Table of Contents

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Table of Contents 1 Welcome from the Guest Editor — HTML format • PDF format Daniel P. Nadler 2 Editor’s Remarks — HTML format • PDF format G. David Gearhart What College Presidents Should Know 4 What College Presidents Need to Know about the Chief Diversity Officer...

Guest Editor’s Remarks

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Dear Friends and Colleagues, I am truly grateful to the staff of the National Lab for the Study of the College President for allowing me to be a part of their family during this very strange and challenging academic year. I have been impressed by the Arkansas team, and will be excited to see their Handbook on College and University Leadership in the summer of 2021.

Editor’s Remarks

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Dear Colleagues: Dr. Miller and I are most pleased to share with you the fourth 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. While this year has been a great challenge for everyone given the Covid Pandemic the Lab continues to work on a wide variety of issues about the contemporary college president.

What University College Presidents Need to Know about the Chief Diversity Officer Position

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Abstract – Renewing commitments to historical injustices, tackling declining numbers of underrepresented students, addressing national outrage to racial and social inequities, and attempting to retain faculty, staff, and students of color on campus are all complex issues that become part of the role of a Chief Diversity Officer on college campuses today. The Chief Diversity Officer can be “a strategic partner, invested leader, and change agent- who helps colleges and universities move forward on the path to address inclusion with policies, programs, and people” (Aguilar, 2020). This article provides guidance to university presidents on how to best support the CDO on their respective campuses.

What College Presidents Need to Know about Honors Colleges

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Abstract – In just the past few decades, honors colleges have increasingly become an important feature of the undergraduate experience at public universities across the nation. From the recruitment of students in order to help stem “brain drain” from a state to the cultivation of alumni donors, an honors college can play a critical role in an institution’s overall success. This article will discuss five specific areas that college presidents need to know about how honors college function and the issues they often face, with the goal of furthering an executive leader’s knowledge of these programs. Good. You are the right person to write this and it will be helpful for our Honors APLU organization. We are doing a session at APLU on the position of an Honors Dean within the context of upper-administration.

The Climb to the Top: Advice for Aspiring Black and African American College and University Presidents

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Abstract – The purpose of this paper was to provide practical advice on how Black and African American college and university presidential aspirants may adequately prepare themselves for such a pivotal leadership role. Seven Black and African American college and university presidents from a variety of institutional types (community colleges, four-year institutions, Predominately White Institutions [PWI], and Minority-Serving Institutions[MSI]) across the United States answered a simple question: What advice can you offer to aspiring Black and African American college and university presidents to adequately prepare them for this leadership role? The authors supplemented their responses with highlights of professional development opportunities for aspiring Black and African American college and university presidents to consider as part of their career trajectory.

Becoming a Champion of Orientation

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Abstract – New student orientation programs are one of the most important high impact practices for student success. These introductory programs not only empower students to be able to self-identify how their academic support needs can be met, they also provide the critically important introduction to building social support networks. College presidents must embrace the critical role of new student orientation programs, understand their complexities, and find ways to illustrate the role of these programs to faculty, staff, and students.

Liaison, Delegates, and Advisors: An Examination of the Chief of Staff Role on College Campuses

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Abstract – The chief of staff role first emerged as a military and government position to strategize battles and advise generals centuries ago (O’Brien, 2020). It has been more common in the United States to find chiefs of staff (or COS) in political environments: The White House chief of staff often comes to mind when the title is mentioned. In recent years the role has been adopted by corporate entities. Companies often create and hire individuals into the title to organize senior level, institution work (Ciampa, 2020) and the corporatization and resulting organizational changes in higher education (Bleikliea &  Kogan, 2007) have led to the adoption of the COS role by college presidents as well.  Following discussions with, and the review of credentials of, nine incumbent chiefs of staff and a review of position descriptions of a handful of others, some trends emerged and are reported here.

Stepping Down? Theorizing the Process of Returning to the Faculty After Senior Academic Leadership

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Abstract – While scholars have devoted considerable attention to identifying and developing future academic leaders, scant empirical research has considered the firsthand experiences of senior leaders who returned to the faculty. This grounded theory study developed a theoretical understanding of the process of returning to the faculty after serving as a senior campus administrator. This research examined a common academic rite of passage using the analysis of interviews with 43 former college presidents, provosts, deans, and “other senior leaders” from a variety of postsecondary institutions. Academic leaders in the study characterized the process of returning to the faculty as mostly positive and liberating, prompting the need to reconsider the use of the phrase “stepping down” in this context.

The Effectiveness and Priorities of the American College President: Perceptions from the Faculty Lounge

Fall 2020 - Volume 4

Abstract – The American college presidency has become increasingly complex, particularly due to the wide variety of demands placed on the position. Indeed, the effectiveness of a president is often seen through the lens of different constituents. Historically, the faculty have played a key role in determining the success of a president, and the current study sought to identify the perceptions of faculty members regarding the effectiveness of presidents. Additionally, the study sought to compare faculty perception of desired versus actual effectiveness of presidential responsibilities.

Gearhart and Miller Book Focuses on College Leadership

Announcements

Apr 27, 2020 A new book by University of Arkansas professors G. David Gearhart and Michael T. Miller focuses on the challenges, opportunities, rights, and responsibilities of college leaders. Case Studies in College Leadership, The American College President, which...