Walter Kimbrough on Hiring Right [I Wanna Work There]

‍

Eddie Francis welcomes Dr. Walter Kimbrough, interim president of Talladega College and former president of Philander Smith College and Dillard University, to discuss how the right hire can profoundly impact a campus’s culture and employer brand. Dr. Kimbrough shares an inspiring story from his time at Philander Smith College, where hiring the right chaplain not only filled a leadership gap but also redefined the institution’s culture of care, faith, and community.

‍

Key Takeaways

• The Right Hire Can Redefine Campus Culture
  Hiring someone who aligns with the institution’s mission and brings energy and vision to their role can build a strong, values-driven culture that resonates across campus.
• Alignment with Institutional Needs is Crucial
  Recognizing an existing resource with the potential to fill a critical gap—in this case, a pastor already on campus—can be a win-win for both the institution and its community.
• Culture-Building Requires Intentional Leadership
  Leaders who are engaged and invested in their role create environments where students and staff feel supported and cared for, resulting in stronger connections and long-lasting cultural change.
• Faith-Based Institutions Thrive with the Right Spiritual Leader
  For faith-based colleges, having an authentic, energetic, and student-centered spiritual leader can strengthen the institution’s identity and provide students with vital mentorship and support.

‍

Identifying the Missing Piece

Dr. Walter Kimbrough recounts his time at Philander Smith College, a United Methodist institution, where the campus was missing a strong spiritual presence that could truly engage students. The existing chaplain was balancing responsibilities with a church off-campus and struggled to connect with students in a meaningful way.

Recognizing the need for a transformative leader, Dr. Kimbrough identified Reverend Yao, a new pastor at the campus church, as the perfect candidate to take on the role of chaplain. Reverend Yao’s proximity to the campus and his dynamic energy made him an ideal fit. With the support of the bishop, Reverend Yao’s role was expanded to include chaplaincy, creating an immediate cultural shift on campus.

‍

Transforming Culture Through Leadership

Reverend Yao brought passion, care, and a student-first mentality to the role. His consistent presence on campus and his ability to engage directly with students helped create what Dr. Kimbrough calls a “supercharged, caring culture.” Students began attending church services in greater numbers, and many became active in the campus church community. Reverend Yao’s leadership and mentorship extended beyond spiritual guidance, providing students with a trusted figure to help them navigate personal and academic challenges.

One example of the cultural shift was seen in the way alumni stayed connected even after leaving the institution. Dr. Kimbrough recalls a recent moment when many former students traveled from across the country to honor a fellow graduate who had passed away. This sense of enduring connection, he says, was rooted in the culture of care and community that Reverend Yao helped establish.

‍

Lessons in Hiring for Culture

Dr. Kimbrough emphasizes the importance of aligning hires with institutional culture and values. In this case, Reverend Yao wasn’t just a skilled pastor—he had the energy, vision, and alignment with Philander Smith College’s mission to truly transform campus life. By filling a critical gap with someone who could authentically live out the institution’s values, the college strengthened its faith-based identity and fostered a sense of belonging among students.

Eddie Francis reflects on the story, highlighting how hiring decisions can either enhance or work against campus culture. Dr. Kimbrough’s intentional approach to identifying the right leader—and the immediate results that followed—show how crucial it is to consider cultural alignment and leadership potential in every hire.

‍

Make sure to check out the full I Wanna Work There playlist today.

‍

‍About The Enrollify Podcast Network: I Wanna Work There is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

‍

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!

The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education.

Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

👉🏻 Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st.