About this episode

In this farewell episode, President Satish Tripathi reflects on his 22-year legacy of leadership and innovation at the University at Buffalo.

What does it take to lead a university for over two decades, and still love the work? In this special farewell episode of Start the Week with Wisdom , hosts Bridget Burns and Sarah Custer sit down with President Satish Tripathi of the University at Buffalo as he reflects on a remarkable 22-year legacy of leadership, innovation, and transformation. With retirement on the horizon, President Tripathi shares candid reflections on what’s changed, what he’s proudest of, and what it really takes to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and change. From moving a medical school to revitalizing a city, to pioneering national research in AI and drug discovery, Tripathi’s tenure is marked by bold vision and patient execution. But beyond the milestones, he shares what shaped his leadership, from growing up in a small Indian village to navigating crises like the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also offers unfiltered advice for aspiring higher ed leaders, and a surprising answer about what he’s looking forward to most after stepping down. Key Takeaways: Big change requires long-term vision : Transformational projects like relocating UB’s medical school or launching NSF research…

People in this episode

Hosts: Bridget Burns, Sarah Custer

Guest: Satish Tripathi

Topics covered

• university leadership
• innovation
• higher education
• legacy
• transformation

Keywords

• university leadership
• innovation
• higher education
• legacy
• AI
• drug discovery
• COVID-19

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University at Buffalo

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