How Wood-Decaying Fungi Help Forests Recycle Minerals
Discovering the Hidden World Beneath Our Feet When most people walk through a forest, they notice the towering trees, the rustle of leaves, and maybe the smell of damp earth. Few stop to think about what’s happening beneath the surface, in the soil and in the decaying wood scattered across the forest floor. For me, […]
Science Isn’t Just for Scientists: Why Every Student Deserves Scientific Literacy
When most people think of science, they picture white lab coats, microscopes, and complex equations. I used to be one of those people. But over the years, both as a biologist and an educator, I’ve realized that science isn’t confined to labs or research journals—it’s a way of thinking that everyone benefits from, whether you’re […]
From Soil to Solutions: What Farming and Biology Taught Me About Systems Thinking
When people find out that I’m both a biologist and someone who has spent plenty of time behind a chainsaw, in a garden, or knee-deep in compost, they often ask how those worlds connect. At first glance, science and farming might seem like different skill sets. But in reality, they share the same foundation: systems […]
Building Trust Through Transparency: How Financial Decisions Reflect an Institution’s Values
Trust is one of the most important currencies a college president can hold, but it’s also one of the most fragile. In community colleges—where students, faculty, staff, and the wider public are all watching carefully—trust is earned not through lofty mission statements, but through action. And one of the most visible ways trust is built—or […]
Small Colleges, Big Responsibility: Community Colleges as Guardians of Local Wellbeing
Community colleges don’t always make national headlines. We’re not usually the focus of splashy rankings or big-time sports coverage. But in countless towns across America, we are lifelines. We are often the heart of the community—quietly but powerfully shaping lives, guiding futures, and supporting local wellbeing in ways that go far beyond academics. I’ve had […]
Leading with Purpose: Aligning Faculty Passion with Institutional Vision
One of the most rewarding parts of my career in higher education has been working alongside faculty. I’ve served in the classroom, in labs, and in leadership roles—and across all of those experiences, I’ve seen that when faculty are empowered to pursue what they love, amazing things happen for students and institutions alike. At the […]
Rural Colleges, Real Impact: How Small Institutions Can Lead Big Change
When people talk about higher education, they often picture large universities, bustling campuses, and big-city institutions with thousands of students and massive endowments. But the truth is, some of the most meaningful, transformative work in education is happening in places that don’t often make national headlines. It’s happening in small towns. It’s happening in rural […]