21st Century Leadership & Credentialing

Meredith Woo reflects on the demands of academic leadership, urging aspiring leaders to stay grounded in mission, act with courage, and embrace collaboration. She highlights the challenge of balancing diverse stakeholder needs while avoiding reactive, prestige-driven decisions. Woo emphasizes the importance of retraining faculty to adapt to workforce demands and technological change—without compromising academic values. She also addresses the rise of alternative credentials, noting that if universities fail to meet evolving learner needs, others will fill the gap.