The time between a president's resignation and the next president's assumption of office--often a 12-to-18 month period--can be crucial for an institution. Between the winding down of an existing presidency and the successful launch of the next, there are all too many opportunities for lost momentum, frayed relationships, key departures, and…

A topic of continuing interest in American higher education and society is the future of historically black colleges and universities, commonly referred to as HBCUs. The nation's public and private black institutions of higher education have proved their mettle, and yet they face persistent challenges to survive. A huge part of the challenge black…

Few board decisions are more important than selecting a new president or chancellor. Done correctly, the appointment of a new CEO impacts positively on the institution's health and future success. Before launching a presidential search, the board and search committee should analyze the institution's mission and goals, and thoroughly review the…

Discusses four issues for higher education institutions to consider if they employ consultants for presidential searches: (1) search consultants dominate the process; (2) they do not really expand the pool of applicants; (3) organizing the search process can be handled well by institutions themselves; and (4) consultants are inevitably placed in…

Increasingly, colleges and universities are using consultants to help search committees find the right president for the institution. Search consultants bring experience, historical and national perspectives, objectivity, personal knowledge of candidates, and a professional approach. Energy, enthusiasm, and style are important consultant…

The search process for a new president at Salisbury State University (Maryland) yielded lessons for other institutions operating under open meeting (sunshine) laws. Factors found important in the process include search committee cohesiveness, committee leadership viewed by constituencies as open and objective, a single voice speaking for the…

A college presidential search will find the best candidate if the search committee exceeds routine reference checks, conducts effective interviews, and includes visits to finalists' home campuses. The visit can cast light on such unknown factors as fund-raising potential and leadership skills. There are also disadvantages to be considered,…

A college governing board chairman discusses the procedures and surprises in the search for a new president, including preparing for the search, establishing a committee, hiring a consultant, selecting finalists, candidate visits to campus, making the final selection, and informing all candidates of the outcome. (MSE)

In its search for a new president, the University of Michigan was forced, under open meeting laws, to invent a semi-public search, with governing board members unable to talk privately with search advisory committee members. However, the four outstanding candidates were brought into the process before it became public; next time, the search might…

Notes the current system of finding new academic leaders for colleges and universities often brings delay and damage. Suggests an alternative method of leadership succession is needed. One proposed method would attempt to promote from within the institution; require recruitment by the appointing officer; involve faculty, students, and staff; and…