The EdUp Experience: Vocation, Innovation, and Liberal Arts Education

Interview with Dr. Susan Rundell Singer, President of St. Olaf College

Episode Summary

In this insightful episode of The EdUp Experience podcast, host Dr. Joe Sallustio and guest co-host Dylan Fogarty from RISE Education interview Dr. Susan Rundell Singer, President of St. Olaf College, about holistic liberal arts education, vocation, and leading change in higher education.

About St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College, celebrating its 150th anniversary, is a residential liberal arts institution in Northfield, Minnesota, serving approximately 3,000 undergraduate students. With over 85 undergraduate majors and concentrations, St. Olaf is committed to providing accessible education - meeting the demonstrated financial need of its students, with 99% of students receiving some form of financial aid.

Key Insights:

Holistic Education and Vocation

Dr. Singer explains St. Olaf's approach to holistic education, which extends beyond the classroom into residential life, co-curricular activities, internships, and global learning experiences. She highlights their distinctive understanding of vocation:

"In some faith-based traditions, vocation is viewed as preparation to work in the clergy... We follow the thinking of Martin Luther, who democratized vocation. His position was we all have a vocation... We think about it as living life on purpose for the common good."

This Lutheran-informed perspective on vocation differs from conventional career preparation, focusing on meaningful contribution to society while still ensuring students develop both "timeless skills" (critical thinking, problem-solving) and "timely skills" (technical abilities for first jobs).

Balancing Innovation with Liberal Arts Tradition

When asked about keeping pace with rapid changes in knowledge and technology, Dr. Singer emphasizes St. Olaf's commitment to equipping students with both deep expertise and the ability to adapt:

"The value of a liberal arts education are the critical thinking skills that you acquire, problem solving, information literacy, lifelong learning. You know how to learn and you don't feel limited by the content or the current skill set you have."

She discusses their new strategic plan, "Solution Seekers," which focuses on innovation and design thinking. This includes transforming the library into an innovation hub with design studios to support student and faculty creativity.

Leading Change in Higher Education

Drawing on her diverse background as a biologist, professor, federal government administrator, and now college president, Dr. Singer shares her approach to leading change:

"What I wanted to learn was how do I support this community so we unleash the brilliance and the creativity of everybody."

She emphasizes the importance of listening to understand what people truly care about, celebrating their strengths, and finding alignment between individual passions and institutional goals. Dr. Singer notes that academic change happens most effectively at the departmental level and through partnerships with other institutions.

Addressing Faculty Resistance to Change

Dr. Singer offers thoughtful insights on why faculty may resist change:

"Your identity and your career blur in ways that they may not in other sectors. So when you suggest change, it's not just that... it gets to the core of who you are and then whether or not who you are is valued."

She advocates using cross-institutional networks to help academic departments see successful examples of change, making it easier to adopt new approaches.

Final Thoughts on Higher Education's Future

Despite challenges facing higher education, Dr. Singer maintains optimism:

"At times where it gets very challenging to move forward in higher education, I think

places like St. Olaf keep that bright light in the beacon burning... I truly believe we are a place, and I am optimistic there are many others in higher ed, that every day demonstrate the value of higher education as a public good."

She emphasizes that while higher education provides individual benefits, its role as a public good that prepares students for civic responsibilities and future leadership is equally important.

The EdUp Experience is a podcast that makes education your business, hosted by Dr. Joe Sallustio and Produced by Elvin Freytes.