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 administrators. While the faculty and administrators miss out on their students’ untapped knowledge, students likewise miss out on the knowledge, soft skills, and experience of their faculty and administrative leaders. Both sides are navigating power dynamics, insecurities, and communication barriers, all of which can lead to misunderstandings and limited engagement.
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
