In this inspiring episode of Gateway Conversations, host Eltavious Johnson sits down with Dr. Brooke Barnett, the newly appointed 16th President of Rollins College, for her first in-depth campus conversation. President Barnett brings decades of experience in higher education leadership, a journalist’s storytelling soul, and a deep commitment to inclusive, student-centered transformation.

Prior to joining Rollins in July 2025, Dr. Barnett served as Provost at Butler University, where she launched bold initiatives around student belonging, access, and institutional innovation. Her earlier work at Elon University included co-creating the nationally celebrated Center for Access and Success—a testament to her lifelong commitment to expanding educational opportunity.

In this episode, we explore:

• The leadership values she never compromises on
• How her background in journalism shapes her presidency
• What “belonging” really means on a college campus
• How Rollins can strengthen ties with Winter Park and the Greater Orlando community
• Her vision for faculty development, student life, and the transformative power of the liberal arts

We also talk about what excites her most about Rollins students—and the possibilities she sees for the college in the years ahead.

Whether you're a student, staff member, faculty colleague, alum, or trustee, this episode offers a powerful window into President Barnett’s leadership philosophy—and why she believes possibility lives at the heart of Rollins.

 Quick Notes:

• Who she is: 16th President of Rollins College, academic leader, former journalist and professor, mother of two, and an advocate for belonging and access in education.
• Past roles: Provost at Butler University, Senior Academic Leader at Elon University.
• Signature contributions: Center for Access and Success at Elon, a new two-year college at Butler, institutional efforts centered on equity, access, and innovation.
• Themes in this episode:
  • Storytelling as leadership
  • Belonging and transformation
  • Bridging academic and student life
  • Deepening community engagement with Winter Park
  • Faculty development and academic innovation
  • Leaning into possibility as a leadership ethic