St. Mary’s College of Maryland President Tuajuanda C. Jordan participated in a panel Tuesday, Sept. 10, hosted by Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) where she and two additional higher education presidents spoke of their decisions to pursue their respective roles.
The 90-minute virtual panel titled, “So You Think You Want to Be a President” was part of the HERS Critical Conversation series. Jordan, along with Marjorie Hass, president of the Council of Independent Colleges and Suzanne Rivera, president of Macalester College, discussed their individual perspectives on the current state of higher education; advice for discovering their respective “why”; and strategies for supporting others in leadership.
Jordan, who has been on the HERS Board of Directors in various roles since 2018, including president of the board in 2020, has always spoken highly of the organization that focuses on empowering women to develop their leadership skills.
During the panel Jordan conveyed that women have a tendency to over prepare for their career paths. “Oftentimes the people who are around you know you are ready to pursue a presidency before the thought even crosses your mind,” she said.
Jordan, who is in her 11th year as president of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, encouraged attendees to “...take stock of who is giving you advice - if they are people you admire and trust, just do it!”
HERS was founded in 1972, and, according to its website, is a “leadership development and research organization that is dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse network of women leaders in higher education. HERS proudly serves as both a network and hub of resources for women eager to advance both themselves and their respective institutions of higher education.”
