455: From Crisis to Culture Change: How Prairie College Reversed a Downward Spiral

Join Mark Maxwell, President of Prairie College, as he shares the inspiring story of how a struggling campus culture was transformed into a thriving, engaged community. In this conversation with Al Lopus, Mark reveals practical leadership lessons on building trust, valuing employees, and multiplying impact in Christian higher education.

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In this episode:

Facing a Culture in Crisis

• Mark stepped into a campus culture marked by mistrust, mediocrity, and financial strain. (04:23)

• Early signs of struggle included:

  • Poor attendance at prayer gatherings (8–12 people). (07:45)

  • Faculty disengagement and negative campus morale. (05:26)

  • Financial losses of $1 million per year. (04:13)

   

• The turning point came with clear priorities and a focus on the college’s “core knitting”—teaching the whole Bible to every degree-seeking student.

Building Trust and Healthy Communication

• Listening was the catalyst: Mark practiced active listening, repeating back what he heard without always agreeing. (18:04)

• Collaborative decision-making with the management team fostered trust, emphasizing harmony over unanimity. (19:18)

• Feedback groups and open-door availability gave employees confidence that leadership cared about their voice.

• Shift from control to influence: Giving up some control created greater engagement and buy-in. (38:40)

Engaging and Valuing Faculty and Staff

• Mark considers faculty and staff his primary “clients”, believing engaged employees create the best student experience.

• Practical culture-building initiatives included:

  • Monthly family meetings with 10-minute culture talks. (23:23)

  • The “You Rock!” award recognizing exceptional contributions. (22:10)

  • Creative potluck awards (cowbell, ladle, salad tongs) to turn dreaded events into community highlights. (31:28)

  • Campus-wide prayer meetings grew to 50–60 attendees, strengthening spiritual unity. (34:08)

   

• Leadership development and training:

  • Participation in the Global Leadership Summit. (22:45)

  • Crucial Conversations training for all employees. (23:10)

   

Leadership and Decision-Making Principles

• The 4 Cs for hiring and culture fit (25:44):

• • Character – integrity, work ethic, and teachability (26:19)

  • Competence – skill in one’s role (27:24)

  • Chemistry – relational kindness and team fit (27:23)

  • Calling – the spiritual cushion that sustains long-term commitment (25:54)

• Attitude is everything: A negative attitude is “infinitely harmful” to culture and effectiveness. (26:24)

• Weighted input, not unanimity: Opinions are heard and weighed, but decisions favor the person closest to the issue.

Impact on Students and Organizational Health

• Spiritual and cultural revival on campus:

  • 98% affirm the mission “To know Christ and make Him known” (36:05)

  • 96% say they love God more deeply while at Prairie (36:20)

  • 94% say being a student at Prairie is enjoyable (36:27)

   

• Financial turnaround: From a $1 million deficit to a $1 million surplus, with donor support growing ~50%. (34:24)

• Bible curriculum redesign to seven core courses covering the entire canon became a signature distinctive, resonating with parents, pastors, and donors. (42:42)

Key Takeaways for Leaders

• A crisis is a God-given opportunity to:

  • Express faith

  • Clarify priorities

  • Make swift, necessary changes

   

• Influence grows as control decreases—availability and trust-building matter more than rigid professionalism.

• Culture change is contagious: When leaders value employees, employees multiply impact for students and the broader mission. (42:00)

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