Just Finished Reading

Team, as you know, I have committed to reading a new book every 10 days this year. My latest read, "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, reminded me of something every leader eventually learns the hard way:

Perception is power.

Not because it changes facts, but because it shapes meaning. How we interpret interactions with others, resistance, silence, criticism, or moments in our lives determines whether we grow or retreat.

Even more powerful is the realization that our perception of how the world sees us often becomes the lens through which we lead. While we do not control our outcomes, we do control interpretation.

Take care, and have a productive week.

Just Finished Reading...

My bride, Daphne Brownlee, and I met Sugar Ray Leonard two years ago.

What I didn’t know then was the depth of the fight he was carrying long after the crowd stopped cheering. I just finished "The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring", and it reminded me of a truth every educator and leader needs to remember: We never really know what someone is fighting to overcome.

As a college president, this hit close to home. Our students walk into classrooms carrying far more than assignments. Our colleagues show up to work carrying more than job titles. Strength is often survival disguised as success.

This book reinforced my commitment to lead with grace, compassion, and love—especially when I don’t have the full story.

In 2026, I set a personal goal to read a new book every 10 days. This one reminded me why empathy must sit at the center of leadership.

Just Finished Reading...

Just finished reading Black Woman on Board by Dr. Donna J. Nicol, and I’m grateful for this powerful and deeply human account of leadership, courage, and moral clarity.

Dr. Nicol’s telling of Dr. Claudia Hampton’s story is extraordinary. What I found most profound was Dr. Hampton’s use of what Dr. Nicol calls “sly civility”—the disciplined, strategic navigation of systems that were never designed to include her.

In the midst of racism, sexism, and prejudice, she understood both the weight of her presence and the responsibility of her position. She knew that being at the table wasn’t just about personal achievement; it was about creating space for others to follow.

Thank you, Dr. Nicol, for preserving this history and for lifting up a story that every leader, especially those serving in complex, inequitable systems, needs to read.

To purchase this book, visit www.DonnaJNicol.com

Currently Reading: "The Next American Economy"

Great book that touches on the importance of higher education's role in advancing our nation's economy. Thank you Dr.Craig Follins for the reading suggestion!

Currently Reading: "Great by Choice"

Almost done reading this book...WOW! Thank you Dr. Jerry Forster for the suggestion. Great study on the commonalities that make top performing organizations GREAT.