Reimagining the Academic Presidency
A Leadership Guide Amidst Uncertainty and Upheaval
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 14. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
212 pages
978-1-041-27947-1 (ISBN)
Description
This book presents a fresh, realistic, and thought-provoking perspective on what it means to be a successful president in today's destabilized higher education landscape.
Drawing on the lived experiences of some of the most tested and respected college and university presidents of this century, this book illustrates how skilled leaders can transform domestic and international adversity into opportunity, regain lost confidence, and redeem themselves in the public eye. It explores seven critical danger zones for presidents while addressing the unique challenges faced by distinct institutional contexts. Features include practical tips for presidents and boards, compelling case studies of leaders who navigated potentially career-ending crises, and reflective questions designed to help readers connect lessons learned to their own lives and professional paths.
While an essential resource for current and aspiring academic presidents, these insights will be of significant interest to trustees, instructors, and scholars of higher education administration.
Drawing on the lived experiences of some of the most tested and respected college and university presidents of this century, this book illustrates how skilled leaders can transform domestic and international adversity into opportunity, regain lost confidence, and redeem themselves in the public eye. It explores seven critical danger zones for presidents while addressing the unique challenges faced by distinct institutional contexts. Features include practical tips for presidents and boards, compelling case studies of leaders who navigated potentially career-ending crises, and reflective questions designed to help readers connect lessons learned to their own lives and professional paths.
While an essential resource for current and aspiring academic presidents, these insights will be of significant interest to trustees, instructors, and scholars of higher education administration.
Reviews / Votes
"At a time when multiple crises can beset a leader with the speed of the internet, this book belongs on every new or aspiring president's desk. Its grounded, practical, useful advice from three highly respected former presidents will help ensure your presidency is long and satisfying."Kevin Reilly, Ph.D., President Emeritus and Regent Professor of University of Wisconsin System
"This book is a must read for everyone who aspires to or is beginning a college/university presidency. Higher education is in a period of existential challenges, and negotiating them will require complex and consequential decisions. 'Principled Pragmatism,' as advocated by the authors, will be essential for both professional and institutional survival."
David Maxwell, Ph.D., President Emeritus of Drake University
"The authors of this book are clearly speaking from their personal and professional experiences. They provide valuable insights into what it takes to be a successful university president. For those who have recently become presidents, this book should prove especially helpful as they handle the internal and external challenges every president eventually faces. The book will also be eye-opening for those aspiring to become president and for other constituencies across the university, from trustees to faculty and staff."
Freeman Hrabowski, III, Ph.D., President Emeritus of The University of Maryland, Baltimore County
"As someone who has served on multiple institutional boards, including university boards and educational advisory councils, and has closely partnered with presidents, I found Reimagining the Academic Presidency: A Leadership Guide Amidst Uncertainty and Upheaval* to be an invaluable resource. This book provides practical insights and clear, effective strategies for solidifying collaborations between boards and presidents. Thus, making it indispensable reading for both institutional leaders and trustees navigating today's complex higher education landscape. Furthermore, as a leader of AltaMed, the largest Federally Qualified Community Clinic in the U.S. and one of the largest Hispanic-serving non-profit organizations in the country, I believe the lessons learned in this book will be equally beneficial to leaders of health-focused institutions."
Zoila Dalia Escobar, Ed.D., Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer of AltaMed Health Services Corporation and President of the AltaMed Foundation
"Reimagining the Academic Presidency tells the truth about what it actually takes to lead a college or university right now, naming the political, financial, and governance landmines without sugarcoating them. It offers a clear-eyed case for principled pragmatism, showing that presidents can protect their institutions, advance student learning, and lead with integrity without sacrificing themselves in the process."
Marybeth Gasman, Ph.D., Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair and Distinguished Professor at Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University
"As an active participant and facilitator on leadership development in higher education in the USA and abroad, I commend the authors for this practical, experience and case based publication for new and emerging presidents. This book provides some initial considerations as presidents begin their leadership challenges and addresses the many pitfalls that can endanger a presidency today. An important contribution of this publication is going beyond the USA and including the perspectives of and issues relevant to international presidents. The authors of this book are veteran presidents themselves, as well as much-in-demand executive coaches. I advise both new and emerging presidents to keep this guide close at hand especially in their first years in this very challenging time."
Fernando Leon Garcia, Ph.D., President of CETYS University, Mexicali, Mexico
"I am grateful for this timely publication. It is replete with great case studies, lessons learned, and suggested strategies that help presidents navigate what we know to be volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous-or the VUCA times leaders face in higher education today. As a female president of a public HSI and an aspiring AANHPI Serving Institution, this book will be a close companion, and at times, a trusted friend throughout my presidency."
Britt Rios-Ellis, Ph.D., President of California State University Stanislaus
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Professional Practice & Development
Illustrations
1 s/w Tabelle, 1 s/w Zeichnung, 1 s/w Abbildung
1 Tables, black and white; 1 Line drawings, black and white; 1 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-041-27947-1 (9781041279471)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Terrence MacTaggart | Alvin Schexnider | Devorah Lieberman
Reimagining the Academic Presidency
A Leadership Guide Amidst Uncertainty and Upheaval
E-Book
approx. 09/2026
Routledge
€41.99
Not yet available
Terrence MacTaggart | Alvin Schexnider | Devorah Lieberman
Reimagining the Academic Presidency
A Leadership Guide Amidst Uncertainty and Upheaval
Book
approx. 09/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€191.50
Not yet published
Terrence MacTaggart | Alvin Schexnider | Devorah Lieberman
Reimagining the Academic Presidency
A Leadership Guide Amidst Uncertainty and Upheaval
E-Book
approx. 09/2026
Routledge
€41.99
Not yet available
Persons
Terrence MacTaggart is past Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Superior, the Minnesota State University System, and the University of Maine System, USA.
Alvin Schexnider is past Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, Interim President of Norfolk State University, and President of Thomas Nelson Community College, USA.
Devorah Lieberman is President Emerita of the University of La Verne, President-in-Residence of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA, Senior Advisor to the President of the American Council on Education, Chief Strategy Officer of the International Association of University Presidents, and Senior Consultant of the Phoenix Philanthropy Group.
Alvin Schexnider is past Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, Interim President of Norfolk State University, and President of Thomas Nelson Community College, USA.
Devorah Lieberman is President Emerita of the University of La Verne, President-in-Residence of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA, Senior Advisor to the President of the American Council on Education, Chief Strategy Officer of the International Association of University Presidents, and Senior Consultant of the Phoenix Philanthropy Group.
Content
1. Trust: How to Earn It, Lose It, and Restore It 2. Public Sector Presidents: The Art of the Possible 3. Independent Not-For-Profit Colleges: Perils and Potential 4. New Women Presidents: Pitfalls, Missteps, and Unanticipated Challenges 5. African American Presidents of Majority Institutions: Paradoxical Leadership 6. HBCUs and Their Presidents: Stony the Road We Trod 7. International Presidents: Pitfalls, Challenges, and Resilience 8. The Reimagined Presidency: Pragmatists Guided by Principles