The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many colleges and universities in a constant state of change. A 2020 report from Inside Higher Ed states that college enrollment declined by 2.5 percent in the fall semester, a percentage that equals approximately 400,000 students (St. Amour, 2020). The National Conference of State Legislatures reported that 1,300 colleges and universities canceled face-to-face classes or shifted to fully online in 2020 (Smalley, 2021). The Chronicle of Higher Education notes that 10 institutions either closed or were consolidated in the past year (Natow, 2021). For a sector that can be hesitant to change, higher education has been forced to adapt, be flexible, and reassess its operational model.
How Leaders Shape, Signal, and Build Cultures: A Discussion Guide for Academic Leaders and Their Teams
Among the many desired traits most prized in academic leadership, the ability to shape (or reshape) institutional culture is sometimes overlooked in favor of fiscal acumen, the ability to drive
Lisa Jasinski
May 4, 2026
