Today’s chief academic officers are uniquely positioned to help their colleges build and take full advantage of their most important asset—a differentiated curriculum that is valued by the marketplace. Doing so, in many cases, will not be easy. It will require careful analysis, certainty of purpose, and demonstrated political support. At the same time, those who do not recognize the need to take the lead on these issues will miss a tremendous opportunity to move their institutions forward.
Reciprocity over Hierarchy: Designing and Implementing a Student-Led Reverse Mentoring Program
Many academic leaders, including administrators and faculty members, participate in traditional mentoring programs that prioritize hierarchy. But these programs typically don’t foster engagement and connection between students and faculty or
Marquita Lyons-Smith and Keva Suitte
October 19, 2026
