About This Episode
Join host Melissa Morriss-Olson for an extraordinary conversation with Dr. Danielle Wilken, President of the University of Bridgeport, as she shares her remarkable journey from a 20-year career at Goodwin University to leading one of higher education's most compelling turnaround stories. This episode offers rare insights into transformational leadership, authentic communication, I don't know which one is this Danielle is 16and the delicate balance of executive leadership and motherhood.
About Our Guest
Dr. Danielle Wilken serves as President of the University of Bridgeport, where she has led a dramatic institutional transformation since 2021. Prior to her presidency, she spent nearly two decades at Goodwin University, risingthrough the ranks to become Provost and developing her expertise in Universal Design for Learning. Her leadership philosophy centers on transparent communication, collaborative decision-making, and the belief that educationserves as a pathway to transforming lives, families, and communities.
Key Themes Explored
The Power of Long-Term Institutional Commitment Danielle discusses her unusual 20-year tenure at Goodwin University and how deep institutional knowledge andrelationship-building prepared her for transformational leadership. She challenges the conventional wisdom of frequent career moves in higher education and explains why mission-driven commitment often creates more effective leaders than title-chasing advancement.
Building Trust Through Transparent Communication The conversation explores how Danielle established trust during the complex partnership between GoodwinUniversity and University of Bridgeport, including the challenging bi-weekly town halls during the transition period. She shares specific strategies for maintaining honesty while navigating uncertainty and how transparency became the foundation for cultural transformation.
Innovation Through Inclusive Leadership Learn about the "UB Shark Tank" initiative where faculty and staff pitch ideas directly to cabinet leadership, and discover how this approach has generated concrete results including student-ledcompanies, new athletic programs, and revenue-generating academic initiatives. Danielle explains how decentralized innovation creates buy-in and surfacesopportunities that senior leadership might otherwise miss.
Universal Design for Learning as Institutional Philosophy Danielle shares her passion for Universal Design for Learning, explaining how this pedagogical approach movesbeyond labeling students to leveraging their individual assets. The discussion reveals how UDL principles have influenced not just curriculum design but institutional culture and decision-making processes.
Authentic Leadership and Work-Life Integration In one of the most candid discussions about executive leadership and motherhood, Danielle addresses the myth thatwomen can "have it all" simultaneously. She shares practical insights about managing competing priorities, building goodwill with family members, and using authenticity as a leadership strength rather than vulnerability.
The Legacy of Mentorship and Family Influence The episode includes touching reflections on how daily conversations with her father shaped Danielle's leadership approach and decision-making process. She also discusses being mentored by three women leaders at Goodwin and how observing different leadership styles helped her develop her own authentic approach.
Leadership Lessons
This conversation offers valuable insights for current and aspiring leaders about the importance of presence over administrative isolation, the power of listening and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas, and the necessity of celebrating wins while navigating ongoing challenges. Danielle's approach demonstrates how vulnerability and authenticity can become leadership superpowers when combined with clear vision and consistent execution.