President Andrew Hsu on the Modern College Presidency

This week, we’re honored to have as our guest, Andrew Hsu, the current President of the College of Charleston in South Carolina. President Hsu shares reflections on his journey to the presidency, as well as his perspective on the tumultuous nature of this role at the moment for many institutions. He also discusses the impact digital transformation has had on his campus recently.

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Key Takeaways

• Flexibility and Nimbleness Are Key to Institutional Success: The College of Charleston leaned into its strengths during the pandemic, accelerating strategic initiatives and focusing on in-person, personalized education to meet student needs.
• Digital Transformation Should Support Core Values: Tools like chatbots and hybrid instruction enhance the residential, student-centered experience without overshadowing the traditional liberal arts model.
• Generative AI Is Reshaping Higher Ed: Institutions must thoughtfully integrate AI into their curricula and operations, ensuring faculty and students are prepared to leverage its potential effectively.
• The Role of College Presidents Is Increasingly Challenging: Political polarization and financial pressures are making presidencies more precarious, requiring leaders to build consensus, act decisively, and maintain resilience.
• A University on the Rise: The College of Charleston continues to innovate by expanding academic programs and elevating its national visibility, all while preserving its liberal arts foundation.

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Episode Summary

What leadership lessons did the pandemic teach President Hsu and the College of Charleston?
The pandemic was a test of adaptability and resilience. President Hsu highlights the importance of being nimble and optimistic during challenging times. While many institutions closed their doors entirely, the College of Charleston reopened with hybrid models, enhanced campus tours, and a strong focus on in-person experiences. These efforts paid off: applications grew from 12,000 to 27,000 in just four years, demonstrating the power of clear strategy and bold investments.

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How does digital transformation complement a liberal arts model?
While some universities raced to scale online programs, the College of Charleston focused on leveraging technology to augment its student-centered, in-person experience. Tools like chatbots provide 24/7 support for students’ academic, financial, and emotional needs while simultaneously identifying trends to improve campus resources. Additionally, hybrid teaching options and digital tools ensure students can access support without diminishing the core value of face-to-face instruction.

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What role is AI playing in higher education at the College of Charleston?
Generative AI, including tools like ChatGPT, is transforming both how and what institutions teach. At the College of Charleston, faculty are increasingly incorporating AI into curricula while establishing clear policies for its use. President Hsu stresses that embracing AI thoughtfully—rather than reacting with fear—is key to preparing students for a rapidly evolving world. Faculty engagement and ongoing dialogue are central to the institution’s strategy for integrating new technologies responsibly.

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Why are college presidencies becoming more precarious?
President Hsu identifies political polarization and financial pressures as two key challenges making university presidencies more difficult. Polarization reduces the willingness to compromise, turning leadership into an impossible balancing act. Meanwhile, declining enrollments and state support mean many institutions face financial strain, increasing the pressure on presidents to achieve results. Despite these challenges, President Hsu views the presidency as an unparalleled opportunity to positively impact thousands of lives and communities.

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How is the College of Charleston evolving to meet student needs?
The College of Charleston remains committed to its liberal arts roots while expanding into new professional programs like health sciences and engineering. This balanced approach honors tradition while ensuring relevance in a competitive educational landscape. President Hsu emphasizes that the college’s focus on academic excellence, personal attention, and in-person learning sets it apart, contributing to its growing visibility and success.

This Episode is Sponsored by Pathify

Meet Pathify —  an innovative higher ed engagement hub that puts students at the center of their college journey. Pathify sits at the center of your school’s digital ecosystem, becoming the single, user experience interface tying together all systems, content, and communications. Their engagement hub elevates the information that matters most and pushes systems like the SIS behind the scenes where they belong, making it simpler for students to discover and engage with the opportunities your institution provides at every step of their higher ed journey, from prospect to alumni. What’s even better, Pathify has a mobile experience that provides 100% parity with the responsive web app, so your campus app is always in sync. Pathify is a platform that EVERY stakeholder on campus  — from marketing, to admissions, to student affairs, to IT, etc., — can get equally excited about. Learn more about how Pathify is uniting strategic units across campus and bettering the entire student experience by visiting Pathify.com

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