In this episode of Candid Conversations on Leadership, we sit down with Dr. Danita Brown Young, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She shares her journey from aspiring mathematics teacher to a nationally recognized leader in student affairs. She discusses the evolving landscape of higher education, the importance of student well-being, and the role of integrity, flexibility, and collaboration in leadership.

Our conversation covers a wide variety of topics, including:

• Dr. Brown-Young’s Leadership Journey: From her first leadership role as a fifth-grade safety patrol captain to leading major student affairs divisions.

• The Importance of People-Centered Leadership: How her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to student success and holistic support.

• Work-Life Integration vs. Work-Life Balance: Viewing life like a diversified portfolio and the importance of grace in leadership.

• The Challenges of Leading in Higher Ed: Managing budgets, political headwinds, and student needs while maintaining institutional integrity.

• The Role of AI and Technology in Higher Education: The opportunities and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in student affairs and learning.

• Mental Health and Student Well-Being: How the university is supporting students holistically, reducing stigma, and providing resources for mental wellness.

• Crisis Management and Leadership Under Pressure: Navigating challenges such as student protests, strikes, and pandemic-related disruptions.

• Building Strong Teams and Organizational Culture: The importance of relationships, collaboration, and community-building in large organizations.

• Engaging with Students Effectively: Strategies for meeting students where they are and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making.

• • Advice for Aspiring Student Affairs Professionals: The rewards and challenges of the field and the importance of passion, dedication, and resilience.

  
  

  You can learn more about Dr. Brown Young at https://studentaffairs.illinois.edu/brown-young

In this episode, we welcome Dean Brooke Elliott of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Brooke shares her leadership journey, lessons learned, and the values that define her as a leader. From transparency and boldness to the importance of empathy, Brooke discusses how her leadership style has evolved over the years. She also opens up about the challenges of leading through change, balancing innovation with team readiness, and the impact of building diverse and inclusive teams. We dive into: - Brooke’s leadership philosophy and how it has evolved over time - The importance of transparency, boldness, and empathy in leadership - Lessons from transitioning into administrative roles and building consensus - Strategies for fostering inclusion and authenticity in leadership - How higher education leaders can embrace change and rethink the learner experience - The impact of mentorship and feedback on leadership growth - Maintaining focus, balance, and resilience in a demanding role - The personal and professional challenges that shaped her perspective, including overcoming health obstacles You can learning more about Dean Brooke Elliott at https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/profile/w-brooke-elliott

Chris and Candice dive into the complex topic of accountability and how they motivate themselves and their teams to be accountable. Working in an environment that doesn’t have a significant amount of extrinsic motivation, they work to build team cultures where people are intrinsically motivated to achieve success.

Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Senior Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

Chris and Candice discuss the benefits of attending professional conferences with a focus on the most recent EDUCAUSE Annual Conference. We dive into Brené Brown's keynote chat, the top issues facing higher ed, how to get the most out of a conference experience, and the importance of engaging with your professional community.

EDUCAUSE (https://www.educause.edu/) is a nonprofit association and the largest community of technology, academic, industry, and campus leaders advancing higher education through the use of IT.

Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Senior Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

Chris and Candice dive into the concept of feedback and how it’s a critical ingredient in healthy teams and organizations. Feedback is a gift to give and to receive when it is specific, timely, and delivered and received through a lens of growth and improvement. We talk about this feedback framework and model it in action.

Available on other podcast platforms at https://candidconversations.link/episode-8-building-a-culture-of-feedback/

Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

Candice and Chris take Candid Conversations on Leadership on the road with a live event at the University of Illinois IT Pro Forum on November 12, 2024. They answer a variety of questions from the UofI IT Community focused on leadership, resilience, stakeholder management, professional growth, mentorship, and coaching.

Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

Chris and Candice discuss the art of interviewing. We share our own experiences interviewing for jobs as well as what we look for when hiring. The conversation also includes a number of tips you can use during the interview process.

Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.

Candice and Chris discuss the core concept that leadership can occur at all levels of an organization or community, regardless of title or authority. Leadership at its essence is the ability to influence people to take action toward a common goal. We provide example from our own careers where we’ve demonstrated leadership and highlight the leadership of others that we’ve witnessed. We also share ideas for how to build leadership opportunities by building relationships, performing at a high level, and cultivating the art of storytelling. Candice and Chris are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.