Jeremy Lowe, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Admission at American University, has built his leadership style on lessons from three seemingly different places: the punk rock stage, long walks through D.C., and intentional pauses in the face of challenges. In this conversation, Jeremy shares how getting heckled and booed by 1,500 fans taught him resilience, how a 10-mile-a-day walking habit (unbroken since 2020) fuels his problem-solving, and why under-reacting has become one of his most valuable tools as a leader. Along the way, he reflects on belonging, fun, and helping students focus on who they are becoming.
00:00 – Jeremy’s intro from the nation’s capital and a callback to Lisa Keegan’s “why isn’t Jeremy on the show?” moment.
02:50 – Six years on the National Merit Scholarship Review committee and why the work (and mission) is often misunderstood. (Plus a shout-out to Tim McGuire.)
08:16 – Origin story: from C-student in St. Petersburg, FL, to punk rock guitarist in a band called Free Sample.
11:18 – On getting heckled and booed by 1,500 fans ... and why it's awesome.
13:40 – Lessons from punk rock that translate to admissions: resilience, self-promotion, logistics, and collaboration.
15:18 – Barton College, wearing many hats, and finding a professional home at American University.
18:46 – Walking 10 miles a day since 2020: solitude, reflection, and a cast of characters
23:06 – Walking as problem-solving and stress relief, including during the national search for his current role.
26:20 – The email-to-self system for capturing ideas mid-stride.
27:48 – Advice to his younger self: know you belong, have fun, and help students focus on becoming.
30:36 – Balancing joy and gravity in higher ed: why underreacting is a leadership superpower.
33:43 – Music-sharing at weekly team meetings as a culture-builder.
35:40 – Touching grass: reconnecting with students to stay grounded.
36:39 – Packing the backpack for a leadership climb: curiosity and networking.
41:33 – “Networking is better than not working.”
42:07 – Rapid Descent.
The ALP is supported by RHB, a division of SIG. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment
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