As academic leaders, we are under so much pressure to deliver—enrollment targets, strategic plans, graduation rates, AI policies, and on and on—that we can lose sight of what our students and institutions need to thrive. The good news is that this “secret ingredient” is free, nimble, and evidence based. Our research suggests that human relationships are key to students’ academic success and personal well-being. And the benefits extend to faculty and staff too.
Expertise, Credentials, and the Value of the University
It seems we can’t trust our own credentials or those that we provide to our students. Or perhaps it would be better to say that we have so much confidence
Constance C. Relihan
May 18, 2026
