Three years ago, Washington College, like almost every other liberal arts institution in the country, faced some real and perhaps even existential threats. Beyond the overwhelming challenge that the COVID pandemic brought to these schools, Washington College was also facing significant budget shortages, enrollment drops, and the after-effects of almost ten years of troubling leadership turnovers. The pressure on its board of trustees was acute as its members and the school’s faculty set about appointing a new college president in late 2021.
With the appointment of Mike Sosulski as the 31st president of the 10th oldest college in America, Washington College put its faith in a scholar and proven administrator whose lifelong devotion to the value of higher education is evident in his vision for honoring the liberal arts while driving the necessary improvements and innovations needed for a small college in the 21st century.
Beyond the immediate task of surviving the pandemic, Sosulski had to build a new leadership team, end an enrollment slump, and improve town-gown relations.
By all accounts, Sosulski has not only accomplished those objectives but has also done so by strengthening trust and culture. Washington College now has a $350 million endowment, a dramatically improved enrollment forecast, a well-seasoned leadership team, and a sophisticated long-term plan for remaining relevant and sustainable for decades.
Given the uniqueness of this kind of success story, the Spy turned to commentator Craig Fuller, an expert on presidential leadership, having worked for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W.H. Bush in the White House, to use our long-form interview format to chat with President Sosulski about this dramatic shift for Washington College and his vision for the school as higher education enters perhaps its most challenging era.
This video is approximately 20 minutes in length. For more information about Washington College please go here. For a more in depth profile of Mike Sosulski please go here.
Peter L Woicke says
It is indeed wonderful that Washington College had this turnaround under its new President Sosulski.
Yet it is still amazing that Mr. Fuller never asked a question or at least touched on the subject of “ Free Speech” which has become a major issue in our colleges, with congressional hearings, two heads of major colleges resigning over the issue and an issue even Washington College had to confront.
Jonathon Powers says
Dear Editor:
Thank you for the excellent article I’m watching in college. I was drawn to your comment “after 10 years of troubling leadership“. Would you care to expand upon that?
Thank you.
Jon Powers
George DeSimone says
Mike and Craig presented an exciting and enlightening Washington College. As an “Old Guard” graduate of another esteemed Liber arts college, Washington and Jefferson College, I have followed the struggles, these institutions have faced and for the most part conquered.
And for the most part conquered.
I certainly appreciate this type of intelligent and bounced dialogue. I wish Mike and Washington College continued success!