Interview with UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski

“I have never been more excited,” said UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski in a recent Weekly Wisdom interview with UIA Executive Director Bridget Burns and Inside Higher Ed Editor and Co-Founder Doug Lederman. Dr. Hrabowski was reflecting on his plans to retire in June 2022 after thirty years as president of UMBC.  He is excited because the University is doing so well. Students, faculty, and staff are excelling and are sustaining UMBC’s supportive community, and the legislature is continuing to invest in higher education across the state. His next chapter will involve talking about the UMBC model, and further supporting the success of all students, with leaders across the country.

Bridget asked Dr. Hrabowski to share the most surprising thing about his career. He shared, “The challenges of humankind are always there. You have the same feelings you had when you were 25 or 30. The other part is the wonderful experience of drawing on life to help you get through the next period. And most important, the few words we give to people of encouragement can make a big difference. I’ve seen that over and over again. How do we support each other as we go through these challenging times? We connect to other people. We either elevate them or bring them down.”

Doug asked, “What skills and attributes do future presidents need to have?” Dr. Hrabowski responded with authenticity, honesty, and humility. He shared the importance of being “humble enough to own mistakes and know when we need help. We are going through a period of time when people are questioning the truth. Optimism says we can be realistic, but we can get through this.”

“Is there anything you recommend people do to help them be successful in their career?” Bridget asked. Dr. Hrabowski responded, “I talk about one's health: physical, emotional, mental health.” He acknowledged leadership positions can be stressful. He has seen what happens to leaders who did not take care of themselves physically or mentally. “We need to take the time to look at everything from nutrition to physical health to having people to talk to about the challenges that affect one's mental state. The more secure one is, the more one can say, ‘I need help’ given what we go through.”

Active listening is something Dr. Hrabowski has learned through the course of his career. As a young college president, he felt an expectation to be at the center of conversations and always have something illuminating to say. But over time he came to focus on asking questions, listening, and bringing in new voices. That active listening approach became core to his leadership style and how he mentors emerging leaders. He appreciates the phrase, “smile more, talk less.”

Discussing the broader national landscape, he noted the important role of colleges and universities in helping people learn how to understand different points of view and be comfortable with discomfort. These skills, he suggests, will help our future leaders productively communicate across differences and collaborate to solve our biggest challenges.

Bridget was curious about the things Dr. Hrabowski will miss at UMBC. He said, “I will miss walking around the campus, hearing people speak French to me… being in the midst of it.”

He also shared helpful advice he heard years ago from civic leader and philanthropist Walter Sondheim, who told him, “Live life seriously, but don’t take it seriously.”

Change is bittersweet, he summarized, but laughter and an optimistic attitude help leaders connect in a meaningful way to other people. He closed the interview with one of his favorite phrases: “Keep hope alive!”