Reframing Leadership: Faculty Perspectives on Non-Academic Presidents at R1 Universities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Faculty Issues amid Political Change in Academia

Abstract

Amid political pressures and leadership turnover, universities are increasingly appointing non-academic presidents, often seen as outsiders lacking academic legitimacy. Interviews with faculty leaders revealed that opaque hiring processes and unfamiliarity with academic culture deepened trust deficits. However, non-academic presidents could earn support by advocating for the university, respecting faculty governance, and producing tangible results with humility and competence. The findings highlight a complex mix of contextual, managerial, cultural, and personal factors shaping divergent faculty views—ranging from resistance to respect—depending on whether the leader fostered openness, trust, and alignment with academic values over time.

Authors

• Amita Verma, University of South Carolina

• Susan C. Bon, Pittsburg State University