Hosts welcome Dr. Faran Saeed, Director of the Murseel J. Lee Scholars Program at the University of Wisconsin and former Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the university's Global and International Division. Dr. Saeed shares his leadership journey, from shifting career paths in undergrad to navigating the complexities of DEI work in higher education. He offers powerful insights into values-driven leadership, crisis management, and the importance of centering impacted communities. Through his experiences—including the defining moment of the 2017 Charlottesville crisis—Dr. Saeed provides actionable strategies for leading with integrity, preparing for resistance, and fostering inclusive environments in higher education.
Hosts welcome Dr. Faran Saeed, Director of the Murseel J. Lee Scholars Program at the University of Wisconsin and former Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the university's Global and International Division. Dr. Saeed shares his leadership journey, from shifting career paths in undergrad to navigating the complexities of DEI work in higher education. He offers powerful insights into values-driven leadership, crisis management, and the importance of centering impacted communities. Through his experiences—including the defining moment of the 2017 Charlottesville crisis—Dr. Saeed provides actionable strategies for leading with integrity, preparing for resistance, and fostering inclusive environments in higher education.
Guest Name: Faran Saeed, Director of the Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program at the University of Wisconsin
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faransaeed/
Guest Bio: Faran Saeed (He/Him/His) holds a PhD in Language, Equity, and Educational Policy from Oregon State University, and holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Louisiana State University College of Education. He currently serves as the Director of the Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program and previously as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he oversaw all aspects of global DEI within the International Division. Before working at the University of Wisconsin, he oversaw the Ettihad Cultural Center. This center supports students, faculty, and staff from the North African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian communities at Oregon State University. Furthermore, he served as the IMPACT Conference Board of Directors chair. In the past, he has sat on the NASPA leadership team of the Spirituality and Religion Knowledge Community and was part of the Board of Directors of Convergence, A national organization focused on enhancing institutional climates for religious, secular, and spiritual identities through policy and practice. Before returning to graduate school to pursue his doctorate, he worked for several years at Madison House, the student volunteer and community engagement center at the University of Virginia as the Director of Community Engagement. Additionally, Faran has experience in doing strategic planning, higher education assessment, and developing social justice curriculums.
Dr. Faran Saeed’s career trajectory began with a passion for science, but he soon realized his true calling was in student support and community advocacy. As a first-generation Muslim and South Asian student, he recognized the lack of representation in higher education leadership roles. This realization led him to transition from biochemistry to student affairs, where he found purpose in supporting underrepresented students.
At Louisiana State University, he confronted the challenges of limited diversity in leadership and almost left higher ed due to lack of representation. However, a conversation with peers solidified his commitment to staying in the field. Over time, his work evolved from community engagement to a broader focus on multicultural affairs and DEI, ultimately leading him to leadership roles at Oregon State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Saeed emphasized the importance of leading with values, particularly in supervisory roles. He prioritizes critical reflection on systemic inequities, ensuring that every programmatic decision—from event planning to student advising—aligns with a commitment to equity. He also stressed the importance of relational leadership, building strong connections with colleagues, students, and community partners to drive meaningful change.
His leadership at the Murseel J. Lee Scholars Program reflects this values-driven approach. With a focus on supporting historically disadvantaged students, he has worked to enhance mentorship opportunities, financial accessibility, and strategic partnerships to improve student outcomes. By incorporating student feedback into programming decisions, his team fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion.
One of the most pivotal moments in Dr. Saeed’s career occurred in 2017 during the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, while he was at the University of Virginia. The crisis highlighted deep systemic failures in institutional responses to racial violence and forced him to reevaluate his role as a leader.
In the immediate aftermath, he implemented a crisis response strategy that prioritized safety, communication, and community support. Key actions included:
This experience reshaped his leadership philosophy, reinforcing the necessity of centering impacted communities, recognizing power dynamics, and making decisions that prioritize long-term equity over short-term appeasement.
Dr. Saeed shed light on the role of power dynamics in institutional decision-making. He highlighted how university leadership often faces conflicting priorities—balancing donor relations, political considerations, and student advocacy. These tensions can create resistance to bold DEI initiatives.
To navigate these challenges, he emphasized the need for:
Dr. Saeed outlined several steps that higher ed leaders can take to prepare for and respond to challenges:
To sustain himself in emotionally demanding work, Dr. Saeed prioritizes self-care through reading. After completing his PhD, he rekindled his love for books, reading over 50 in just five months. He balances heavy academic and activist texts with fiction that brings him joy, creating a sense of balance. His self-care routine also includes daily walks while listening to audiobooks, ensuring that he stays mentally and emotionally grounded.