Beyond Titles: Steering Through the Storm

Navigating Leadership in Transformative Times: Lessons from Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard

As higher education continues to face new and unprecedented challenges, from student mental health crises to navigating external political pressures, leaders like Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, are paving the way for meaningful change.

During our inaugural Beyond Titles fireside chat, series host, Cody Semrau, Founder & CEO, BetterMynd, had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Parsons-Pollard, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at Georgia State University—an institution nationally recognized for its innovative approaches to student success, particularly with first-generation and underserved populations. Under her leadership, Georgia State University has solidified its role as a trailblazer in fostering academic excellence, equity, and student well-being.

Dr. Parsons-Pollard shared her transformative leadership strategies, focusing on mental health integration, faculty empowerment, and navigating higher education’s evolving landscape with compassion and purpose.

We’re excited to spotlight her insights and look forward to sharing key takeaways from this inspiring discussion.

Watch the full conversation here:

Meeting Students Where They Are

One of the central themes Dr. Parsons-Pollard emphasized was the integration of mental health resources into the very fabric of Georgia State University. Mental health is now a critical component of student success, and Dr. Parsons-Pollard highlighted how Georgia State University has redefined its approach to supporting students’ well-being.

Tools like the Togetherall peer network and Panther Strong resilience app have made a significant difference in retention, particularly among students who were less likely to engage with traditional mental health resources. For Dr. Parsons-Pollard, it’s about providing a range of options to meet the diverse needs of students.

Cody Semrau, Founder & CEO, noted that BetterMynd partners with over 150 colleges and universities, including the University of Florida, Binghamton University, and the Los Rios Community College District, to extend the impact of their counseling services.  

Our flexible online mental health services – individual counseling, psychiatry, and 24/7 crisis and support line – are designed to meet the unique mental health needs of each student.  We also advance health promotion through our live psycho-educational Wellbeing Workshops. 

Building Trust Before Crisis Hits

Leadership in times of crisis requires trust, and Dr. Parsons-Pollard believes that this trust must be built during times of calm. She recounted how, when faced with crises like the COVID-19 pandemic or campus-wide political tensions, her team leaned on the trust they had already established through open communication and transparency. “It’s important to build trust during calm times, so when the storm hits, people remember who you’ve been all along,”  This foundational trust has helped Georgia State navigate challenging periods with a sense of stability and resilience.

Empowering Faculty and Addressing Burnout

Dr. Parsons-Pollard also highlighted the importance of supporting faculty and staff, acknowledging that their well-being directly impacts student success. Georgia State has implemented equity-minded workload strategies, including tools for minimizing stress, setting boundaries, and managing time.

These initiatives are part of a broader effort to address faculty burnout, a growing concern across higher education. “If you don’t have employees who leave to do bigger and better things, it means you haven’t cultivated them or grown your network,” she shared, emphasizing the need for leaders to empower their teams to thrive both professionally and personally.

Preparing for the Future of Higher Education

Looking to the future, Dr. Parsons-Pollard sees the necessity for higher education to adapt and evolve. She stressed the importance of interdisciplinary learning, lifelong education, and preparing students to become responsible global citizens. “The world should be our students’ laboratory,” she stated, urging leaders to foster real-world learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. She also noted that while technological innovations are crucial, institutions must remain focused on the human element—ensuring that students are equipped with both technical skills and a broader understanding of the world they will shape.

Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard’s forward-thinking leadership offers a powerful roadmap for navigating higher education’s most pressing challenges. From mental health to faculty development, her holistic approach is transforming the student experience and preparing institutions for a resilient future.

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Beyond Titles: Real Leaders, Real Stories aim to bring you insightful and inspiring conversations with higher education leaders and visionaries from around the country. Listen to the full conversation here and follow BetterMynd's YouTube channel for future fireside chats.

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Want to learn more about how BetterMynd can supplement and expand your mental health and well-being services without financial waste- and, by extension, boost retention- on your campus?

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