01.

Regional Higher Education

Leading at a regional public university can be challenging. Department chairs may get little to no leadership training but are expected to keep their academic programs productive and relevant. Mid-level managers may find it difficult to experiment and innovate within change-resistant systems. Staff may be faced with very few opportunities to advance professionally and financially.I’ve spent more than 27 years in these environments as professional staff and faculty: News Director, Student Media Advisor, academic program coordinator, Department Chair, Director of Global Learning, and Assistant Vice Provost for International Affairs. Through experience and observation, I understand some of the core aspects of Regional Public Universities: limited resources, heavy teaching loads, complex community relationships, and the pressures of middle management.You’re a new department chair figuring out how to lead former peers. You’re an assistant professor considering whether administration is right for you. You’re professional staff thinking about pursuing faculty opportunities. You’re a student media advisor navigating campus politics. Or, you’re looking for some outside perspective from a trustworthy, impartial colleague. I can help you think through challenges, make strategic decisions, and lead in ways that align with your values.

02.

Civic Life

Community service may not always look like leadership, but it is. It brings people together in a shared purpose, and things get done with limited resources. You might be accomplishing this as a nonprofit manager, a Rotary Club president, or a civic initiative volunteer.Service organizations are facing significant challenges right now. Membership is aging, volunteer burnout is common, and younger people want to serve differently than previous generations did. Measuring community impact, and then effectively communicating it, takes effort.I’ve been a member of Rotary Clubs for nearly two decades, worked on municipal task forces strengthening Town and Gown relationships, and spent three decades practicing and analyzing journalism, a profession I’ve always treated as public service. I recognize how community organizations work, why they matter, and what it takes to sustain them.You’re trying to increase your organization’s community impact. Your club needs a leadership continuity plan. You’re exploring ways to attract and engage new members. Or, you want to figure out how to lead volunteers effectively. I can help you think strategically about these challenges and build sustainable solutions.

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