- Date published
Revisiting our Untethered discussion with Dr. Carol Taylor.
The Untethered series at Missouri State University’s efactory was designed to capture the wisdom of transitioning and retiring community leaders, and we recently hosted an unforgettable conversation with Dr. Carol Taylor. Known for her dynamic tenure as President of Evangel University from 2013 to 2020, Carol shared a career full of unexpected pivots, fierce advocacy, and a deep reliance on the “gift” of seeing what others see in you.
The Unplanned Journey
Carol’s life began with a strong foundation of values, shaped not by lectures but by example.
“I grew up in a family where the values were hard work, family and faith,” she shared, recalling how her father took a second job to ensure she and her brother could go to college. This commitment led her to Evangel University, the start of a journey she never planned.
“I had no grand master plan. I still don’t,” she quipped.
Her early vision went no further than being an elementary school teacher, but as she learned, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plan.”
The adventure began when a serendipitous conversation led her to teach in a Greek Orthodox school, launching her into cross-cultural communications and eventually higher education. Her philosophy?
“You just do the next thing, and you don’t know where that might lead you. So just be open to the adventure.”
From Lowly Post-Doc to the "Big Guns"
One of the most defining and unexpected leaps in Carol’s career came when she was recommended for a director role at Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization behind tests like the SAT and GRE.
She was incredulous at the opportunity of a key leadership role in ETS’s international division.
“Those are the big guns. And I am a lowly one-year post-doc. I am not ready for that at all.”
Her mentor and advocate from Florida State University had recommended her, Dr. Rick Jenks saw more, telling her: “Carol, you don’t even know it, but you were made to do that job.“
Convinced she was only invited as a courtesy and curious about such an opportunity in Princeton, she went into the interview relaxed and honest about her approach. And when they offered her the role, her first reaction was that they were joking. During her time at ETS, she managed multi-million-dollar programs and worked with top-tier researchers and national leaders in the field of assessment.
“There are times when people see things in us that we don’t see in ourselves. And those are really, really gifts.”
Leading While Female: The Burden of the First
Throughout her career, especially at the executive level in both public and private Christian higher education, fields where female presidents remain rare, Dr. Taylor faced the unique challenges of being a pioneer.
“The number of female presidents at research one universities is about 21%,” she noted. The number dwindles quickly when focusing on Christian higher education…something closer to 8%, she estimated.
As the first female Vice Provost at Biola and the first female President at Vanguard, she understood the pressure. When asked about being the first woman, she stated: “You have to prove yourself, and you are aware that your performance may open or close the door for other capable women.”
Her advice to other women pursuing opportunities is clear.
“Don’t miss the opportunity because it didn’t come to you in the traditional or right way,” she said. “When things are tough, take a breath and remind yourself, ‘Perhaps this is why I am here.'”
Surviving the Impossible: A Tiny Cloud of Hope
The most defining challenge came when she was serving as Provost at Vanguard University. She was suddenly thrust into the role of acting president when the school was found to be facing financial distress and loss of accreditation. After a brutally hostile meeting with the accrediting commission, she received a list of seven near-impossible demands for survival in a short period of time.
She went home that Friday night and confessed, “I don’t think we’re going to make it. This is not possible.”
At 4 a.m. the next morning, she woke up recalling a biblical story where a prophet’s servant saw only “a tiny, tiny cloud the size of a man’s fist.” The prophet knew that was enough to signal the drought’s end.
She took this message to her campus leaders.
“Sometimes a tiny cloud on the horizon is enough.”
This faith, paired with the African proverb she shared, “When you pray, move your feet,” was the motivation they needed. They survived the impossible, getting off probation in one year.
The Anatomy of a Level 5 Leader
When discussing what makes the best leaders, Carol turned to the research of Jim Collins. He created the framework of the Level 5 Leader, defined by a “paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.”
The red flag, she warns, is the shift where leadership becomes self-serving.
“When it shifts from actually, no, you exist to serve me. You exist to make me famous… that’s the dark side of leadership, and every red flag should go up.”
Ultimately, the best leaders lead with heart and a deep love for the organization they serve.
This “affair of the heart,” as researchers Kouzes and Posner describe it, is what ensures persistence, courage, and commitment, she said.
Unplugging and Renewing
To sustain a demanding career, Carol emphasized the necessity of renewal, making time for silence and contemplative time a non-negotiable part of her life.
“You’ve got to be intentional about finding time when you step away,” she stated.
For her, this included scheduling five days of total silence annually, often at a retreat center, and listening to audiobooks and inspiring stories while driving. Her commitment to learning is also evident in her extensive book list on leadership and “soul care,” which she was eager to share with the audience.
“Whatever it is that gives you life and allows you to renew, you’ve got to build that into your schedule to do,” she said. “And keeping a sense of humor is really important.”
Her final advice for leaders facing transitions or challenges is simple: “You’ve got to get quiet enough and really think through, why am I here? Have I done what I came here to do? Is it time to be open to another opportunity?”
Ultimately, her journey, which ended where it began at Evangel, reinforces her favorite core truth that people are the best part of every role in every facet of your life.
“It’s always the people.”