In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dr. Mary B. Marcy discusses her book, The Small College Imperative, focusing on the need for small colleges to transform rather than rely on traditional stewardship. She highlights the importance of understanding student demographics, financial sustainability, and the balance between liberal arts and market demands. Dr. Marcy emphasizes the role of provosts in fostering collaboration and morale during periods of change while also navigating shared governance. The discussion concludes with insights on leadership qualities essential for provosts and the importance of reading both professional and fictional works to ground oneself in the educational mission.Takeaways• Transformation is essential for small colleges to thrive.• Understanding student demographics is crucial for institutional relevance.• Financial sustainability is a pressing concern for many colleges.• Balancing liberal arts with market demands is a significant challenge.• Provosts play a key role in fostering collaboration and morale.