Content Warning: This episode contains references to suicide and sexual assault within the context of student mental health and recovery. The discussion focuses on hope, resilience, and the impact of supportive relationships in higher education.
What happens when a leader sees potential in people who've never seen it in themselves? In this deeply moving episode of IngenioUs, Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg shares how a single moment—when a mentor casually said "when you're a college president"—fundamentally shifted her understanding of her own possibilities. Now, as Chancellor of the University of Washington Bothell, she deliberately practices naming potentialin others, especially those who don't see themselves reflected in traditional leadership roles.
Dr. Esterberg's leadership philosophy is grounded in her training as a sociologist and shaped by profound experiences with students overcoming tremendous obstacles. She shares theunforgettable story of a student who was the child of Cambodian refugees, struggling with the intergenerational trauma of genocide. That student brought her a jar of tiny origami stars and cranes—made to fight suicidal thoughts—and years later, Dr. Esterberg watched her cross the stage to receive a master's degree in social work. That jar still sits in her office today as a reminder of the transformative power of authentic relationships in higher education.
In this conversation, Dr. Esterberg explores:
Dr. Esterberg's message is both challenging and hopeful: leadership is not the province of a select few but a possibility and responsibility that exists within all members of academiccommunities. By creating spaces where authentic relationships flourish and barriers to success are systematically dismantled, higher education can truly serve all students—especially those who have historically been marginalized or overlooked.
This episode will inspire anyone who believes in the power of education to transform lives and the responsibility of leaders to see and name potential in others.
ABOUT DR. KRISTIN G. ESTERBERG
Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg is Chancellor of the University ofWashington Bothell. A sociologist by training, she has served in leadership roles at multiple institutions including as Provost at Salem State University and in administrative positions at UMass Lowell. Her research focuses on LGBTQ+ social movements, and she is a passionate advocate for creating inclusiveacademic environments where all students can thrive. An accomplished endurance athlete, she recently completed an Ironman Triathlon.