The Way Forward Starts with Listening: A Conversation with Freeman Hrabowski

Freeman Hrawbowski has served as President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for nearly three decades, during which the university has become a national leader in undergraduate education. UMBC is well-known for its exemplary success supporting Black students in the sciences and pre-medical education, its innovative interdisciplinary curriculum, and its leadership in students' civic learning. Here we explore how UMBC's model of change framed its responses to the crisis of 2020, beginning with a commitment to patient listening and trust-building even—especially—in times of urgency.

My discussion with Freeman Hrabowski touched on several important programs at UMBC, including the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and the Shriver Center. We also referenced his book, co-authored with two colleagues, The Empowered University: Shared Leadership, Culture Change, and Academic Success.

The Way Forward is a production of Bringing Theory to Practice; to learn more about our work, visit us at www.bttop.org. Send us your thoughts—and suggestions for future episodes—at info@btop.org. The podcast is produced by Jabari Butler, and Dan Rudin composed our music.