Howie Lien

Background

About Howie Lien

I fell in love with higher education as a profession through my own formative experiences during my undergraduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I thrived in an environment that had ample opportunities to explore and grow, where dedicated professionals made it their mission to help students like me realize their big ideas, make an impact, and create lasting memories. I decided that I wanted to be one of those professionals - to pay it forward and empower future students to make the most of those opportunities and experiences.I found myself losing my way as the higher education industry experienced massive shockwaves like the 2008 global recession and COVID-19 pandemic that forced institutions to pivot their operations on a dime. My own life was uprooted when I relocated from New York City to upstate New York to escape the worst of the pandemic. I saw my colleagues and mentors burning out, becoming jaded, and leaving the profession, and I felt a similar sense of pessimism taking hold. I chose to step away from my work and finish my Master’s program at UAlbany to give myself the mental space to recharge. As we continue to navigate these difficult challenges, I have recommitted to being a part of the solution as colleges and universities adapt, rethink, restructure, and right-size their operations to meet the needs of their stakeholders, their students, and society at large.These conversations are not easy, and it’s impossible to please everyone in an increasingly complex and competitive world. However, it is my empathy, strategic focus, and strong work ethic that guide me in collaborating with others to find practical and actionable solutions. I am a life-long learner and problem solver and I choose to lead with compassion, curiosity, and humility as a servant leader. I get excited talking through processes and finding unexplored ways to solve organizational challenges. Nothing gets me more animated than tackling “the way things have always been done” when those ways are no longer effective. Our students deserve it, and we need to invest in the structures that make postsecondary education such a valuable endeavor.