In this episode of the podcast, two-time former president of the University of South Carolina, Harris Pastides, shares his experiences and beliefs about what it takes to lead an institution of higher education in the 21st century. Throughout his remarkable career, Pastides has led with a student-centered approach, a willingness to show his own humanity, and a commitment to making himself accessible and available to students and faculty alike. His leadership style transcends the skill sets that once defined a qualified, capable university president. By leaning into his own authenticity instead of following any kind of conventional playbook, he has cultivated meaningful relationships with thousands of students based on trust, compassion, openness, and shared values.

Podcast Highlights

• As a first-generation student, Pastides’ formative experiences broadened his perspective and led to a core belief in the fundamental sameness of human beings. His focus on the shared humanity among all individuals has been a hallmark of his student-centered leadership style.
• In times of tragedy, there is no playbook for how to lead. In the aftermath of a tragic incident on campus, Pastides responded with authentic humanity and compassion first, connecting deeply with a grieving campus community before spearheading initiatives and campaigns to protect all students and campus residents.
• Skills like financial management and strategic planning, while important, are not the only key qualifiers for leadership in higher education. Leaders of today and tomorrow must show their integrity and values to build trust-based relationships with their constituents over time.
• Pastides’ human-centered, student-first approach to leadership has enabled the University of South Carolina to become number one among honors colleges in the United States, as well as the top-ranking institution in student freshmen experience.

#HigherEdLeadership #HigherEdPodcast #TheChangeLeader

To read the full show notes, visit: https://changinghighered.com/21st-century-leadership-in-higher-education-insights-for-success/

Resources

Dr. Drumm McNaughton provides leadership consulting for higher ed institutions. To find out more about his services and read other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm’s website, https://changinghighered.com/.

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