When Michael Walsh joined the 2024–2025 cohort of the Leadership & Society Initiative (LSI) at the University of Chicago, he wasn’t seeking a pause, he was seeking a pathway to continue pursuing his purpose and making a meaningful difference. Now, as a Returning Scholar, he is continuing to deepen engagement, expanding both his impact and intellectual pursuits. We sat down with Michael to reflect on his journey from LSI Fellow to Returning Scholar.
What first drew you to the Leadership & Society Initiative, and how did that experience shape your thinking?
Michael: For years, I had been thinking about joining a program designed for people who had completed their career but weren’t finished contributing to society. I didn’t have a clear idea of what was next, I just knew I wasn’t done yet.
When I learned about LSI, it felt like the right framework at the right time. The program’s guiding question in the application process, “What world problem keeps you up at night?”, was especially powerful for me. During the pandemic, I became deeply concerned about the rise of medical misinformation and the real-world consequences it was having. Given my background in medical technology and pharmaceuticals, I’ve spent decades learning the language of medicine and science. I realized that this fluency was not just professional, it was a responsibility.
LSI gave me the space to refine my sense of purpose, helping me move from a broad desire to ‘make a difference’ to a more focused vision for the next chapter. The fellowship was both intellectually rigorous and personally clarifying. Returning to the classroom after decades reminded me how much I love being a student and it energized me in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
What inspired you to continue your studies through the Returning Scholar program?
Michael: During my time in the LSI fellowship, I rediscovered how much I value access to a university community and intellectual stimulation. When I learned about the Returning Scholar program at the University of Chicago Graham School, it felt like a natural next step.
The program allows me to remain connected to the University and continue taking courses across disciplines. Some of the classes I’ve chosen directly inform my next chapter roadmap, exploring questions about science skepticism, truth in public discourse, and the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies. Others I’ve taken simply out of curiosity. I’ve always loved learning, and the opportunity to pursue both practical and purely intellectual interests is a gift.
The Returning Scholar program strikes a balance. It provides continued access to the University’s resources while allowing me to chart my own course.
How does being part of the Graham community influence your learning and growth?
Michael: The Graham community creates a structure for deep, two-way learning. I’ve spent much of my life learning independently through reading, research, and professional experience. But what I’ve come to appreciate over the past two years is that the most transformative learning happens in dialogue.
Discussion-based classes require you to listen carefully, think on your feet, and move the conversation forward. That kind of intellectual exchange leaves a lasting imprint. It’s one thing to absorb information in a lecture; it’s another to test your thinking in real time with others who are equally engaged.
I’ve also valued the intergenerational aspect of the classroom. Sitting alongside undergraduates and graduate students brings fresh perspectives into the room. They bring theoretical depth and new frameworks; I bring decades of practical experience. The result is a dynamic exchange that benefits everyone. It’s a powerful reminder that learning is not bound by age, it’s strengthened by diversity of experience.
What questions or ideas are you most excited to explore in this next chapter?
Michael: My central focus remains on understanding and addressing the forces that shape public trust in science and medicine. Courses exploring science and liberalism, post-truth culture, and the philosophy of artificial intelligence have helped me examine these issues from multiple angles.
I’m especially interested in how emerging technologies, particularly AI, can be leveraged as tools for positive change. If misinformation spreads through digital platforms, then perhaps digital platforms can also be part of the solution. The challenge is complex, but that’s part of what makes it meaningful.
At the same time, I’m committed to continuing to explore subjects simply because they spark curiosity. If something intrigues me, whether it’s astrophysics or evolutionary perspectives on health, I want to pursue it.
Looking back on your journey from LSI Fellow to Returning Scholar, what has surprised or inspired you the most?
Michael: It has been truly inspiring to see how discussion-driven learning shapes understanding. Experiencing the University of Chicago’s inquiry-based approach firsthand has reinforced for me that dialogue is at the heart of intellectual growth.
It has also been gratifying to realize that experience counts. Decades spent in business and health care have given me a perspective that contributes meaningfully in the classroom. At the same time, engaging with students and faculty keeps me intellectually humble and curious.
At our LSI closing luncheon, I said that I hadn’t expected the program to feel like a fountain of youth but in many ways, it has. I feel more energized, more engaged, and more purposeful than I did two years ago.
The journey from LSI Fellow to Returning Scholar hasn’t been about extending a program, it’s been about extending a way of life: one grounded in inquiry, contribution, and the belief that learning is lifelong.
For Fellows like Michael, the Returning Scholar program offers more than classes, it provides a space to engage deeply, challenge assumptions, and continue a lifelong journey of learning. Interested in continuing your own intellectual journey? Explore the Returning Scholar program at the University of Chicago Graham School and discover what’s possible in your next chapter.
