In this episode of the Innovating Together podcast, host Bridget Burns and cohost Doug Lederman from Inside Higher Ed sit down with Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera, the President of Northern Arizona University. With a unique career path that spans leadership roles in Puerto Rico, California, and New York, President Cruz Rivera reflects on his unexpected journey to the presidency, sharing insights from his time at institutions like Cal State Fullerton, Lehman College, and the City University of New York. His story provides valuable lessons for leaders in higher education, illustrating the power of mentorship, adaptability, and embracing challenges along the way.

Sponsored by Mainstay and Carnegie Corporation of New York. #innovatingtogether

00:00 Introduction
01:56 Journey to be College President
04:29 Leadership Style Influences
08:32 Surprising Career Aspects
11:42 The Critic Vs Campus Leader
15:43 Shifting Attitudes in Higher Ed
17:38 Proudest Career Accomplishments
19:19 Best Career Advice
22:05 Advice Given Most
23:16 Leadership Book Recommendations

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The University Innovation Alliance is a multicampus laboratory for student success innovation that helps university leaders dramatically accelerate the implementation of scalable solutions to increase the number and diversity of college graduates.

Founded in 2014 by a group of pioneering university chancellors and presidents committed to breaking down silos to collaboration and testing, sharing, and scaling ideas that can help more students succeed, our members span the geographic diversity of the US and enroll over 450,000 students, 170,000 of whom are students of color and 140,000 of whom are Pell recipients.

Most importantly, our campuses have increased our lowincome graduates since 2014 by 46% and our graduates of color by 85%, as well as having graduated an additional 97,000 students overall.

#HigherEducation