How hiring college presidents has changed, and how to make it better

Today's colleges frequently use search firms to hire leaders. This three-part series asks what that means and what can be safely outsourced.

Nov. 23, 2021

How to improve hiring of college presidents

Don't outsource control of a search, two higher ed leadership researchers say. Finding a president is too important and expensive of an undertaking.

By Judith Wilde and James Finkelstein • Nov. 17, 2021

The people hiring college presidents don't have experience as college presidents

A review of nearly two dozen people leading college executive searches found few had experience in the big chair on campus.

By Judith Wilde and James Finkelstein • Nov. 16, 2021

A fundamental change in hiring college presidents is unfolding

Presidents are growing more diverse and staying for shorter stints, 40 years of hiring show. But using search firms in hiring may be the real change.

By Judith Wilde and James Finkelstein • Nov. 15, 2021

Alabama governor's chief of staff to take the reins at U of South Alabama

The appointment fits a recent trend of policymakers moving into college leadership positions amid questions about their academic qualifications.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Nov. 11, 2021

Georgia system chancellor defends tenure changes to AAUP

The University System of Georgia's acting leader said "due process is and will remain a core tenet" of policies governing post-tenure review processes.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Updated Nov. 3, 2021

Pennsylvania system presses for more state funding amid merger progress

PASSHE is seeking a 15% boost in appropriations to $550 million, a cash infusion leaders say will help make it more affordable.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Oct. 15, 2021

Faculty participation in presidential searches has fallen, AAUP finds

The faculty group also reports that about half of colleges don't disclose finalists for the chief executive.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Oct. 13, 2021

What does a college changemaker do, now that he's gotten what he wanted?

Dan Greenstein spent nearly three years building toward a merger vote in the Pennsylvania system. Can his administration move from planning to doing?

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Oct. 8, 2021

Can colleges compete with companies like Coursera?

Arthur Levine discusses how trends like personalized education are unfolding, what's driving them, and what can go right or wrong for colleges.

By Rick Seltzer • Sept. 28, 2021

Hurricane Ida continues to scramble campus plans and force schools online

New Orleans colleges bused students to evacuation points, and campuses in the Northeast closed amid damage, flooding and power outages.

By Rick Seltzer • Sept. 2, 2021

Empty campus communications can't replace real diversity, equity and inclusion work

Two higher ed communication consultants say actions speak louder than words when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion.

By Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy • Aug. 31, 2021

Bowdoin raises minimum wage to $17 per hour to attract workers

The college had been planning to raise wages next year. But it hopes making the change earlier will help combat labor shortages on campus.

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 26, 2021

Should breakthrough infections change colleges' fall plans?

Duke University, which is requiring the vaccine, reported dozens of such cases last week but experts say some should be expected.

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 17, 2021

University of Texas at San Antonio to start fall with virtual classes amid delta surge

The university cited models showing the current spike of coronavirus infections fading in September.

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 12, 2021

How colleges are responding to the CDC's new mask guidelines

While some schools are adding mask mandates, others are ignoring the guidance or have their hands tied by state policies.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 29, 2021

How Ithaca College's president stressed diversity and inclusion 'from the core'

Shirley Collado looks back on her time leading the liberal arts college as she prepares to take over at completion program College Track.

By Rick Seltzer • July 15, 2021

2 Boston colleges mandate weekly coronavirus testing — even for vaccinated students

Northeastern and Boston universities are keeping stringent safety measures in place for the fall term as other colleges relax their policies.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 15, 2021

President Speaks: Colleges must do more to close the gender gap in financial fluency

The head of Barnard College at Columbia University explains how her institution is improving women's financial literacy on campus. 

By Sian Beilock • July 12, 2021

Mills College alumnae sue to halt possible merger

The two plaintiffs — one of whom currently sits on the college's governing board — allege the institution has withheld key financial information.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Updated July 7, 2021

Georgia's college system still hasn't named a permanent chancellor. What's next?

The current head of the University System of Georgia retires Thursday. Politics has mired the hunt for his replacement.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 30, 2021

Living the student life: A glimpse into the job of a university chief experience officer

Quinnipiac's Tom Ellett has spent three decades in dorms — and he's not done yet. 

By Hallie Busta • June 25, 2021

Mills College explores merging into Northeastern University to avert closure

The partnership would allow the school to continue awarding degrees, but some say the board hasn't been transparent about its decisions.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 18, 2021

Feedback on PASSHE mergers highlights extent of opposition

Public responses to the Pennsylvania system’s proposal to turn six institutions into two has been largely negative.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 10, 2021

Did COVID-19 spur bigger changes to how colleges run sports?

The allure of Division I and heavy questions around Title IX compliance are weighing on schools' decisions, experts say.

By Hallie Busta • June 7, 2021