Leadership and the Liberal Arts

Gretchen Galbraith, Dean of Faculty

BY SUSAN SALTER REYNOLDS

Gretchen Galbraith came to Saint Michael’s in July 2022. No stranger to leadership roles in higher education, Galbraith knows the qualities leaders need in this context to get things done.

Top of the list: listening and vision. “We need people to be creative and think beyond the current notions of leadership. People are suffering from burnout; how can we tap into the enthusiasm that got them here in the first place?”

Arriving post-pandemic, at a stressful time for faculty and administration, has given Galbraith real insight into the resilience of the Saint Michael’s College community.

In the last year, Galbraith has been impressed by leaders on campus like Heidi St. Peter, director of purposeful learning, who are creating programs (such as the peer mentoring program) and classes centered on developing ethical leaders, and challenging traditional notions of leadership.

She has participated in meetings and witnessed leaders like Professor of Political Science and Director of Public Health

Trish Siplon working to move the needle on diversity, equity, and inclusion. And she has been working with faculty to create curricular and programmatic pathways that connect classes to the strategic plan, with its focus on purposeful learning.

“We always have to ask ourselves, are we doing enough to support our faculty and staff in their crucial work with students?” asks Galbraith. A historian by training, she has the heart of an activist; she sees the fine line between idealism and pragmatism, and she has watched with admiration as faculty and staff navigate challenging conversations to develop consensus.

Leading long-term change, she explains, often means “patiently keeping the flame alive, making sure that people stay invested in work that brings meaning to their lives.”

Gretchen Galbraith, dean of faculty, poses with one of her grandparents’ Bennington Potters mugs. The mugs represent the generosity and hospitality her grandparents modeled whenever they hosted guests. Galbraith noted that she tries to bring a similar mindset of curiosity, generosity, and welcome to her work with faculty, staff, and students.