Higher Ed Pulse

Pulse Check: After Further Consideration — Part 1

Episode Summary

Welcome to the debut episode of this new Pulse Check series, "After Further Consideration," a DEI-focused series where hosts Dr. Cody Nielsen and Dr. Tomika Ferguson invite experienced change leaders both within and beyond higher education into conversations focused on responsive leadership, addressing campus crises, navigating institutional shifts, and fostering sustainable change all through the lens of equity and inclusion. 

Episode Notes

Welcome to the debut episode of this new Pulse Check series, "After Further Consideration," a DEI-focused series where hosts Dr. Cody Nielsen and Dr. Tomika Ferguson invite experienced change leaders both within and beyond higher education into conversations focused on responsive leadership, addressing campus crises, navigating institutional shifts, and fostering sustainable change all through the lens of equity and inclusion. 

Key Takeaways from Part 1:

  1. Over the past three decades, the role of the college president has transformed dramatically, necessitating extended tenures to lead impactful change in higher education. 
  2. Leaders must decisively affirm their commitments to equity and inclusion to reshape the institutional culture despite opposition. 
  3. Becoming an equity leader demands a sustained, long-term commitment. 
  4. Prioritizing self-care is essential for leaders to prevent burnout. 
  5. While shifting to an inclusive institutional culture requires buy-in from faculty, trustees, administrators, alumni, and students, it demands unwavering leadership from the president.

Guest Name: Pat McGuire 

Guest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patricia-mcguire-4b291510

Guets Bio: Patricia McGuire has been president of Trinity since 1989.  Previously, she was the assistant dean for development and external affairs at Georgetown University Law Center where she was also an adjunct professor of law.  She began her career after law school as the project director for the Street Law clinical program at Georgetown.  President McGuire serves on a number of boards including the Consortium of Universities, Cafritz Foundation, Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Ameritas Holding Company.  Her prior board service includes the American Council on Education, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Catholic Charities DC, the Meyer Foundation, the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region, and numerous other organizations.  In 2018 she received the Association of Catholic Colleges Distinguished Service Award.  In 2016, the TIAA Institute honored President McGuire with the Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence.  In 2015 President McGuire received the Carnegie Award for Academic Leadership from the Carnegie Corporation.  In 2012 she received the Henry Paley Award from the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. In 2010 she received the Alexander Meiklejohn Award for Academic Freedom from the American Association of University Professors. She holds honorary degrees from several universities including Georgetown, Howard, Chatham, Emmanuel, Saint Michael’s, Liverpool Hope, the College of New Rochelle and others.  She has received recognition in the Washington Post, Washingtonian magazine, Washington Business Journal and other media outlets.  In 2007 she was named “Leader of the Years” by the Greater Washington Board of Trade.  She earned her law degree at Georgetown and her baccalaureate degree cum laude at Trinity.

Connect with the Hosts of this Pulse Check series:
J. Cody Nielsen on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/j-cody-nielsen
Tomika Ferguson on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tomikaferguson and Twitter (X): @tomiferg