TAbout Dr. Rick Stripling
For more than four decades, I have had the privilege of working in higher education as an administrator, educator, author, and mentor. My career has taken me from student affairs and enrollment management to senior university leadership, providing opportunities to lead institutional change, develop programs and facilities, build enrollment, and—most importantly—help people grow as leaders.
Throughout my career, I have learned that leadership is not defined by a title or an office. It is defined by the difference we make in our organizations and in the lives of the people around us. I believe effective leaders embrace change, listen carefully, build relationships, solve problems, develop others, and have the courage to move an organization forward.
Today, I continue that work through teaching, writing, mentoring, and sharing the lessons I have learned during my career in higher education. My books explore leadership, organizational change, higher education, mentoring, artificial intelligence in teaching, and the personal experiences that shaped my journey.
At this stage of my career, I am increasingly interested in legacy—not simply what we accomplish, but what and who we leave behind. My hope is that the experiences and lessons I share will encourage the next generation of leaders to lead with purpose, embrace opportunities for change, invest in others, and leave their organizations better than they found them.
Leadership. Legacy. Lessons Learned. .
Career Highlights
More than four decades of leadership and service in higher education, with extensive experience in student affairs, enrollment management, campus development, and organizational change. My career has included senior administrative leadership, teaching, consulting, and mentoring the next generation of higher education professionals.
At Arkansas State University, I served in numerous leadership roles, including Vice Chancellor/Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. My work included leading major enrollment initiatives, developing and expanding student-life facilities, strengthening the residential campus experience, and helping guide the university through periods of significant growth and change.
Today, I continue to contribute to higher education through teaching, writing, mentoring, and sharing the leadership lessons learned throughout my career.
Selected Career Highlights
- More than four decades of leadership and service in higher education, with extensive experience in student affairs, enrollment management, organizational change, and university administration. Served as Vice Chancellor/Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Arkansas State University, providing leadership across numerous departments and major institutional initiatives.
- Led major enrollment-management initiatives that contributed to record freshman enrollment and overall university enrollment.
- Helped lead more than $200 million in campus-life development, including residence halls, student facilities, recreation, health services, and other major campus improvements.
- Helped develop Arkansas State University’s campus in Querétaro, Mexico, including the creation of an American-style residential campus.
- Continues to teach, write, consult, and mentor, sharing leadership lessons with current and future higher education professionals.
Leadership Philosophy
I believe leadership is not defined by a title or position, but by the difference we make in the lives of people and the organizations we serve. Effective leaders must be willing to embrace change, make difficult decisions, develop people, build relationships, and remain focused on solutions rather than problems. Throughout my career, I have tried to leave every organization—and the people within it—better than I found them. For me, the true measure of leadership is not simply what we accomplish while we are in a position, but the people we develop and the legacy that remains after we leave.
Continuing the Journey
My work in higher education continues through teaching, writing, mentoring, and sharing what I have learned with others. Through my books and work with graduate students and emerging leaders, I hope to pass along lessons that took decades to learn—both the successes and the mistakes. I believe one of the greatest responsibilities of an experienced leader is to help prepare the next generation to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose.