Others might balk, but Hamline University President Fayneese Miller is fine with being referred to as "The Prez."
"It does not bother me. What I do to make current and past members of the community Hamline proud is more important than what I am called."
She sounds like one of those people with a psychology degree who has her head on straight. A former dean at the University of Vermont, she was also an associate professor of psychology at Brown University, where she was founding chairwoman of Ethnic Studies. I kicked off this Q&A with a question about Minnesota and ethnicity.
Q: You haven't lived in Minnesota that long, but you already have noticed some hard conversations we're not having about race?
A: The shootings of black males that occurred in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and around the nation shed light on a series of issues — race, justice, poverty, class, and belongingness — that need statewide and national attention. We cannot hope to change the status quo if we fail to acknowledge and address the issue of race. We do not live in a race-blind society, nor have we ever. However, we can gain a better understanding and appreciation of the lived experiences of "the other" if we acknowledge the problem. Then we can work to address the problem — together, as members of a civil society that is inclusive, sees diversity as an indication of excellence, educates all at a level that is equitable and just, and creates opportunities for growth and participation in the economic, social, and political growth of the state and nation. I fear for the soul of our nation if we do not acknowledge and learn from our past.
Q: What's going to be your priority? Fundraising, academics, building projects?
A: The three items you list are all important, but I have two main priorities: academics and fundraising — in that order. Fundraising allows us to continually improve our academic offerings, recognize excellence in scholarship and teaching by faculty, and identify opportunities to be innovative in our curriculum. With a focus on academics, you never lose sight of the student.
Q: Have you noticed people getting a look in their eyes that says they want to run away because college presidents are always looking for money?