New Book Explores Changing College Leadership

Photos by University Relations

Michael T. Miller and G. David Gearhart

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

The Changing Role of College and University Leadership, edited by Higher Education professors Michael T. Miller and G. David Gearhart, includes 21 chapters that delve into the complexities of college administration.

"What we really tried to do was provide a broad overview of how college administration and leadership are changing," said Gearhart, who also directs the National Lab for the Study of the College President. "With growing 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 presidential leadership's role in promoting diversity, fundraising, STEM enrollment growth, creating institutional brands and effective leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think two of the chapters that really stand out to me are the chapters by Stephen Nelson at Brown University on the history of the college president and Randall Brumfield of the Louisiana Board of Regents chapter on president and board relations," Miller said. "These are pretty common topics, but the chapters provide a depth into these issues that hasn't been seen before."

With a national representation of authors, several U of A alumni are included in the list of authors. "We were able to re-connect with some of our outstanding alumni to help contribute to this book," Miller said. "Among others, we have Ashley Aylett, who graduated from the Adult and Lifelong Learning doctoral program and now works with Arkansas Community Colleges; David Tolliver, who is a Public Policy doctoral graduate and is now at Southwest Minnesota State; and Adam Morris, who is the vice president for academic affairs at Crowder College. They all have unique professional experiences and were able to contribute in important ways to this book."

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