Podcast: In conversation with Dr Ana Mari Cauce
December 3, 2025
In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, our host Professor Rafael Bras sits down with Dr. Ana Mari Cauce — a psychologist, educator, and trailblazing leader whose 10-year presidency at the University of Washington shaped one of the most dynamic decades in higher education.
Dr. Cauce shares her journey from “reluctant leader” to transformative president, opening up about moments that defined her leadership — from confronting campus controversies and navigating free speech challenges to advancing diversity and inclusion with honesty and courage.
As one of the first Latina and openly gay presidents of a major U.S. university, Dr. Cauce brings rare depth, vulnerability, and wisdom to the conversation, sharing stories that reveal how personal experience shapes public leadership.
Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, student, or lifelong learner, this episode offers powerful insights into leading with conviction and compassion in times of change. You'll hear about:
Balancing authenticity with leadership expectations
Navigating the tensions between free expression and community safety
Rebuilding public trust in higher education
Why diversity and excellence must go hand in hand
Her views on institutional neutrality, social media, and political polarization on campus
What comes next for academia in a changing world
About this podcast
Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation features in-depth discussions with prominent leaders in academia, business and technology, showcasing their insights to inspire and ignite conversation. It’s hosted by Dr Rafael L Bras, Editor of Not Alone and a Professor in the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.