Dr. Drumm McNaughton interviews Dr. Meredith Woo, president of Sweet Briar College, about the Sweet Briar Miracle, the college’s transformation using change management principles.
Podcast Highlights
- Sweet Briar College faced a major uphill climb after alumnae successfully pushed back the board of trustees’ decision to close the institution.
- The college had to find ways to address and change perceived challenges, including declining interest in a liberal arts education, waning enrollment by women in women’s colleges, and the institution’s location in a rural Virginia setting.
- The college’s leaders started their change initiative with major overhauls of the academic program, financial decision-making and budget.
- The second phase of this initiative involves creating a strong focus on women’s leadership that is integrated into the liberal arts curriculum and sustainability.
- The college grew enrollment by 42% after announcing the changes, and continues its growth to this day.
To see full show notes, visit https://changinghighered.com
Resources
Dr. Drumm McNaughton provides crisis management and transformation consulting services for higher ed institutions.
Links to Articles, Apps, or websites mentioned during the interview:
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The Change Leader’s Social Media Links:
Sponsor: Perdia Education
