The past academic year has not been a good one for college and university leaders. Leaders at all levels are responding to crises such as state-mandated changes to DEI policies, student and faculty protests of the enmeshment of institutional funds with the state of Israel and its military apparatus and the ongoing killing of Palestinians in Gaza, and financial worries stemming from changes in enrollment demographics. Not only are the issues to manage coming rapidly at leaders, but their responses are also undergoing deeper scrutiny from a broader swath of the public.
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
