was Ann Coulter. Another speaker was Ne Ne Leakes. No one will come to a speaker on domestic violence, but they will if it’s Ne Ne Leakes.  GET PEOPLE (students, community, professors) TALKING about your university.

Rule #45 – Leaders revel in surrounding themselves with people who are smarter than they are.  Tom Peters

“If you are remarkable, amazing or just plain spectacular, you probably shouldn’t have a resume at all.”  -Seth Godin    Amazing people are head hunted. People will know about you.   How do you do a job so well that you don’t need a resume? Love what you do and do that very well. Don’t focus on the future – focus on the now.

Is this a success story?

Improved Faculty salaries
Improve Campus
Increased Alumni giving 4% to 16% in 6 years

He left the University and within 18 months the enrollment dropped by 17% and the president resigned.

Is cultural change truly possible? And if so, how long does it have to be in place to make sure it sticks?

Advice for higher education institutions seeking nationally recognition: Bring in high profile speakers (NeNe Leaks!!). This can come from your marketing budgets, or student activities budgets. Hotels almost always would be speaker sponsors by donating rooms and certain speakers were sponsored by foundations or grant money.

“‘Hip-hop Prez’ rejuvenates a college, using a personal Touch” – The Chronicle of Higher Ed Article

Additional notes:
Definition of Leadership Dr. Kimbrough resonates with most, from Manning Marable:
Individuals who have the ability to understand their own times, who express or articulate programs or policies that reflect the perceived interests and desires of particular groups, wand who devise instruments or political vehicles that enhance the capacity to achieve effective change.

Mission Statement of Philander Smith College: To graduate academically accomplished students who are grounded as advocates for social justice, intentionally changing the world for the better.