Interview with Georgia State University President Mark Becker

Today we’re talking with Georgia State University President Mark Becker.  Getting ready to leave the presidency this summer, President Becker shares his perspective looking back.  He says change is a slow process, and it’s hard to imagine who he was twelve and a half years ago.   He does know that he has a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the complexity of these roles.  President Becker would say he’s much less judgmental.  To prepare for a role such as the presidency, President Becker says there’s a lot you can do from reading books and higher ed publications to taking short courses.  He says it’s important to seek out education wherever you can.

President Becker warns that the presidency is not for people that think it’s all about the title, awards, etc.  If you want to help your institution continue to evolve and adapt you have to have courage of your own convictions.  President Becker came to GSU with plans for big changes.  He had watched other urban, private institutions evolve with the city and wanted to know if GSU could do the same.  He reminds that with certain levels of status comes fear of taking risks.  You need a different type of mindset if you’re to lead big change.  You can’t have negative thinking and focus on what you can’t do.  President Becker had $40 million in cuts in his first year but still managed to do so much by making strategic investments.  He says he’s comfortable with change and in order for higher ed to achieve the best possible results people have to get out of their comfort zones.

Especially in the last year with the pandemic there have been a lot of balls in the air President Becker says.  You have to be able to manage them all and execute on all fronts at all times.  President Becker says to not get too fixated on any one thing and keep the forward progress.  There will always be people that have negative things to say about how higher education does things.  To this President Becker says that they don’t know the political side of campus, the city, the state, or the competition for resources.  He says 99/100 the speculators are way off base.  It always amazes him when he knows the truth and the disconnect is so huge.