WittKieffer’s Post

This is an excellent guide to the importance of defining and executing a deliberate transition strategy for higher education leaders--from beginning with a clear role definition to providing support to the new leader as they transition.

Want to be a president? Work on these competencies: Trust building Demonstrating resilience Communication savvy Crafting a cabinet and team building Emotional intelligence Leading with courage Data acumen and resource management

Research conducted by the executive search firm Academic Search identified seven core competencies that are essential for a modern #collegepresident: 🫱🏻🫲🏾#Trust building 💪🏾Demonstrating resilience 🗣#Communication savvy 👥️Crafting a cabinet and team building 🧠#Emotionalintelligence 🦸🏾♀️Leading with courage While these competencies are not ranked, it's not surprising to see 'trust' at the top of respondents' minds: ‼️96 percent of respondents emphasized that presidents need to behave “in a way that is trustworthy, consistent and accountable.” As a #Blackfemale in #highereducation, I recognize how vital these qualities are, especially for addressing the needs of structurally excluded populations. It's not just about possessing these competencies on paper; it's about embodying them to foster real change. With Madison Area Technical College in the midst of finding our next president, our board has the responsibility to select a leader who genuinely embodies these core values. This is our opportunity to bring in a new leader who will truly support improving institutional systems and structures that disadvantage our minoritized students and employees. Thank you to Inside Higher Ed for sharing these insights with the higher education community. #InstitutionalChange #IDEAS #DEI #Leadership

Outstanding article from ACE! I like the succinct truth about Higher Education. “The challenge for leaders is to continually refocus on the essential goals of higher education: seeking the truth, solving the problems of humankind, and preparing the next generation of leaders.”

In Scott Carlson's The Chronicle of Higher Education newsletter, Chuck Ambrose, senior education consultant at Husch Blackwell and author of the book, "Colleges on the Brink: The Case for Financial Exigency" highlighted a key consideration for college leadership: “You’ve got to be willing to say things and take stands. This question about neutrality cannot be applied to the value of college and its impact on social, educational, and certainly economic mobility for the students we serve.” Explore more insights on the evolving demands of college leadership: https://lnkd.in/gn9njFJz #HigherEd #Leadership #StudentSuccess

The higher education sector has navigated through financial strains and demographic shifts for over a decade. As the past year's developments unfold, these challenges intensify, demanding the focused attention of college presidents, senior leadership teams, and governing bodies as they strive to chart a sustainable path forward. I recently came across a captivating read by Deloitte which highlights the outlook of higher education in 2024: #HigherEducation #FutureOfEducation #Leadership

"Effective college leaders understand the importance of deep listening and humility as they seek to understand their students, colleagues and internal and external communities. Our willingness to learn from others, including our students, can send an important message throughout our institutions and to the broader public. This kind of learning is hard. It’s challenging for all of us to open our minds to different points of view, yet all of us bring different perspectives and sensibilities to various situations and events depending on our experiences. That’s why we need courageous leaders who empower others to speak their truths. We all must look in the mirror to truly see ourselves, and to encourage robust conversations." A great article!

Public trust in higher education is in a rapid decline. We explored the gap between trust and value to understand what audiences discuss about a college degree using social intelligence. Get our leadership strategies for building trust and learn how we support higher ed leaders undergoing transformation through audience, market, and brand insights rooted in social intelligence. https://hubs.li/Q02z_h9H0

Do you aspire to the highest levels of #academia? I urge clients to identify growth areas, then use that list as the foundation for a professional development plan. Creating your own opportunities to grow and learn is a skill set and habit to build, no matter what your stage of career. The core competencies in this piece could serve as a wonderful #professionaldevelopment syllabus for current and future leaders -- including, but very much not limited to, aspiring college presidents. https://buff.ly/3XMLaRL #leadership #highereducation

https://lnkd.in/gs7iWy28 13 leaders on the challenges of the role, and the opportunities worth pursuing