Laughter breaks out across the room; even a few reluctant smiles appear.

The older professor leans back in her chair and crosses her arms.

Bette grins. ”For the record… I’m old enough to know that leadership isn’t measured by birthdays.” She returns to the podium. ”My expectations are simple.”

The screen changes. The words Respect, Collaboration, and Accountability appear. ”No more departmental silos. No more dismissing younger faculty because they’ve only been here a few years….No more resisting change simply because it’s uncomfortable.”

Bette looks around the room. ”If you have ideas, my door is open. Concerns? My door is open.” She pauses. ”If you have complaints…” She smiles. ”Schedule a meeting.”

Light laughter fills the room.

Bette’s smile softens. ”But if your contribution is simply telling me why something can’t be done…” She shrugs. ”…don’t be surprised if I ask someone else.”

A chorus of quiet groans and murmurs spreads through the room.

Bette hears every one of them. She smiles anyway. ”I know…. Change is exhausting.” She pauses. “But so is mediocrity.”

Silence fills the room again.

Bette then closes her folder. ”I didn’t move across the country to oversee an average department.” She picks up her bottle of water. ”I came here because I believe this faculty is capable of becoming exceptional.” She looks around the room one last time. ”My job is to provide the vision…. Our job is to make it happen.”

Bette smiles warmly. ”Thank you for coming.”

The meeting is over. Faculty members slowly rise from their seats; some head straight for the door, while others remain seated, quietly processing what they just heard….

***

Later, the hallway outside Dean Porter’s office is unusually quiet. Graduate students drift in and out of faculty offices farther down the corridor, but the area near the dean’s suite remains almost empty.

Tina Kennard slumps in one of the leather chairs lining the wall, one ankle resting over the opposite knee as she mindlessly scrolls through her phone.

Beside her, Shane sits completely differently, elbows planted on her knees and hands clasped. Her eyes are fixed on the elevator doors at the end of the hallway.