In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, Prof. Ana Mari Cauce reflects on her decade-long presidency at the University of Washington, exploring how authenticity, values, and a commitment to both diversity and free speech guided her leadership through turbulent times.

Topics include:

• The journey from "reluctant administrator" to transformative university president
• Why diversity is not the enemy of excellence and the importance of remaining authentic in leadership roles
• Navigating free speech controversies on campus, including the painful personal connection to her brother's death in the Greensboro Massacre
• How today's campus protests differ from previous eras in their coordination and destructiveness
• The broken compact between government and academia that threatens research progress
• Rebuilding public trust in higher education by creating space for debate and addressing affordability
• The importance of place and staying at one institution to build something meaningful
• Future plans for writing about higher education and fostering greater cooperation among universities

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In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, host Rafael Bras speaks with Prof Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland, New Zealand. The conversation covers Prof Freshwater’s unique journey, from leaving school early to becoming a prominent academic leader across multiple continents. They delve into the challenges of higher education; the importance of fairness and justice; the effects of politicization on research; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); the role of universities in contemporary society; and leadership qualities in times of global crises. Prof Freshwater also reflects on her motivations, values and the critical importance of moral courage in leadership.

Topics include:

• Meet Prof Dawn Freshwater: A journey across continents
• Early life and influences
• Challenges and triumphs in mental health
• Gender equity and mentorship
• Facing discrimination and cultural differences
• The role of education in society
• Global research and collaboration
• Navigating institutional neutrality
• Leadership in challenging times

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Academic leaders engage in a candid exploration of higher education's role in society, examining how universities can better articulate their value while staying true to their missions amidst rapid technological and social change.

• The relationship between academia and private industry through the lens of Jurassic Park, where university research prioritizes public good over profit
• Universities as places where humanity is remembered through the integration of sciences, arts, and humanities
• The challenge of maintaining truth and facts in an era of misinformation, with arts education fostering necessary nuance
• The critical need to better communicate university research impacts to the general public
• Addressing affordability concerns by explaining the difference between sticker price and actual cost of attendance
• Moving beyond traditional metrics and rankings to measure what truly matters based on institutional mission
• The unique challenges of keeping pace with accelerating knowledge development while maintaining focus on institutional purpose

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