Editor’s Remarks
Dear Colleagues:
We are pleased to share with you our third volume of the Journal of Research on the College President from the National Lab for the Study of the College President at the University of Arkansas. The Lab continues to work on a wide variety of issues about the contemporary college president.
In 2019, we were proud to be a participating sponsor for the Council for the Study of Community Colleges annual meeting, we hosted Dr. Stephen Nelson on campus, and early in 2020 we are excited to see our Case Studies on College Leadership be released from New Forums Press. Dr. Nelson’s standing-room-only presentation on Dartmouth’s president John G. Kemeny capped a great year for the Lab, and we were incredibly grateful that he was able to join us during a winter of unpredictable weather.
The book we have coming out this winter is being published by our outstanding colleagues at New Forums Press and is entitled “Case Studies on College Leadership: The American College President.” The 15 case studies that focus on the college president, and all of them have a real-life foundation and truth in them. This is a wonderful resource for graduate level courses on the college presidency, and will also be helpful to those studying and teaching leadership in general.
In this issue of the journal we again offer the section “What College Presidents Should Know,” written by subject matter experts from around the country. These short, information-driven articles provide some good insights into some of the ‘blind spots’ college presidents might have, especially as they ascend into their positions.
This issue of the journal also includes five research-based, peer-reviewed manuscripts. We received a total of 19 article submissions, making our acceptance rate right at 31%. Those of us working with the journal do feel that this number of submissions is good evidence that there is an interest in studying the college presidency!
Presidents and chancellors continue to face serious challenges on their campuses that require extraordinary leadership. The major issue of enrollment management and admissions scandals has caused public relations catastrophes for many institutions and it is not over yet. The serious decline in the number of 18-year olds even available to enroll in higher education is putting additional stress and strain on budgets. The hiring and firing of athletics coaches is more prevalent now than ever before and salaries and financial buyouts are straining many programs to breaking points. Presidents and chancellors are worried about a possible impending recession and the impact it could have on all higher education. The challenges of guns on campus continues to be of immediate concern for CEOs. Declining physical plants is another issue that is plaguing our campuses throughout the nation. There is no shortage of serious issues facing the presidency. The journal will continue to provide commentary and research on these topics and many others for your educational enjoyment.
From all of us at the National Lab, please accept our warmest wishes for the end of the semester and the holiday season!
Sincerely,
G. David Gearhart
Co-Editor, Journal of Research on the College President
Director, National Lab for the Study of the College President
Chancellor Emeritus
Professor of Higher Education