The Dean Who Lives On Campus and Shows Up for Everything

This is the story of what happens when student support moves from policy to presence - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it.Holly is the kind of campus leader who turns engagement into trust. As Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Brenau University, she is everywhere students are - at concerts, gallery openings, orientation, and even on campus walks after work. In this conversation, she breaks down why that visibility matters, how a historic women’s college serves a wider and more diverse student body today, and why the best student support starts with asking better questions. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ Why “showing up” is a leadership strategy, not just a personality trait ✅ How Brenau meets students where they are through social media, online programs, and in-person connection ✅ What student retention really depends on: belonging, communication, and early orientation experiences ✅ How to think more clearly about higher ed value, debt, and the different paths students actually need ✅ Why AI is becoming a useful tool for campus teams without replacing the human side of the work ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Holly Taylor joins Hart and Hustle from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia 2:46 - Why Holly says her job works best when she is truly boots on the ground 3:29 - How a shy college student accidentally found her way into higher education 5:50 - The student transformations that remind Holly why the work matters 7:50 - A grounded take on college value, debt, and choosing the right path 9:34 - Meeting today’s students through social media, direct communication, and feedback 11:14 - Why parents and family supporters matter more than ever 12:20 - How AI fits into higher ed and where the learning edge still is 15:09 - The historic women’s college myth and what Brenau actually offers 16:42 - Online learning, residential requirements, and serving veteran students 20:14 - Engagement, retention, and what makes orientation more effective 22:08 - How Brenau keeps alumni connected before graduation even happens 24:03 - Living on campus and staying approachable as a leader 26:40 - Music, hiking, and how Holly protects her own energy 👤 ABOUT HOLLY TAYLOR: Holly Taylor is the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She has worked in higher education for 20 years across four universities, with a career shaped by student leadership, student conduct, orientation, and campus engagement. Her leadership stands out because she combines institutional knowledge with a deeply personal, student-first approach. 🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US: FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai LinkedIn:   / fromfransis   #NonprofitLeadership #HigherEdLeadership #StudentEngagement