This study explores the potential link between institutes of higher educations' (IHEs') presidential skill sets and institutional health. The study uses Leadership Theory as a general theoretical framework and Skills Theory of Leadership in particular as a focal lens. A review of the literature indicates a significant gap in research on IHE presidential skill sets. The question of whether IHE presidents possess the requisite skills to successfully lead their institutions through the accelerating underlying trends in higher education is warranted. This study conducts its research using the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data from selected small, private colleges and universities (SPCs). This paper argues that a subset of SPCs -- small, non-urban, tuition-dependent, with limited endowments and enrollments -- are particularly vulnerable to the challenges facing the higher education industry and findings in this group may indicate potential findings for higher education as a whole. This study seeks to find a link between the skill set of these SPCs' presidents and the health of their institutions. The study results suggest that, among SPCs with non-traditional skill set presidents, there may be broader and more consistent improvement in institutional health over the observed time period. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]