In this episode of NACUBO’s Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Isaiah Behnke, director of student finance at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Isaiah shares his unique career journey, which he describes as an “improvised jazz session” rather than a scripted symphony, with twists and turns that led him to his current role at UVA. He discusses a pivotal moment of being laid off early in his career, which taught him the importance of embracing discomfort and vulnerability.
Isaiah also explains his leadership philosophy based on three core pillars: imperfection, collective effort, and genuine connection. To stay curious and innovative, Isaiah engages with professional organizations like NACUBO and taps into on-campus resources.
Rather than focusing on leaving a legacy, Isaiah aims to make a meaningful impact in the present by creating a culture where people feel valued, heard, and supported. He draws inspiration from the ancient Greek concepts of “eunoia” (beautiful thinking and goodwill) and “eudaimonia” (flourishing through virtue or purpose) to guide his approach to leadership and problem-solving.
Isaiah’s advice for higher education professionals includes embracing imperfection, assuming the best in others, bringing humility and humor to your work, focusing on people rather than just processes and systems, and allowing discomfort and uncertainty to stretch and grow you rather than derail you. Tune in to hear Isaiah Behnke’s full story and gain valuable insights on genuine, collective, and imperfect leadership in higher education.
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