ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Date
2013-05-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
stylus publishing, llc.
Abstract
Academic Leadership and Its Consequences
Ifacademicinstitutions functioned in a stable environment, the demands
for leadership would be modest. Vision, mission, programs, and policies
could simply be put on automatic pilot. For colleges and universities,
however, automatic pilots don’t work. The environment is in continual flux,
and the implications and consequences of these changes for the future of
colleges and universities are often profound. Sound, authentic, creative,
empowering leadership is indispensable, and it spells the difference between
healthy, productive, sustainable academic institutions and programs and
those that are in continual crisis, vulnerable, and failing.
One need only reflect on the change that has come about in higher
education over the last century. The very mission and scale of colleges and
universities have been transformed. Institutions are altering the ways and
means of teaching and learning. New directions in research and service to
society are evolving. The costs and benefits of the academic enterprise are in
continual fluctuation and open to challenge. The roles of faculty are differ
ent, as are campus cultures. The very definition of precisely who is served
and touched by academic institutions is in transition. Amid this whirlwind,
the authors of this handbook on academic leadership make a conscious effort
to think afresh about the challenges and opportunities of leadership. The
main themes of the book are grounded in the argument that successful
higher education institutions embrace three essential principles:
1. Sound institutional decisions must be based on a clearly articulated
mission and set of core values.
2. Successful institutional adaptation to a changed environment must
be grounded and aligned with the fundamental mission and core
values.
3. Successful academic leaders must be able to create and foster partner
ships, bringing diverse individuals and interests together around a
shared vision and mission based on common values.