Dr. Herman Felton shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Jacksonville's inner city to becoming the 17th president of Wiley University, a transformative leader who has redefined what it means to lead an HBCU in today's challenging landscape.

• Product of "scarcity" who discovered his dyslexia later in life
• Joined the Marine Corps before attending Edward Waters College as a non-traditional student at age 28
• Inspired to pursue higher education leadership after witnessing his college president defend open-door admissions
• Views his role as a "disruptor" through the lens of resolve and faith
• Leads Wiley University with an understanding of its historical significance as a place founded in a Confederate stronghold
• Navigates today's higher education challenges with a measured, faith-based approach
• Co-founded the Higher Education Leadership Foundation that has produced 16 HBCU presidents in 10 years
• Believes future HBCU leaders need both specialist knowledge and a generalist understanding of all university operations
• Maintains that effective leaders ascend to the presidency rather than pursuing the title itself
• Hopes his legacy will be the multiplication of fearless, bold leaders committed to HBCU work

🔗 Find out more about Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder.
🌎Visit Oberlin College's website.
Podcast Produced by: Paradigm Media Group

This bonus episode features the inaugural show of the Conversation Series: Living Our Values, where Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder sat down with Dr. Airica Steed—a living change maker and history maker—to explore what it truly means to live your values through the lens of authenticity, equity, and collective excellence. Dr. Steed candidly reflected on navigating the complex realities facing women of color and high-profile leaders, and sustaining resilience amid adversity and personal loss. Through powerful storytelling, she shared her commitment to legacy, generational impact, and building access and opportunity in healthcare, offering insights for anyone seeking to lead with purpose and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

📲 Connect with Dr. Steed: LinkedIn

🔗 Find out more about Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder.
🌎Visit Oberlin College's website.
Podcast Produced by: Paradigm Media Group

Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder welcomes back Dr. Tammy Hodo, educator, DEI consultant, and CEO of All Things Diverse, for an insightful conversation about the foundational role of psychological safety, civility, and inclusive leadership in building high-performing teams and sustainable workplace cultures. Drawing from her background in urban studies and two decades of leading equity and curriculum initiatives, Dr. Hodo shares actionable strategies for fostering trust, addressing race and identity in organizations, and navigating the challenges of DEI work in today’s polarized climate—empowering leaders to cultivate environments where all employees can thrive.

🔗 Find out more about Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder.
🌎Visit Oberlin College's website.
Podcast Produced by: Paradigm Media Group