What does it mean to lead with authentic mission alignment in today's complex higher education landscape? Dr. Christina Clark, the eighth president of La Roche University, knows the answer intimately—because she's living it.
In this conversation, Christina shares how growing up as an "army brat" in Alaska and the Philippines instilled in her the leadership fundamentals that guide her presidency today: service, accountability, and the courage to stand for what's right even when standing alone. Her father's daily reveille call—"it's another day in which to excel"—wasn't just a wake-up routine; it was the beginning of a leadership formation that would spandecades and continents.
As a classicist scholar, Christina brings a unique intellectual framework to presidential leadership, using contextual thinking to see beneath surface issues to underlying institutional challenges. She opens up about her intentional journey from faculty to the presidency, the importance of knowingwhere you can flourish as a leader, and why the exhausting presidential interview process at La Roche left her feeling energized rather than drained—a clear signal she'd found the right fit.
We explore La Roche's innovative approach to preparing students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including embedding AI literacy certificates across the curriculum and requiring AI competency in every capstone course. Christina also shares what sustains her personally—from nightly conversations with her mother to morning dance sessions that reconnect her with who she was before becoming an academic.
Whether you're an aspiring president, a sitting leader navigating unprecedented challenges, or simply curious about what authentic mission-driven leadership looks like in practice, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for your own journey.
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About Dr. Christina Clark:
Dr. Christina Clark is the eighth president of La Roche University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A classicist by training, she brings more than 20 years of experience in Catholic comprehensive institutions to her first presidency. Dr. Clark's leadership is shaped by her formative years as the daughter of a U.S. Army officer, living in Alaska and the Philippines, whereshe learned the values of service, ethics, and representing something larger than oneself. Her commitment to mission-driven, values-based education guides her vision for preparing students to be global citizens who work for justice,peace, and the common good in an increasingly complex world.
Connect with La Roche University: Website: www.laroche.edu
About IngenioUs:
IngenioUs explores the leadership journeys of transformative women in higher education. Hosted by Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson, each episode features candid conversations about the experiences, challenges, and insights that shapevisionary leadership in today's colleges and universities.
Host: Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson, Provost Emerita and Distinguished Professor, Bay Path University | Author of "Ingenious Leadership" | Founding Director, Center for Higher Education Leadership and Innovative Practice (CHELIP)