Re-release: From Provo to NEOM: A Lawyer’s Career in Higher Education

John is joined by Michael K. Young, Professor of Law and former President of Texas A&M University, the University of Washington, and the University of Utah. They discuss Michael’s career in higher education, beginning with his years at Columbia Law School, including two and a half years as a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo, where he established the East Asian Legal Studies Center. The conversation then follows his service at the U.S. Department of State, where he negotiated treaties involving trade, international environmental law, human rights, and the terms under which Germany was reunified.

They also discuss Michael’s tenure as Dean of George Washington Law School and the University of Utah, as well as his later roles as President of the University of Utah, the University of Washington, and Texas A&M University. Michael describes his current work at a research center preparing the entire educational system, from primary school through university, for NEOM, the futuristic megacity project in Saudi Arabia.

Michael explains how his legal training helped him succeed in these leadership roles by maintaining a clear focus on the goals he was trying to achieve, the mission of each institution, and the importance of understanding both sides of every issue. He also shares several leadership lessons, including the need for leaders to genuinely listen, and demonstrate that they have listened, keep everyone focused on the institution’s mission, generously share credit, and take responsibility when things go wrong.

Finally, John and Michael discuss the current controversies surrounding free speech on American college campuses. Michael shares his approach to handling volatile situations involving controversial speakers.

Podcast Link: Law-disrupted.fm
Host: John B. Quinn
Producer: Alexis Hyde
Music and Editing by: Alexander Rossi