The Little College That Could: Taylor University’s $500M Vision

At a time when many small colleges are facing enrollment declines and financial pressure, Taylor University is charting a different course.  In this episode, Taylor’s 18th president, Dr. Michael Lindsay, joins us to talk about the remarkable momentum behind the Upland, Indiana-based Christian liberal arts university. Over the past five years, Taylor has grown enrollment by 45%, while attracting an incoming class with an average GPA of 3.9. What’s behind the momentum? Lindsay points to a clear mission, strong culture, and distinctive traditions. But the story goes beyond campus. We explore Taylor’s ambitious $500 million fundraising campaign and “Main Street Mile,” a $100 million initiative designed to transform Upland with new housing, mixed-use development, and a boutique hotel. It’s a conversation about leadership, strategy, and how one small university may be offering a big lesson for the future of higher education.