In conversation with Lisa Sullivan, Mount Holyoke College

05/14/24 • 26 min

Dr. Lisa Sullivan is Provost and Dean of Faculty, Mount Holyoke College, and has been in her role since July 2022. She previously served for six years as Vice President for Academic Affairs and the R. Michael Shanahan Dean of the Faculty at Harvard Mudd College, as well as a Professor of Economic History.

“The opportunity to hear those different voices, to make them visible in processes that have garnered trust...it’s a critical element for institutional improvement.”

Dr. Sullivan shares her experiences in helping to drive institution-wide changes that shape and support culture, as well as ensuring different voices are involved in the change process. She reflects on stepping into the role of provost when new to the institution, how to support a new generation of leaders in the face of changing demands, and more.

Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
About Dr. Lisa Sullivan

“The opportunity to hear those different voices, to make them visible in processes that have garnered trust...it’s a critical element for institutional improvement.”

Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
About Dr. Lisa Sullivan

Previous Episode

In conversation with Dr. Beau Breslin, Skidmore College

Dr. Beau Breslin is Professor of Government at Skidmore College, where he has spent most of career and held the position Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs between 2011-2018.
“You have to be a good listener. You have to be empathetic. These are the things that build credibility and build political capital.”

Dr. Breslin shares his perspectives from his time in the role as Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, including his thoughts about addressing resistance to change, being nimble, how nonacceptance of an idea can ultimately lead to better outcomes, and more.

Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.
About Dr. Beau Breslin

Next Episode

In conversation with Dr. Susan Carlson, University of California, Davis

Dr. Susan Carlson is Professor Emerita, University of California, Davis and Vice Provost Emerita, UC Office of the President, where she served in the role of Vice Provost from 2010 to 2022. Prior to joining UC, Dr. Carlson was Associate Provost for Faculty Advancement and Diversity for almost 10 years at Iowa State University.

“You’re changing culture in this work, and you’re often redefining academic priorities. There’s a lot of sensitivity when you raise issues of maybe everything’s not right.”

With more than 20 years in leadership positions, Dr. Carlson shares how she was able to advance efforts to build diverse faculty at universities. She focuses on the importance of both policy and funding to ensure sustainable change, as well as how building a network has been valuable in contributing to her achievements.

Dr. Pat Farrell, former provost at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Lehigh University, hosts this five-part series on leading through change in higher education.

COACHECast - In conversation with Lisa Sullivan, Mount Holyoke College

Transcript

COACHECast
S. Ep. 4 // Dr. Lisa Sullivan, Provost and Dean of Faculty, Mount
Holyoke College
// Intro //
Pat: Hi everyone, I'm Dr. Pat Farrell. You're listening to COACHECast. Today
I'm thrilled to be speaking with Mount Holyoke College Provost and Dean of
Faculty, Lisa Sullivan.
Lisa: There are a variety of different kinds of commitments in different ways.
And there's a moment in which they all become visible simultaneously.
Anecdotes are very powerful. They fe