Student Affairs NOW Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education
Jul 2, 2025
Dr. Annmarie Caño, a clinical psychologist and author, shares insights from her book on transformative leadership in higher education. She critiques conventional models and advocates for a justice-centered approach that emphasizes accompaniment—supporting rather than solving problems for students. Caño discusses the importance of empathetic leadership, mutual transformation, and fostering equity within academic structures. Her practical strategies, especially during the pandemic, highlight the need for collaborative decision-making and well-being in creating thriving learning environments.
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Personal Journey in Higher Ed
- Dr. Annmarie Caño shares her personal journey navigating higher education as a first-generation Latina student at Princeton.
- She highlights the feeling of not belonging and the systemic gatekeeping baked into academia's history.
Context Shapes Individual Psyche
- Liberation psychology links individual mental health to broader socio-political contexts.
- Personal struggles often reflect systemic oppression, not individual failure.
Lead with Accompaniment
- Practice acompañamiento by entering struggles with those you lead, sharing their experiences.
- Avoid solving problems for others; instead, co-create solutions respecting their wisdom and agency.