Episode 50: What Does It Really Mean to Lead With Purpose, With Empathy, and With a Commitment to Service?

In this episode of Stories from Everywhere, Jill L. Ferguson sits down with Christina Clark, president of La Roche University, for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about leadership, education, and the unexpected paths that shape a life. Christina didn’t set out to become a university president. In fact, her journey began with a love of teaching, a childhood shaped by a military family, and formative experiences living abroad, including eye-opening years in the Philippines that challenged her understanding of culture, privilege, and identity. From struggling through Latin and Greek to working her way up from receptionist to credit analyst, Christina’s story is one of persistence, curiosity, and stepping up when it matters most. Together, Jill and Christina explore: What a university president actually does day-to-day, and why it’s far more human than most people think The power of great (and terrible) teachers in shaping a life How global experiences at a young age can transform perspective The tension between career, family, and purpose and how to navigate it Why higher education must evolve to truly prepare students for the real world The importance of vocation, values, and building a meaningful life, not just a successful one At its core, this conversation is about choosing to be part of the solution. Christina shares how a simple realization—you don’t have to just complain; you can lead—changed the trajectory of her life and continues to guide her work today. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re on the “right” path, or if it’s time to step into something bigger.