Today’s higher education leaders share their stories and insights about leadership in the academy. Join host Jay Lemons and his guests for thoughtful conversations and interesting perspectives on leadership.
Leaders on Leadership is brought to you by Academic Search and the American Academic Leadership Institute, who together support colleges and universities during times of transition and through leadership development activities that serve current and future generations of institutional leaders. For more information, visit us at academicsearch.org.
Dr. Suzanne Smith, President of SUNY Potsdam, reflects on a leadership journey shaped by influential mentors and more than two decades at Washington State University Vancouver, where she arrived as the campus was being built from the ground up and rose from faculty member to academic director. A chance meeting with a textbook author at an undergraduate research conference led to a research lab invitation and, eventually, a call to fill in for her own departing professor at Erskine College—the moment she discovered a love of teaching she'd never expected. In this episode, Dr. Smith discusses how she uses CliftonStrengths and Winnie the Pooh personality types to build teams that complement rather than mirror each other, how she coaches "Eeyores," and why authenticity and emotional leadership matter more to her than projecting confidence.Dr. Suzanne Smith, President of SUNY Potsdam, reflects on a leadership journey shaped by influential mentors and more than two decades at Washington State University Vancouver, where she arrived as the campus was being built from the ground up and rose from faculty member to academic director. A chance meeting with a textbook author at an undergraduate research conference led to a research lab invitation and, eventually, a call to fill in for her own departing professor at Erskine College—the moment she discovered a love of teaching she'd never expected. In this episode, Dr. Smith discusses how she uses CliftonStrengths and Winnie the Pooh personality types to build teams that complement rather than mirror each other, how she coaches "Eeyores," and why authenticity and emotional leadership matter more to her than projecting confidence. Read the full episode transcript. Interview recorded June 2026.
4 Aug 2026
Dr. Mun Choi, President of the University of Missouri System
Dr. Mun Choi, President of the University of Missouri System, reflects on a leadership journey shaped by his family’s immigration from South Korea, a deep belief in the power of education, and mentors who encouraged him. In this episode, Dr. Choi discusses why curiosity and lifelong learning are essential for leaders, and why strategic vision must be matched by the ability to execute, communicate, and build a team capable of sustaining progress. He also speaks candidly about leading through periods of disruption, making difficult decisions in service of an institution’s long-term strength, and identifying leaders whose motivations are grounded in mission rather than personal advancement. Dr. Choi offers advice for aspiring leaders on taking thoughtful risks and reflects on higher education’s resilience amid demographic shifts, public skepticism, research uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Read the full episode transcript. Interview recorded June 2026.
9 Jul 2026
Randy Boyd, President of the University of Tennessee System
Randy Boyd, President of the University of Tennessee System, reflects on a leadership journey shaped by entrepreneurship, public service, and a lifelong commitment to expanding educational opportunity. A first-generation college graduate who began at the University of Tennessee at age 16, Boyd shares how early lessons in affordability, persistence, and failure informed his path from building PetSafe Brands to leading statewide initiatives such as Knox Achieves, Tennessee Promise, and UT Promise. In this episode, he discusses what nontraditional leaders can bring to higher education, the importance of listening deeply to the people an institution serves, and why access, affordability, and public value remain central to the future of higher education. He also reflects on building a One UT culture across campuses, leading with humility and transparency, and why higher education must more clearly demonstrate its value to individuals, communities, and society. Read the full episode transcript. Interview recorded April 2026.
Who has been a guest on Leaders on Leadership
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jonathan D Green
S Georgia Nugent
Paul Pribbenow
Elizabeth Mauch
Ora Hirsch Pescovitz
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
67
Host of Leaders on Leadership?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
