“Some don’t like this. But we are committed to progress and will embrace the community,” Bryan says. “FSU will never lose its history and core values, but we are welcoming to others.”
Bryan has published numerous articles on early 20th-century African-American female poets. She has held a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship for College Teachers and has been awarded a Governor’s Citation from the State of Maryland. She is a member of the Wachovia Bank Board of Directors, the Central Intelligence Agency Board of Visitors and numerous other nonprofit and professional boards.
Though her work follows her everywhere, she relies on a large network of family and friends to help her keep life in perspective. But even in her personal life, it’s hard to escape conversations about leading a higher education institution. Bryan’s sister, Dr. Myrtle B. Dorsey, is chancellor of Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana.
Bryan says has learned a lot during her two years as chancellor.
“You can’t do the job concerned about pleasing everyone or being afraid of anyone,” she says. The two years at the helm of FSU have helped Bryan develop keener political skills and a thicker skin. When she confronts those who object to an initiative or project, she often names them to a committee, which she hopes will give them more insight. She values dissenting opinions, but won’t hesitate to follow her own instincts when she feels something is in the best interests of her students. But she says she “doesn’t lose sleep over it” when a situation is out of her control.
Bryan’s advice to new chancellors coming into their jobs: “Always remember that universities exist to serve students,” she says.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
