New book explores the evolution of college leadership

A new book edited by two faculty members from the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Alberta explores the changing dynamics, expectations and roles of college leaders.

The Changing Role of College and University Leadership, edited by professors of higher education Michael T. Miller and G. David Gearhart, includes 21 chapters that explore the complexities of college administration.

“What we’ve really tried to do is provide a broad overview of how college administration and leadership is evolving,” said Gearhart, who also heads the National Laboratory for the President’s Study. middle School. “With increasing public accountability, technological changes, and evolving business models for colleges and universities, this book was long overdue.”

The book includes chapters on topics such as the role of presidential leadership in promoting diversity, fundraising, growing STEM enrollment, building institutional brands, and effective leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think two of the chapters that really stood out to me are the chapters by Stephen Nelson of Brown University on the history of the president of the university and Randall Brumfield of the chapter of the Louisiana Board of Regents on the relations between the president. and the board of directors, ”Miller said. “These are pretty common topics, but the chapters provide a depth on these issues that has never been seen before.”

With national representation of authors, several U of A alumni are included in the list of authors. “We were able to reconnect with some of our outstanding alumni to contribute to this book,” Miller said. “Among others, we have Ashley Aylett, a graduate of the Adult and Lifelong Learning doctoral program and now working with community colleges in Arkansas; David Tolliver, who has a doctorate in public policy and is now in the southwestern state of Minnesota; and Adam Morris, who is vice president of academic affairs at Crowder College. They all have unique professional backgrounds and have been able to make important contributions to this book. “

The book, released in May 2021, was published by IGI Global Press and is part of the Advances in Higher Education series of books.