A Guide for Leaders in Higher Education: Core Concepts, Competencies, and Tools

At a time when higher education faces the unprecedented challenges of declining revenues and increased scrutiny, questions about access, cost, the value of a degree, and the imperative to educate a more diverse student body have created an urgent need for leadership that is conversant with and able to deploy the competencies, management tools, and strategic skills that go beyond the technical or disciplinary preparation and "on-the-job" training that most leaders have received.

This book is intended as a practical resource for academic and administrative leaders in higher education who seek guidance in dealing with today's complexities, opportunities, and demands. It is also addressed to those who aspire to hold positions of leadership and to the many faculty and staff members who serve in informal leadership roles within their departments, disciplines, or institutions. This book further serves as a guide and resource for those responsible for designing and implementing leadership development programs in higher education.

While recognizing the differences in missions and circumstance across institutional types, the authors begin by offering a foundational understanding of higher education as a sector and of the climate in which it operates. Subsequent sections cover leadership concepts and competencies and offer applies tools for leadership and organizational effectiveness. Each chapter concludes with related case studies and guiding questions for further reflection.

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