Leaders in the Crossroads: Success and Failure in the College Presidency

by Stephen James Nelson

Overview

Leaders in the Crossroads considers two intriguing issues: an exploration of the characteristics that determine success and failure in the academy's top post and the impact of that post on a college. An evaluation of the responsibilities and challenges presidents face, and how they speak and lead, is a fair way to explore realities about college presidents and their successes and failures. How do presidential leadership, rhetoric, and action connect to the fundamental beliefs and values at the foundation of the university? Are presidents able to make a difference, and if so, how do they contribute to the legacy of the university?

College presidents are noteworthy leaders in and outside the gates. Deliberations about the success and failure of the presidency, and its obligation to the foundations of the academy generate more questions than answers. However, this inquiry is crucial because it sheds light on the college presidency and on its relationship to the future of the university.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607092476
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/16/2009
Series:	The ACE Series on Higher Education
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Stephen J. Nelson is assistant professor of educational leadership at Bridgewater State College and senior scholar in the Leadership Alliance at Brown University. Professor Nelson is the author of previous works about the college presidency, Leaders in the Labyrinth: College Presidents and the Battleground of Creeds and Convictions (2007) and Leaders in the Crucible: The Moral Voice of College Presidents (2000).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1.The Presidential Portfolio: The Realm and Reality of the Presidency
Chapter 2. Legacies and Imprints: The Footprint of Presidents
Chapter 3."Crackpots and Geniuses": Embrace of the Marketplace of Ideas
Chapter 4 The Bully Pulpit: Use It or Lose It
Chapter 5 Presidents in Crisis: A Crucible of Leadership

Editorial Reviews

Stephen Nelson extends his ongoing study of the college and university presidency with this new exploration of the vexing question of what constitutes success. He marshals presidential writings, telling anecdotes, and case studies of exemplary presidents (as well as a few who stumbled or lost their way) to paint a portrait of the effective president. The best, he concludes, are educators first. They protect and advance their institutions' academic values, defend free speech, and are discerning as to when and how to weigh in as public intellectuals on matters of consequence. On their campuses, they function as "balance wheels," maintaining a "center that holds" at all times and especially in times of crisis. Arguing that all who care about the academy need to appreciate the profound and enduring effect presidential leadership can have, on individual institutions and higher education as a whole, Nelson provides much food for thought.

Diana Chapman Walsh

Stephen Nelson builds on his earlier work examining the college and university presidency by going further examining what the characteristics, values and outcomes are which constitute the perception of success or failure in this crucial campus leadership role. When presidents lead well, Nelson, argues, institutions usually prosper; when they do not, there is often trouble. Nelson's book should be required reading for every current and would-be president, whether her or his campus is large or small, public or private, well-endowed or not. This is a remarkably detailed and instructive book, insightful and compelling from beginning to end, and written with unusual grace and skill.

David A. Fedo

Stephen J. Nelson has done it again. In this latest study of higher education leadership, Nelson focuses on the challenges of the presidency and the many forces, and constituencies that affect a president's and, inevitably, also the institution's, success. Through specific examples and carefully calibrated insights, Nelson has written what might well be considered a manual for presidential leadership. Governing Boards, as well as current or would-be presidents, will read this volume with both pleasure and profit.

John M. McCardell

Using several significant case histories as illustrative, Steve Nelson graphically demonstrates how higher education leaders can effectively manage crisis situations or, perhaps somewhat inadvertently, how they can further exacerbate an already contentious circumstance by poor or convoluted decision making. Presidents, both old and new, can benefit enormously by carefully reviewing each of the cases Nelson describes as a source of guidance when inevitable, if somewhat different but analogous, situations arise on their own campuses. A must read for those with the responsibility of leading our higher education institutions during these somewhat challenging times.

John DiBiaggio