One word that I heard repeatedly from the 50+ higher ed leaders I interviewed last summer[*] was “impossible.” According to these interviewees, leadership jobs today are impossible, working with faculty who oppose them no matter what they say or do can feel impossible, and imagining succession plans for their roles seems impossible (assuming they even have time to think about it).
Beyond Recognition: Faculty Awards as Catalysts for Professional Growth and Institutional Success
Faculty awards are more than acknowledgments of past success; they are strategic tools for advancing both individual careers and institutional priorities and can catalyze professional development and institutional advancement. Building
Linda M. Boland and Vicki L. Baker
September 15, 2025
