After Further Consideration

Ep. 4: The Hard Choices of Higher Ed Leadership

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Kris Renn shares her extensive journey in higher education, discussing her roles in student affairs and academic affairs. She reflects on pivotal leadership moments, including a significant student protest, and the challenges of navigating crises in leadership. Dr. Renn discusses the importance of tenure as both a privilege and a duty, reflecting on her role in addressing crises, including leadership turnover and governance issues. She offers insights on balancing equity and shared governance and highlights the importance of preparing the next generation of higher education leaders with intentionality.

Episode Notes

• Leadership isn't just about holding a title—it's about leveraging privilege to advocate for systemic changes.
• Navigating the emotional and professional complexities of working in student affairs and academic administration can shape one's leadership philosophy.
• Tenured faculty have to speak out on institutional failures, particularly in times of crisis.
• Equity in higher education requires reshaping the systems, not just "throwing life jackets" to individuals.

In this episode, Dr. Kris Renn shares her extensive journey in higher education, discussing her roles in student affairs and academic affairs. She reflects on pivotal leadership moments, including a significant student protest, and the challenges of navigating crises in leadership. Dr. Renn discusses the importance of tenure as both a privilege and a duty, reflecting on her role in addressing crises, including leadership turnover and governance issues. She offers insights on balancing equity and shared governance and highlights the importance of preparing the next generation of higher education leaders with intentionality.

Guest Name: Kris Renn 

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-renn-062b4116/

Guest Bio: Dr. Kristen Renn is a Professor of Higher, Adult, & Lifelong Education (HALE) and Mildred B. Erickson Distinguished Chair emerita at Michigan State University. She teaches courses on student development, diversity, and education research in the Student Affairs Administration MA and HALE MA/PhD programs. From 2013 to 2024, she served as Associate Dean and Senior Advisor to the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education. Dr. Renn’s research focuses on student success, identity development, mixed-race students, women’s higher education globally, and LGBTQ issues. Supported by grants from the Spencer Foundation and others, she has led initiatives to increase success for low-income and underrepresented students. A past president of the Association for the Study of Higher Education, she has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of College Student Development and received multiple awards, including MSU’s William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award in 2024.