Dr. Kristi Mindrup began her career at Western Illinois University in 1997, when the institution opened its Quad Cities campus in the IBM building in Moline.
Through the years, she has worked her way up through the ranks.
“My first role, I think the classification was called Clerk 3, and my assignment was to answer the phones on nights and weekends in our building,” she said.
Mindrup said her responsibilities grew as the campus grew. Most recently, she’s been Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations.
Now, pending approval by WIU’s Board of Trustees this month, she will become the university’s interim president on April 1.
“I feel called to serve the university at this time. I feel so fortunate to be able to serve my university,” Mindrup said.
She will replace Dr. Guiyou Huang, who is stepping down after serving as WIU’s president since January 1, 2021.
TSPR spoke with Mindrup and Huang in the president’s office in Sherman Hall on the Macomb campus on Tuesday morning, March 5, just a few days after the university announced the change in leadership.
Mindrup’s background
Mindrup said while working on her master’s degree at WIU, a faculty member inspired her to pursue a PhD, which opened the doors to working in administration.
“I think my career and my education as a result of my time at Western Illinois University is what our university is all about,” she said.
“It’s just imagining new possibilities for students – to put them in a position where they can aspire, where they can think about their dreams, and start to imagine themselves in new ways that they hadn’t thought about before.”
Mindrup said she cares deeply about Western, and has worked across many different areas, which has given her an opportunity to view the institution from a wide variety of perspectives.
“I see so much opportunity built on the foundation that Dr. Huang established and others before him as well. There’s a lot of opportunity for this university to really shine and especially to evolve,” she said.
What to expect on April 1
Mindrup already has a list of what to focus on when she takes office:
- Fiscal sustainability and scalability for the things the university wants to accomplish. “That’s the foundation of everything that we want to do.”
- Creating an environment for students, faculty, staff, and the community members that promotes a culture of kindness that allows everyone to thrive together
- Thinking about excellence in innovation in program and student development. “We want to have the programs and experiences that attract students that make Western Illinois University their first choice.”
Mindrup also said university leaders have been listening intently to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.
“We really want to focus our attention on building capacity and resources in the areas that we’re hearing, and that the data tell us, are growth opportunities for the university,” she said.
Mindrup said the landscape of higher education is changing, so she considers that in terms of how to recruit students, what programs will attract them, and the types of experiences they hope to have while at Western.
Looking beyond the ‘interim’ title
TSPR asked Mindrup if she will seek to be president permanently.
“If I’m honest, this wasn’t on my bingo card in the first place. So, I haven’t had time to absorb thinking about the long-term after. But the university has my full commitment for whatever timeframe that I’ll be appointed to this interim position,” she said.
She said the board approached her about serving as interim president
“When there is an opportunity presented to you, particularly at an important juncture for a university that you care so deeply about, you say yes to the opportunity,” Mindrup said.
She called herself a collaborative leader, and said she looks forward to working with everyone to move the institution forward.
She also said she will be fully invested in and present on both campuses.
She plans to be in Macomb frequently. “This is where the action is as far as university planning.”
President Huang’s departure
President Huang emphasized during our conversation that he chose to leave at this time.
Huang: “There’s no perfect timing, especially leaving in the middle of the semester, not at the end of it. That could create a perception that may not be accurate. Once you make up your mind, there’s no point in procrastinating another day, another month. So, it’s me. It’s my decision.”
TSPR: “And the decision is entirely yours? No one suggested maybe it was time for you to leave?”
Huang: “No one. Entirely mine. 100%.”
He said his wife has been teaching in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, forcing her to live in two places for a while before leaving Macomb and moving there. Huang said there is not a perfect time to leave a job, but he wanted his family to be together now.
Huang said WIU is in a good place as he prepares to depart.
“I think the place is in fine shape and we have people in place, and I’m happy with my decision to move on,” he said.
Huang listed his administration’s accomplishments as including:
- Increases in international enrollment
- Improvements in the town and gown relationships in both Macomb and Moline
- Pay increases for faculty and staff
- The start of construction on the Center for Performing Arts in Macomb
- Establishment of the Anti-Racism Task Force and the JIDE office (Justice, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity)
During his time at WIU, Huang emphasized the three R’s: recruitment, retention, and revenues. He thinks Western has made progress on those fronts thanks to the support and involvement of colleagues.
He said the administration managed to stabilize enrollment his first couple years, but this year has been a bit more challenging. He said enrollment dropped because of the earlier-than-predicted arrival of the enrollment cliff – a time in which high school graduating classes are quite a bit smaller, meaning colleges and universities across the country are competing from a smaller pool of potential applicants.
“We have a recruitment plan, a retention plan, a lot of ideas have been implemented and acted on. I expect to see some positive progress in the next few years,” he said.
Future plans
Huang has worked in education for 41 years. He wants to relax for a while and enjoy free time with his family.
In addition, he might finish work on a book he wrote in 1998. It hasn’t been published because he hasn’t had time to revise it.
He also might do some consulting work.
“I haven’t thought it through yet. A lot of thing are floating around in my head,” Huang said. “But I’ll be watching WIU from a distance.”
Huang said the university will be in good hands with Mindrup.
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