University of Lynchburg

Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar

Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar is a higher education leader who is passionate about empowering students to reach their fullest potential. Her expertise in higher education, leadership and talent innovation is transforming lives, both across campus and throughout the education community.

In an interview with Education Insider, Dr. Morrison-Shetlar shared her insights on leadership, collaboration and fostering environments that maximize potential.

From Professional Biologist to President

After completing my bachelor's and PhD degrees at Abertay University in Scotland, I spent three years in London as a research biologist, supporting burn patient skin-grafting research. Later, I was invited to join the Max Planck Institute in Dortmund, Germany and spent seven years there as a research scientist and department head in the Molecular Biology unit.

In 1993, I moved to the U.S., and my teaching career eventually spanned six institutions of higher education, including Wesleyan University (CT), Georgia Southern University, University of Central Florida and Elon University.

At Western Carolina University, I served as provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, then as interim chancellor. These roles afforded me the opportunity to step into executive leadership, and in 2020, I joined the University of Lynchburg as president.

Guiding Principles Shaping Future Generations

Before starting at the University of Lynchburg, I connected with campus and community members to identify the institution's core strengths. These conversations revealed the three distinct pillars that have defined my presidency.

“In challenging times, it’s critical to value diversity of thought and the exchange of ideas. These values are central to how we shape culture and work effectively.”

The first pillar is Leadership Development, which focuses on empowering individuals to lead effectively and maximize their potential. We leverage our role as an anchor institution in the community to provide students with experiential learning—real-world opportunities that allow them to apply knowledge, meet community needs and cultivate essential lifelong leadership skills.

The second pillar is Innovation and Collaboration. These principles drove the transformation of our business model into one that is sustainable and effective. We carefully evaluated and aligned academic offerings, eliminating low-enrollment programs while adding new ones focused on job and graduate school potential. Furthermore, we consolidated six colleges into three schools, successfully aligning revenue and expenses to better support institutional goals.

Our third pillar is inclusive excellence. It represents our commitment to fostering an environment where all individuals feel valued and respected. Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and cultures, so we strive to create a campus that embraces diversity in all its forms, enhancing the overall educational experience for everyone. At Lynchburg, we say, “Here, you’re home,” and we mean it.

Embracing Headwinds and Leading Change

Though it’s easy to see headwinds as obstacles, as a lifelong sailor, I see headwinds as drivers of progress—they push us to adjust how we work and think. In challenging times, it’s critical to value diversity of thought and the exchange of ideas. These values are central to how we shape culture and work effectively.

For example, when pandemic-related restrictions lifted, many students did not return to their campuses. Ours did. We were determined to provide a safe residential experience that prioritized our community's mental and physical well-being. Our students showed incredible commitment to maintaining a safe environment, and their dedication ultimately helped us become a model for other institutions. Our willingness to think differently led to a successful year on campus.

Advice for Peers

Dive into the vision, mission and values of the institution that you are joining, and remember that students should be at the center of your conversation. Examine the finances to see where the focus has been, and then create an environment where you can inspire independent thinkers to become trustworthy, effective leaders who shape caring communities.