On Campus, Off the Record

Rejection Is Part Of Leadership

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453942/fan_mail/new] What if the rejection that knocked you down was actually preparing you to lead? This one was recorded somewhere a little different — the middle of the Caribbean Sea, on a group vacation with our guest. Because sometimes the best conversations happen when you stop scheduling them. Dr. Darren Pierre is a lecturer in the Office of Global Engineering Leadership at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a preeminent scholar in higher education, leadership education, and student affairs. He is also the co-author of Considerations for Culturally Informed Leadership: Moving Toward the Future — a book designed to help the next generation of leaders navigate a global world with cultural fluency and genuine humility. In this conversation, Elizabeth and Darren cover a lot of ground: what it really means to be a leader (spoiler: it's not what the archetype says), why rejection belongs in the leadership story, the difference between change and transition, and why student affairs has had an attrition problem long before it became a political talking point. Darren also makes a case that will stick with you: leadership is a process, not a credential. And the slingshot matters just as much as the armor. On Campus, Off the Record. The meeting after the meeting. Find us on Buzzsprout: https://oncampusofftherecord.buzzsprout.com/ Resources: •       Darren Pierre's book: Considerations for Culturally Informed Leadership: Moving Toward the Future — co-authored with Dr. Kathy Guthrie. A framework for college-age leaders preparing to lead in a global world. •       Peter Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice — the leadership text Darren references in his classes. One of the most widely used leadership frameworks in higher education. •       Malcolm Gladwell's TED Talk: "The Unheard Story of David and Goliath" — the reframe Darren references on what it means to carry the underdog advantage into any room. •       William Bridges, Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes — the foundational text behind the change vs. transition distinction Elizabeth raises in the conversation. About the Guest https://www.darrenpierre.com/ Dr. Darren Pierre is a lecturer in the Office of Global Engineering Leadership at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a scholar in higher education, leadership education, and student affairs, and the co-author of Considerations for Culturally Informed Leadership: Moving Toward the Future. He has taught leadership seminars internationally, including at the University of Sydney, and has spent his career helping students — and the institutions that serve them — lead with cultural intelligence. About On Campus, Off the Record If you work in student housing, residence life, or higher education leadership, this show was made for you. On Campus, Off the Record is  the candid, peer-to-peer conversations that happen when the official channels go quiet. Hosted by Dr. Elizabeth Cox Find us on Buzzsprout: https://oncampusofftherecord.buzzsprout.com/

A Leadership Huddle: Focusing on the Fundamentals with Vennie Gore

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453942/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we sit down with Michigan State’s Executive Vice President of Administration, Vennie Gore. He leads a vast and diverse campus portfolio with a simple playbook: master the basics, align on what matters, and expand only when the team is ready. From the story behind his one-of-a-kind name to the 14 Golden Rules he wrote as a hall director—and still follows today—Vennie shows how consistency beats complexity in high-stakes operations. We unpack his “20-mile walk” for building alignment across units with different definitions of “the basics” and explore why a football season offers the perfect analogy for organizational maturity: start simple, earn trust through execution, then open the playbook. He also shares why he treats careers as portfolios, not ladders, and how pattern recognition helps leaders “slow down to hurry up.” Along the way, we dive into systems thinking through sports: why even “individual” sports like golf are deeply interdependent, how leaders switch hats between partner, supplier, customer, and vendor, and why emotional energy is a leader’s most contagious signal. Vennie makes the case for marrying student development theory with the business of higher education, building organizational readiness, and reducing unforced errors through direct communication, trust, humility, and a no-surprises culture. A grounded, practical guide for anyone steering large teams through long seasons.

Cabins to Communities: Lessons in Shared Living, Leadership, and Loss

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453942/fan_mail/new] A personal reflection on how summer camp experiences teach profound lessons about leadership, community living, and navigating loss. This solo episode explores how the simple act of sharing space shapes our ability to lead with care and presence during both ordinary moments and times of crisis. • Summer camp as the first experience of co-living – sharing everything from bathrooms to stories • Camp counselors as "lollipop leaders" who make impact through small, often forgotten moments • Leadership often looks like showing up consistently, not necessarily having all the answers • The power of ritualized connection through handwritten "chicken letters" and personal notes • Navigating transitions by acknowledging endings and making space for grief • Building resilience through community and practicing how to live alongside difference If we want stronger leaders, better neighbors, and more compassionate communities, we have to keep practicing how to live together. Let's honor the places and people who shaped us by how we show up for one another, especially in the hardest moments. If you would like to support the Texas Hill Country community after the devastating floods, considering giving to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. https://www.communityfoundation.net/

A Special Look at Leadership: A Conversation with the ACUHO-I President

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453942/fan_mail/new] Ever wonder what it takes to lead a major professional association while juggling a demanding day job? In this special mini-episode celebrating the ACUHO-I Annual Conference, we sit down with Kathy Hobgood, current ACUHO-I President and Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Enterprises at Clemson University. Kathy takes us behind the curtain of association leadership, revealing why professional organizations matter now more than ever. "How can we provide a place for people to come together and just be together, even if there's no answers?" she asks, highlighting the community-building function that remains crucial during challenging times in higher education. We explore ACUHO-I's three-pronged approach—community, education, and advocacy—that helps housing professionals navigate everything from budget crises to occupancy challenges. The conversation turns personal as Kathy shares her unexpected journey to leadership, including a pivotal conversation with a mentor who challenged her to serve her region before seeking national office. Her revelation about fundraising—"I used to think I was terrible at asking people for money. I'm going to find out I am shameless in the name of a good cause"—offers a powerful reminder that leadership roles often help us discover strengths we didn't know we had. For anyone attending the upcoming conference, Kathy's advice to be "as aggressively friendly as your personality type will allow" and to make time for industry partners even when not currently buying, provides a practical roadmap for making the most of professional development opportunities. Whether you're heading to Columbus for Campus Home Live or simply curious about the housing profession, this conversation offers valuable insights about professional growth, association leadership, and finding your people in higher education. Connect with us at the conference or share this episode with colleagues who might benefit from a little inspiration and practical wisdom!

No-Nonsense Leadership: A Conversation with Dr. Kim Harrington

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453942/fan_mail/new] Dr. Kim Harrington shares her award-winning 30-year career journey from residence hall director to executive leadership positions, exploring how authentic leadership and community building shape higher education. • Serving as a hall director provided the best leadership training ground by developing skills in crisis management, supervision, facilities oversight, and budget administration • Being invited as the commencement speaker at her alma mater SUNY Fredonia was a surprising honor that reconnected her with her higher education roots • Creating community is a consistent thread throughout her career - providing spaces where people feel supported, challenged, and able to develop • The chief of staff role requires building trust, demonstrating humility, and serving as an "honest broker" connecting different parts of the organization • Approaching organizational politics with authenticity rather than game-playing has allowed her to maintain integrity even during challenging institutional periods • Weathering 21 ethics complaints while leading HR taught valuable lessons about staying true to personal values • Leadership requires balancing supportive relationships with clear expectations and accountability Guest Biography:  Dr. Kim D. Harrington is a seasoned leader in higher education, bringing over 30 years of experience in shaping campus culture, driving strategic planning, and advancing inclusive leadership. Her tenure at Georgia Tech spans more than two decades, where she has served in key roles including Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief of Staff to the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, and most recently, Associate Vice President for Arts, Belonging, and Community. Throughout her career, Dr. Harrington has been deeply committed to student development, staff engagement, and organizational growth. Her leadership has consistently focused on building community through, mission-aligned environments that foster both excellence and belonging. Beyond campus, Dr. Harrington contributes her expertise through board service with organizations focused on education, governance, and child advocacy. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she continues her lifelong commitment to public service and community uplift. She has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the USG Chancellor’s Gold Service Excellence Leadership Award and the ACUI Butts-Whiting Award. As she prepares for retirement in 2025, her legacy continues through the newly established Dr. Kim D. Harrington Student Employee Scholarship at Georgia Tech.