Interview with WSCUC President, Jamienne S. Studley

Today we’re talking with WASC and WSCUC President, Jamienne S. Studley.  She’s worn many hats, from being a civil rights and education lawyer to a senior official in the Obama administration.  President Studley describes herself as mission-driven and says the job of education is excellence and humanity, with quality and equity being priorities as well.  She says the hardest position she’s held was as a college president because it’s a singular spot that receives a lot of focus and attention.  There’s a certain amount of isolation to the presidency, and she values the teamwork that came with working for the Department of Education.  

The year 2020 was a difficult one, but President Studley has found the silver linings.  People are more able to see the needs of students and are rolling up their sleeves to get things done.  She’s also noticed that people are finding and embracing the need to collaborate.  Her leadership in particular has evolved as a result.  She’s been reminded that people are hungry for clarity.  President Studley says she tends to think big and broad, and while people do want the big picture, they also need to know the steps, the specifics.  

When it comes to the best advice she has received, President Studley says that it is to be very clear about what matters and repeat it over and over again.  The advice she most gives to others is usually with regard to picking jobs.  She says to choose based on purpose, people, and the part you want to play.  Some advice she has trouble taking is to give people room and let them fail.  She also admits having a hard time with spending money to staff up the people needed and not worrying so much about the bottom line.  

President Studley just came back from her first in-person event in over a year, and she was impressed that the event organizers found ways to keep attendees safe.  Studley says people came with a lot of ideas, and she was amazed at how much being in-person matters.  She usually defines herself as an extrovert but found her inner introvert through her time away.  Furthermore, Studley discovered that her balance of people-time and reflection-time has changed a bit.  She has a need to hear other people and their ideas, and she says it is different in person.