Reimagining the Academic Presidency

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