President Barnett Featured on Higher Ed Leaders Podcast

In this episode of the Higher Ed Leaders podcast, host Suzan Brinker interviews Brooke Barnett as she approaches her formal inauguration as the 16th president of Rollins College. Barnett shares her unexpected journey into higher education leadership, noting that her background as a journalist and documentary filmmaker deeply instilled a passion for storytelling and amplifying diverse community voices.

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the Innovation Triangle, a strategic initiative at Rollins designed to merge existing institutional assets into a synergistic economic and educational ecosystem. This framework links the Alfond Inn—a unique, campus-owned boutique hotel whose net profits directly fund student scholarships—with two new facilities across the street: the Rollins Museum of Art and the Rick Goings Institute for Management and Executive Leadership. Grounded in the liberal arts, the institute offers executive education and consulting on contemporary challenges like artificial intelligence readiness, team feedback, and navigating family business dynamics.

Barnett also addresses the modern challenges facing higher education. She strongly advocates for the enduring value of a liberal arts education, arguing that it suffers from a public relations issue rather than a lack of evidence. She emphasizes that the liberal arts cultivate essential human skills—such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and intellectual agility—which are crucial for navigating an AI-driven workforce. Rejecting the idea that institutional mission and market forces are mutually exclusive, she frames higher education as a non-profit business that requires financial health and alternate revenue streams to preserve affordability, expand student access, and deliver a high-quality campus experience.

Reflecting on her transition, Barnett advises aspiring leaders to embrace a “beginner's mindset” by actively listening and deeply learning the unique cultural context of their new institution.

Listen to the full podcast here.