Searching for Higher Education Leadership: Advice for Candidates and Search Committees

by Jean A. Dowdall

Overview

Dowdall's book offers sample documents for candidates as well as for the search committees, and includes a substantive bibliography. From her vantage point outside the institution, Dowdall is able to provide a unique point of view and insightful comments on the complex and often daunting process of the academic executive search. Key selling points include: The eagerness for career advice that exists, both from candidates (Part I of the book) and search committees (Part II of the book); a visible author, who writes a monthly column in the Chronicle of Higher Education and lectures often at leadership seminars; and information on this subject which covers all institutional types, including liberal arts colleges, comprehensive institutions, research universities, and community colleges.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607095675
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/16/2009
Series:	The ACE Series on Higher Education
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Jean A. Dowdall, vice president at Witt/Kieffer, Oak Brook, IL, is a consultant to colleges and universities in their searches for presidents and other senior officers. She has written numerous columns for the Chronicle of Higher Education, offering search advice for candidates and search committees.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface
Part 2 PART I: ADVICE FOR CANDIDATES
Chapter 3 Before You Start Looking
Chapter 4 Preparing Your Application
Chapter 5 Preliminary Interviews
Chapter 6 Second-Round Interviews
Chapter 7 Building Relationships with Committees and Consultants
Chapter 8 Considering an Offer
Chapter 9 If You Are Not Selected
Chapter 10 Transition to the New Appointment
Part 11 PART II: ADVICE FOR SEARCH COMMITTEES
Chapter 12 Understanding the Leadership Opportunity
Chapter 13 Assembling Strong Search Committees
Chapter 14 What Search Consultants Do
Chapter 15 Preparing for the Search
Chapter 16 Recruiting Candidates
Chapter 17 Evaluating Candidates and Selecting Finalists
Chapter 18 Transition to New Leadership

What People are Saying About This

Donna Burns Phillips

Jean Dowdall-provide[s]?a spectrum of sound advice, clear alternatives, and significant information. Divided into two sections, the book opens with material for candidates, taking them through the process from the initial decision about applying to fill an opening all the way through to the successful candidate's transition. Along the way, she is careful to note where there may be special concerns for internal candidates, for non-traditional candidates, and for unsuccessful candidates. That breadth makesit one that should stay on a handy bookshelf-even after the first reading. The second section, aimed at search committees, covers an equally complete spectrum, from developing a position description through the transition for the successful candidate. This section of the narrative offers not only straight process/procedure design and advice, but also occasional advice on how these elements might affect a candidate's perception of the institution. Candidates and search committees should read both sections;their ability to see themselves from across the table should improve the entire process for all involved. Absolute must read for every academic who may ever be either a candidate or a search committee member.

Shelly Weiss Storbeck

Jean Dowdall has written the essential guide-which updates and exceeds every other book-for both candidates and search committees engaged in presidential searches. It not only has the depth of Riesman and McLaughlin's original research in 1990, but provides advice on contemporary challenges: how to set up e-reading rooms for file review or how to engage spouses/partners in a search. Her book answers every question about best practices, and even more importantly, provides guidance to all segments of highereducation. For committees and candidates eager to do their homework before a search, this is the comprehensive book to consult...

Richard Helldobler and Michelle Behr

If you have either been interviewed for an academic leadership position or have served on a search committee, you probably know that-dealing with the human element can never be totally predictable, and therefore, is somewhat enigmatic. Jean Dowdall's newbook, Searching for Higher Education Leadership: Advice for Candidates and Search Committees, begins to demystify the process. The value in this book is that she clearly and concisely describes the process from both vantage points. It is this dual perspective that sets this book apart, making it a great resource and helping transform the search process from inexplicable to comprehensible-from both sides. The author's advice on targeting cover letters to specific institutions and offering 360-degree reference lists were particularly insightful. In addition, her discussion of when and how to enter a search as an internal candidate is valuable, as this can be a particularly delicate position both personally and politically. If there is one chapter that should be read by everyone in academia, it is Chapter 5, Building Relationships with Consultants and Committees. This chapter focuses on expectations for the candidate, consultant loyalty, feedback, and evaluation of candidacy flaws to help both candidate a

Robert H. Atwell

There are many first-rate professionals in the highly competitive business of academic searches but few, if any, have as much first-hand experience as faculty members and administrators as Jean Dowdall. All that experience and a tireless work ethic and attention to detail has brought her to the top ranks of her profession. And to top it off, she brings instinctively good judgment to the delicate task of matching candidates with institutions. This book typifies her exhaustive approach to searches and it isnow the indispensable seminal work for search practitioners and scholars...

Editorial Reviews

Jean Dowdall…provide[s]…a spectrum of sound advice, clear alternatives, and significant information. Divided into two sections, the book opens with material for candidates, taking them through the process from the initial decision about applying to fill an opening all the way through to the successful candidate's transition. Along the way, she is careful to note where there may be special concerns for internal candidates, for non-traditional candidates, and for unsuccessful candidates. That breadth makes it one that should stay on a handy bookshelf-even after the first reading. The second section, aimed at search committees, covers an equally complete spectrum, from developing a position description through the transition for the successful candidate. This section of the narrative offers not only straight process/procedure design and advice, but also occasional advice on how these elements might affect a candidate's perception of the institution. Candidates and search committees should read both sections; their ability to see themselves from across the table should improve the entire process for all involved. Absolute must read for every academic who may ever be either a candidate or a search committee member.

Donna Burns Phillips

For a number of years now, I have been complaining about the lack of useful guidance about the search process for presidential aspirants.... Finally, however, much of the mystery is being removed from the search process, both for candidates and for search committees, with the publication of Searching for Higher Education Leadership. This detailed analysis by Jean Dowdall offers insights and wisdom gained from a long and distinguished career in the world of academic searches. [As a result of her publication,] more knowledgeable candidates and better prepared search committees should increase the number of talented and capable leaders selected for America's colleges and universities.

George L. Mehaffy

There are many first-rate professionals in the highly competitive business of academic searches but few, if any, have as much first-hand experience as faculty members and administrators as Jean Dowdall. All that experience and a tireless work ethic and attention to detail has brought her to the top ranks of her profession. And to top it off, she brings instinctively good judgment to the delicate task of matching candidates with institutions. This book typifies her exhaustive approach to searches and it is now the indispensable seminal work for search practitioners and scholars.

Robert H. Atwell

Jean Dowdall has written the essential guide—which updates and exceeds every other book—for both candidates and search committees engaged in presidential searches. It not only has the depth of Riesman and McLaughlin's original research in 1990, but provides advice on contemporary challenges: how to set up e-reading rooms for file review or how to engage spouses/partners in a search. Her book answers every question about best practices, and even more importantly, provides guidance to all segments of higher education. For committees and candidates eager to do their homework before a search, this is the comprehensive book to consult.

Shelly Weiss Storbeck

If you have either been interviewed for an academic leadership position or have served on a search committee, you probably know that-dealing with the human element can never be totally predictable, and therefore, is somewhat enigmatic. Jean Dowdall's newbook, Searching for Higher Education Leadership: Advice for Candidates and Search Committees, begins to demystify the process. The value in this book is that she clearly and concisely describes the process from both vantage points. It is this dual perspective that sets this book apart, making it a great resource and helping transform the search process from inexplicable to comprehensible-from both sides. The author's advice on targeting cover letters to specific institutions and offering 360-degree reference lists were particularly insightful. In addition, her discussion of when and how to enter a search as an internal candidate is valuable, as this can be a particularly delicate position both personally and politically. If there is one chapter that should be read by everyone in academia, it is Chapter 5, Building Relationships with Consultants and Committees. This chapter focuses on expectations for the candidate, consultant loyalty, feedback, and evaluation of candidacy flaws to help both candidate a

Richard Helldobler and Michelle Behr