Viviana Unda’s Post

Weekend Read "Leadership is crucial for any institution, but it’s especially critical for under-resourced and lesser-known ones without much financial cushion. For many of those institutions, leadership sets the long-term prospects: A great leader’s commitment and ability can help people organize around a mission and strengths, transforming a college into a regional destination for students. Poor leaders, meanwhile, spend resources on ill-considered plans and elevate mediocre administrators, setting up an institution for years of financial and managerial difficulties." #highered #highereducation #leadership https://lnkd.in/eqMjQu69

🔥🚀 Change isn’t always easy, but it’s essential! "Challenges, whether they’re to the business model or to traditional modes of delivering learning, mean college leaders will need to be courageous in making changes to internal operations." https://lnkd.in/gn9njFJz #HigherEducation #Innovation #Leadership #EdTech #OnlineLearning #HigherEdLeadership #HigherEdNews

In a recent article in The Edge, Scott Carlson shares some thoughtful insights about the attributes necessary for higher education leadership now and in the future. In addition to building trust, inspiring followership, and understanding shared governance, he highlights the importance of humility, empathy, and the courage to seek advice and lead a change agenda on campus as well as building external partnerships. Understanding how the money works is also essential. I resonated with his description of campus leaders as "selfless connectors" both on- and off-campus. Certainly worth the read for aspiring leaders. #highereducation #higheredleadership #sharedgovernance #leadershipsubstance

"What makes you ready to be a college president?" This compelling question is at the heart of The Chronicle of Higher Education's recent coverage of our study, Competencies for the College Presidency. The article dives into the nuanced findings that emerged from our research, including the growing need for interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience in today's higher education leaders. The study serves not only as a reflection of the current higher education landscape but also as a roadmap for leadership development, informing how boards and institutions can better support and prepare future presidents. Read more about the findings in The Chronicle's article: https://lnkd.in/gJausRnT #HigherEducation #TheChronicle #HigherEdLeadership #LeadershipStudies

The evolving landscape of higher education requires stealth and strategic leadership. Scott Carlson of the The Chronicle of Higher Education shares "What Higher Ed Needs from Its Leaders Right Now" in this weekly column.

GOT INTENSITY? As the challenges to institutions of #highereducation intensify, so does the competition for strong leaders. Many of Casagrande Institute for Higher Education Effectiveness clients are seeking experienced presidents putting the pressure on board to ensure that they have effective compensation that allows them to recruit, reward and RETAIN mission-focused high performing leaders. Ask Frank A. Casagrande about how this might be possible at your institution.

Self-awareness is crucial for today’s higher education leaders. In our latest study, we identified seven key competencies that are essential for college presidents. To lead effectively, current and aspiring presidents must be self-aware—understanding their strengths in each area is vital. These findings can also offer a roadmap to help leaders develop and leverage these skills, shaping more impactful and resilient leadership. Thanks to Lois Elfman for the feature in Diverse: Issues In Higher Education: https://lnkd.in/gy6kHRc7 #HigherEdLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #Leadership

My second Forbes column focuses on important research regarding the modern university presidency.

I am always a little suspicious of recruiting characteristics such as, “Leadership qualities: Behave in a way that is trustworthy, consistent and accountable” What do these terms mean? Accountability to stakeholders - many with competing interests? How do you measure trustworthy? I’ve spent a great deal of time in leadership in the military, business, and in higher education - one person’s trustworthy candidate is another person’s villain. Consistent may be wrong if a wrong strategy leads to failure. Whose observations? I’ve seen successful presidents - that some would argue do not fit these leadership qualities (in fact many might suggest). I’ve seen presidents fail that meet all of these qualities - broadly agreed by most.

Exciting developments in higher education leadership! The new Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose is reshaping how we recognize institutions promoting leadership beyond the classroom—think justice, equity, and diversity in action. At Claremont McKenna College and 24 others, this classification is a commitment to shaping leaders who drive societal change. It's inspiring to see academia focus on shaping leaders who can navigate complex global challenges. #HigherEducation #LeadershipDevelopment #CarnegieClassification #LEADingForLife