Brian Bruess, Ph.D., president of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, on creating environments for optimal growth

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Brian Bruess, Ph.D., president of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSB+SJU), has a clear memory of a conversation he had with his wife when they were leaving graduate school in Athens, Ohio. 

“After (we spent) five years grinding away in graduate school, Carol and I were driving out of Athens. We made a commitment to each other that we’re in this more vocationally than we are career-wise. We wanted to make choices that would reflect our values in terms of how we led and the kinds of work we did,” Bruess says in the latest episode of the Off the Record podcast. 

Bruess says his dissertation looked at moral reasoning and identity formation in college-age students and explored how to create environments for their optimal growth. Helping students become something they’ve not yet even imagined for themselves is pretty important work, he says: “I’m not sure if there’s a better job in the country.” 

Hosts Kathy Robideau, market president and publisher of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, and Dave Faust, president and CEO of Platinum Bank, explore changes in education in their wide-ranging conversation with Bruess. Listen to the episode to hear more about: 

·      Why Bruess developed an interest in higher education as a student himself. 

·      How Bruess’ high expectations coming into his role as president of CSB+SJU have been exceeded. 

·      Innovating new programs by giving resources to talented faculty members. 

·      Splitting time among three offices — and where the fourth one should be. 

·      Areas of study that are next up on Bruess’ to-learn list. 

Leaders like Bruess understand the value of moving quickly and acting creatively, just like Platinum Bank. Learn more about business banking with a different kind of bank.