In this inspiring episode of IngenioUs, host Melissa Morriss-Olson sits down with Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls, the 14th—and only the second woman—president of Washington & Jefferson College. With over twodecades of leadership experience and a powerful personal story shaped by trailblazing women mentors, Dr. MacLeod Walls offers a compelling vision for the future of liberal arts education.
From her early aspirations as a faculty member to her discovery of a natural strength for administration, Elizabeth shares how resilience, optimism, and a sense of urgency have shaped her leadership. She opens up about navigating gendered expectations, making the case for liberalarts in a skeptical world, and cultivating adaptability as both an institutional ethos and a graduate superpower.
We also get a glimpse of the personal side of herpresidency—including how her beloved dog, Buckeye, helps humanize her role and deepen connections with students on campus.
Whether you’re a current or aspiring leader, an educator, orsomeone who cares about the future of higher education, this conversation willleave you with both inspiration and actionable insights.
🎙️ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How Dr. MacLeod Walls defines and leads with adaptability
Why innovation must be central to the liberal arts
The leadership lessons she’s drawn from mentors—and from mistakes
How gender dynamics shape presidential leadership in higher ed
The critical skills every future leader should develop
Why partnerships, community engagement, and nimbleness matter more than ever
And yes… how a dog named Buckeye is helping build stronger campus relationships
💬 Quotable Moment:“When what you’re doing matters, nothing should scare you. Nothing should bean impediment.” – Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls
🎧 Listen Now and discover how boldleadership, a clear sense of mission, and a joyful spirit are helping shape the future of Washington & Jefferson College—and the liberal arts more broadly.