From Seminary to Systems: What Shaped This National Higher Ed Leader?

2025-10-01

How do you lead when the rules keep changing, and you’re not even on the field? That’s the question this week as Start the Week with Wisdom welcomes Rob Anderson, President of SHEEO (State Higher Education Executive Officers Association). In a moment where campus leaders face overwhelming complexity, Rob opens a window into the headspace of the often-misunderstood university system leader, those working behind the scenes to bridge policy, politics, and student outcomes.Hosts Bridget Burns (University Inn...

How do you lead when the rules keep changing, and you’re not even on the field?

That’s the question this week as Start the Week with Wisdom welcomes Rob Anderson, President of SHEEO (State Higher Education Executive Officers Association). In a moment where campus leaders face overwhelming complexity, Rob opens a window into the headspace of the often-misunderstood university system leader, those working behind the scenes to bridge policy, politics, and student outcomes.

Hosts Bridget Burns (University Innovation Alliance) and Sarah Custer (Inside Higher Ed) sit down with Rob for a deeply human and surprisingly personal conversation. From his time at a military college to pursuing seminary, serving at a small faith-based college, and ultimately stepping into state policy leadership, Rob shares what drew him into a life of service and leadership, and how he's managed to stay grounded through it all.

They talk about:

The disconnect between campus and system leaders, and how to close the gap

What most people get wrong about higher ed policy work

How empathy and humility shape real leadership

Why taking things personally is a fast track to burnout

How system leaders protect campuses more than they’re given credit for

Takeaways:

Seminary training can shape policy leadership in powerful, unexpected ways.

System leaders are not “the cops”, they’re often the shield.

Collaboration between campus and system is essential for student success.

Don’t underestimate the quiet strength in not taking yourself too seriously.

Today’s leaders must “collabicate”, collaborate + communicate with empathy.

“I try not to take myself too seriously, but understand what I do contribute.” - Rob Anderson

If this conversation reshaped how you see higher ed leadership, share this episode with a colleague, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a dose of wisdom.

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This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

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