The Serendipity of Learning: Openness, Opportunity, and the Liberal Arts with Provost Lena Hill

In this episode, we sit down with Provost Lena Hill, whose vision and leadership maintain the best of the liberal arts education at Washington and Lee. For Hill, education is not only about mastery of a discipline but also about discovery, openness, and the courage to embrace the unexpected. She reflects on her own journey, from studying Renaissance art in Florence to becoming an internationally recognized scholar of Ralph Ellison, and how those formative experiences shape the way she thinks about curriculum, faculty, and students today. From the evolving role of general education to the transformative impact of study abroad, research, and mentoring, Hill shares how W&L empowers students to unlock their potential and pursue lives of meaning. Whether you’re an alum curious about the university’s future, a student navigating your own path, or a lifelong learner seeking inspiration, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that education is both an opportunity and a gift.