July 18, 2024
Why You Should Still Want to Be a College President - Commentary
Melody Rose, a principal with WittKieffer, an executive search and advising firm. She is the former president of Marylhurst University (OR) and a two-time chancellor, writes: It’s been painful to watch so many college presidents stumble in recent years. As a former university president and system chancellor, I could relate as they struggled to manage uncertain terrain while facing public scrutiny and open critique at every step.
I don’t mean to imply that none of the criticism has been deserved. Like any place where human beings are involved, there have been some serious individual missteps and sector-level shifts that require change. But I hate to see the damage that’s been done to the office of the presidency and to the psyches of today’s presidents — the vast majority of whom are capable, caring leaders doing their level best under strained circumstances.
I don’t mean to imply that none of the criticism has been deserved. Like any place where human beings are involved, there have been some serious individual missteps and sector-level shifts that require change. But I hate to see the damage that’s been done to the office of the presidency and to the psyches of today’s presidents — the vast majority of whom are capable, caring leaders doing their level best under strained circumstances.