Supporting Your School with Servant Leadership

As higher education continues to evolve and expand, the presidency of its institutions has become an increasingly demanding role. GradComm CEO Cheryl Broom sits down with Jeff Julian, Chief of Staff at Harper College and President of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations, to discuss the shifting landscape of higher ed leadership.

In this episode, Julian shares insights from his extensive background in communications, public awareness, and PR, and discusses the catch-all yet crucial function of the Chief of Staff role. While the structure and delegation of duties vary across institutions, he emphasizes that at its core, the role embodies servant leadership. Often serving as a trusted advisor and right-hand to the college president, Julian offers a second, unbiased perspective on key decisions. He also underscores the value of professional involvement and volunteerism, noting that leadership is built through experience, something he has honed through roles with NCMPR and the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship.

What You’ll Learn:

• What the Chief of Staff role looks like in a college setting
• Why servant leadership is foundational to effective executive support
• How volunteering can fast-track leadership development
• Insights into the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship
• Why communications professionals are uniquely positioned for executive roles

Thanks for listening!

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