On page 76, of all the qualities listed there, which do you most value in your university president and why?
– Out of all the qualities listed on page 76, I most value accountability. I value this over the other qualities mainly because if one is accountable they can be trusted to help with change. In looking from an sustainable campus perspective, it would be nice to have accountability, as promises or initiatives are always made, yet the timelines to which those projects follow are normally skewed. Having an accountable president would, in my opinion, allow for more projects to be completed.
Dr. Thomashow uses the word Anthropocene. What is your understanding/interpretation of the word and what implications do you think it represents?
– Thomashow writes on page 80: “We live in a planetary environment, often referred to as the Anthropocene, in which human action profoundly changes the ecological, evolutionary, geological, oceanic, and atmospheric dynamics of the earth system”. My understanding of this word is that it holds a large amount of weight, as it describes how humanity has completely changed every ecosystem that makes up the Earth. The implications I feel it represents are that we as a human species must change our ways or continue to suffer the consequences of our actions.
What leadership qualities can you exhibit to spark transformational change?
– The main qualities I can exhibit as a leader are an ability to unit people in an understanding of an issue. From this, I would need to fully understand the issue we are attempting to change, along with being able to see the issue from every perspective.
What dichotomies do you most relate to on pages 95-99 and why?
– I feel that I relate most to the dichotomies boldness and compainsion. If I want something done, I will do anything it takes to get it done. In cases where I am fighting for some change, my actions are swift and effective. Yet I never push an action on another person if I don’t fully believe it in, as you must understand the entirety of the issue, seeing it from every persons perspective
What questions remain for you about university governance specifically, or leadership in general, after reading this chapter? How might you find the answers to your questions?
– The only question I really have after reading this chapter is how my leadership can hold longevity. To be a leader is one thing, yet to be a long lasted leader is another. I can find these answers through experience, whether that be leading the cross country team to a championship next year or taking on a leadership role for my summer research with Dr. Perlut.
