Amanda York

I attribute my success to growing up in Maine and to my parents. Maine’s way of life “The Way Life Should Be” shapes something in people that is hard to put into words. It’s a quiet toughness, a deep connection to the outdoors, and an almost stubborn willingness to show up no matter what the season brings, and in Maine the seasons will humble you every single time. My parents built on that foundation and instilled in me a sense of commitment, grit and persistence that has never left. They taught me that challenges shouldn’t be avoided, they are things to chase, because that’s where we grow in life. I carry Maine with me everywhere I go, and everytime I walk into a hard situation or take on something difficult, I remember where I came from and the people who raised me to never back down from it. 

The best career advice I ever received was simple: be honest, even when it's uncomfortable, and communicate before silence becomes a problem. I’ve seen firsthand that the professionals who rise aren't always the most technically skilled, they're the ones people trust, and trust is built through transparency, owning mistakes, and having the courage to speak up before small issues become big ones. 

Invest relentlessly in yourself. The landscape of higher education is always shifting, and the professionals who stay ahead are the ones who treat their own growth with the same urgency they bring to their students'. Seek out certifications, pursue advanced degrees, attend the conferences, and say yes to the stretch opportunities, because the more you know, the more effectively you can advocate for change from the inside. Most importantly, commit to leaving every role, every program, and every institution better than you found it. That standard, small as it may seem, is what separates people who simply move through a career from those who actually shape one. In a field where the work is never truly finished, your drive to improve what exists is the most powerful tool you will ever have.

One of the most significant shifts in higher education right now is the growing pressure to prove its value, and as the cost of a degree rises and artificial intelligence reshapes industries overnight, that pressure is not entirely unwarranted. Students and families are asking whether it is worth it, and that question is pushing institutions to do something long overdue: get serious about connecting education to outcomes through real, sustained corporate partnerships that co-design curriculum and create workforce pipelines. AI isn't going away, and rather than fearing it, higher education has an opportunity to double down on what it does best, teaching people how to think critically, solve problems, and connect with others in ways that technology simply cannot replace. 

Integrity and honesty are the two values I hold closest, because at the heart of both is a deep respect for the people in my life — personally and professionally. In my personal relationships, showing up as someone who means what they say is one of the most loving things I can do for the people I care about. Professionally, that same commitment becomes the foundation of trust, when people know you will follow through, they feel safe investing in you and the work you are building together. I have found that leading with these values takes the noise out of relationships on both sides of that line. There is no guessing, no uncertainty, just a genuine connection rooted in consistency and care. At the end of the day, being someone people can truly count on is one of the things I am most proud of, and it is something I work at every single day.