UW President’s Podcast Features Gov. Mark Gordon

University of Wyoming President Shane Reeves welcomes Gov. Mark Gordon for the latest episode of “UWyo Spotlight,” a monthly podcast featuring conversations with people helping shape the future of the university and the state it serves.

In the nearly hourlong conversation, Gordon and Reeves discuss leadership; Wyoming’s tradition of independence; the role of higher education in the state’s future; economic diversification; emerging technologies; and the importance of preparing Wyoming students for a rapidly changing world.

Gordon, who is completing his second term as Wyoming’s governor, reflects on nearly eight years as the state’s chief executive and his decades of public service, including his previous role as Wyoming state treasurer.

“It’s so important that the university be an economic driver, that it lead in so many ways on the economic diversification that comes from having a great institution,” the governor says.

Gordon also discusses what he believes Wyoming residents expect from the university, including strong academic programs, research that benefits the state, preparation for the workforce and an educational experience that develops independent and resourceful graduates.

“People want to make sure that the kids that go here come out with the kind of cultural values that are so important to Wyoming -- that independence, that strength of character,” he says. “They want to make sure that they’re independent, strong, resourceful and able to make up their own minds.”

Episodes of “UWyo Spotlight” are available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts and can be accessed here.

The conversation between Reeves and Gordon comes at a pivotal time for Wyoming and UW as the state considers opportunities associated with artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, new energy technologies and continued economic diversification.

Gordon says Wyoming should approach those developments by confronting challenges and working to solve them rather than retreating from change.

Reeves and Gordon also discuss the evolving role of education in an era of AI. Both emphasize the need to prepare students not simply to acquire information, but to apply knowledge, exercise judgment and adapt to technological change.

“We’re not building robots; what we’re doing is trying to educate humans,” Gordon says. “We can do it in a way that’s meaningful, thoughtful and leads to better things.”

Gordon points to several areas in which he believes UW is making important contributions to Wyoming, including energy research, wildlife and natural resources, agriculture and education.

Throughout the conversation, Reeves and Gordon return to the importance of UW’s relationship with the people of Wyoming. Gordon encourages the university to continue engaging communities across the state and listening to the perspectives of Wyoming residents.

Gordon’s closing message to Wyoming residents underscores the central purpose of “UWyo Spotlight.”

“To the people of Wyoming, this is your institution,” he says. “Be engaged. This is a president who wants to hear from you. This is a great institution with a great future.”

“UWyo Spotlight” is hosted by Reeves and features conversations with students, faculty, researchers, alumni, Wyoming leaders and others whose work and experiences help tell the story of UW and its role in the state.