A panel of senior higher education leaders gathered virtually on Friday to address what one moderator called a "critical transition" facing the field, as college closures, political pressures on diversity initiatives, and shifting institutional priorities displace thousands of administrators across the country.
The webinar, hosted by the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation, drew participants from across the United States and Canada. The session was moderated by Dr. Ainsley Carry, a former executive leader at a Canadian university who recently stepped down from his role to pursue a career redirection of his own.
“If you're fortunate enough to have a long career in college administration, at points during your career you've been asked to take on a new role," Carry said in opening remarks. "Sometimes the next move will happen, and you can't always control that."
The conversation was largely animated by an audience question that panelists described as emblematic of the current moment: a sitting vice president for student affairs whose institution is closing at the end of the semester reported struggling to secure interviews despite her active executive role.
“We don't know why a search committee pulls us forward or not," said Carry. "Make sure that what you're putting forward is that top-notch resume, cover letter, and it is aligned with the position description. It is not generic."
Dr. Erin Gilliam, who serves as vice provost for academic affairs and student academic progression at Albany State University and assumed the role just 62 days before the webinar, described leaving a smaller HBCU and facing the same perception problem. Her approach: direct outreach to institutional presidents and provosts.
"I have been interviewed at least three times because of my boldness," she said.
