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Rooted in Culture
Olivier Charles on Building Institutions for the Future
Episode 12 | April 2026
Three Conversation Topics:
- Leading as a Community Champion
- The Belgian Horse Theory
- Innovation Without Fear
Summary
Olivier Charles, President of Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Alabama, has led his institution to an 81% enrollment increase since 2022 by building a campus culture rooted in collective strength, community connection, and a willingness to reimagine what higher education can look like. In this conversation with host Todd Abbott, President Charles shares what it means to lead the institution he walked past as a child, how his Belgian Horse Theory shapes every hiring decision and team dynamic at Bishop State, and why innovation in higher education is less about invention and more about reimagination. His three pieces of rapid-fire advice for aspiring leaders are as practical as they are memorable.
TOPICS: Presidential Leadership — Community College
Key Moments in This Episode
Topic 1 | Leading as a Community Champion
[00:50] Roots, Responsibility, and the Meaning of Leadership
President Charles reflects on returning to lead the institution he walked past as a child growing up in Mobile, Alabama. He describes the humility of the role and why seeing the impact of your work directly in your own community transforms leadership from a job into a calling.
[05:30] What the System Office Taught Him About Leading a Campus
Drawing on his time as Vice Chancellor for Student Success at the Alabama Community College System, President Charles explains how a statewide vantage point sharpened his ability to lead at the campus level. He shares how that perspective informed his team's approach to enrollment technology and cross-institution collaboration.
Topic 2 | The Belgian Horse Theory
[10:58] Introducing the Belgian Horse Theory
President Charles unpacks the leadership philosophy that captivated the entire audience at the 2025 experience: LIAISON conference. He explains why the Belgian horse, the world's strongest horse, becomes exponentially more powerful in a group, and how he uses this concept to guide critical decisions at Bishop State.
[16:15] Candor, Self-Awareness, and the Culture of a High-Functioning Team
Referencing Patrick Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team and his own Myers-Briggs self-assessment, President Charles describes what it looks like when a leadership team can push back respectfully. He makes the case that this kind of psychological safety is not just healthy but essential to institutional transformation.
Topic 3 | Innovation Without Fear
[21:25] Meeting Students Where They Are
President Charles challenges the assumption that innovation always means something entirely new. He shares how Bishop State's annual spring road show, a traveling admissions and enrollment day that visits every high school in the service area, has become a highly effective driver of enrollment growth.
[25:50] Reimagining Higher Education for the Next Decade
Looking ten years out, President Charles argues that institutions must stop playing defense and start shaping the narrative around the value of their programs. He calls on leaders to reimagine not just what they teach, but how they name, present, and position education for the students and communities they serve.
Closing | Three Pieces of Advice for Aspiring Leaders
[30:19] Rapid-Fire Wisdom
President Charles closes with three lessons for emerging leaders: say yes to every opportunity because growth follows, listen before you speak because someone else often has the better idea, and learn the language of leadership so you can present your ideas in a way that moves people to action.
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Featuring
Todd Abbott
Vice President, Business Development, Liaison
Todd Abbott is a higher education leader with 28 years of experience. As a Vice President at Liaison, he partners with colleges and universities to strengthen their enrollment operations and achieve their strategic goals. His expertisespans enrollment, marketing, and student retention, including leadership roles on campus and in the industry. A former Dean of Enrollment, Todd champions data-informed strategies that prioritize student success and institutional growth.
Olivier Charles
President, Bishop State Community College
Since July 2022, President Olivier Charles has led Bishop State to become one of the fastest-growing community colleges in Alabama and one of the nation's emerging leaders in technical education. In less than three years, the college has doubled its enrollment, achieved significant gains in retention and completion rates, strengthened its workforce impact, and dramatically improved its financial position. Today, Bishop State ranks fifth in the country in awarding technical certificates - an achievement that reflects President Charles' strong focus on workforce development and student success.
A champion of community engagement, President Charles believes deeply in the power of partnerships to drive regional economic growth. Under his leadership, Bishop State has strengthened collaborations with business, industry, and civic organizations to ensure that academic programs remain responsive to workforce demands while creating clear pathways to sustainable careers.
His leadership and service have earned numerous honors, including the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award for Presidents, the NC3 Leadership Award, the Champion of Youth Award from the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama, and the Elbert Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award. President Charles is a graduate of the 33rd class of Leadership Alabama, an inductee of the Society of the Golden Key at his alma matter UWA, and a Grind Pinnacle Award recipient.
Most recently, President Charles was presented the Fredericka G. Evans Community Leader Award by the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA) in recognition of his leadership and commitment to uplifting the community. The award was given in honor of Fredericka G. Evans' enduring legacy of integrity, mentorship, and service - qualities that President Charles strives to exemplify through both his professional leadership and community involvement.
President Charles views collaboration as essential to student success and regional economic growth. He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and migrated to the United States at the age of 10. He and his wife, Dr. Angela Charles, live in Mobile and are proud parents to their daughter, Claire.
Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the participants of 'Three in 30' are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Liaison.