Thyra Briggs: Baseball, Cover Letters, Grace and Transparency

From a childhood “baseball club” in Boston to becoming a Dean of Admission at just 27, Thyra Briggs, Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid at Harvey Mudd College, has built a career defined by curiosity, courage, and care.

In this episode of The Admissions Leadership Podcast, Thyra reflects on the role of baseball in her story—including a thoughtful gift from Ray Brown and why she’s known as “Aunt Bob”—and the way cover letters have become her personal test for knowing when an opportunity is truly the right fit. She also talks about the leadership qualities that have shaped her approach over three decades: the grace to assume good intent, and the transparency to build trust with colleagues and counselors alike.

Along the way, she shares what it’s like to lead through moments of risk—especially during a tricky moment when she was the board president for the Common Application—the lessons she’s carried from Sarah Lawrence to Harvey Mudd, and why “never say never” has been a guiding theme in her professional life.

00:00 – Introduction: From Boston roots to Harvey Mudd.
01:20 – The “baseball club” and why her brother still calls her “Bob.”
05:00 – A special baseball: one of the most meaningful gifts ever.
07:00 – Growing up a Red Sox fan (and marrying a Yankees fan).
10:24 – From Connecticut College to Sarah Lawrence: first career steps.
13:00 – Four presidents, two institutions, and why she’s stayed.
15:30 – Choosing small colleges, quality of life, and cabinet-level impact.
18:10 – New presidents, new challenges, and the affordability task force.
21:25 – Academic roots in religion and child development, and the “never say never” theme.
23:00 – Public speaking fears, Common App crisis leadership, and surviving “majestic flop sweat.”
26:47 – Moving west: the serendipity of Harvey Mudd.
29:50 – How she decides which opportunities to pursue (and the cover letter test).
32:09 – A big risk: becoming Dean of Admission at 27.
36:00 – Mentors, financial aid partners, and learning with humility.
39:45 – Two leadership cornerstones: grace and transparency.
42:40 – Generational shifts in the profession and evolving work expectations.
45:55 – Rapid Descent

The ALP is supported by RHB, a division of SIG. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment