Department heads and academic unit leaders in higher education occupy some of the most challenging administrative positions, balancing the often competing needs of faculty, students, and senior leadership. While all these stakeholders would agree that student learning is the core mission of higher education, the diverse needs of the different groups may seem to pit them against each other. For faculty, an overwhelming focus on student success initiatives may seem to come at the expense of their own well-being, leading to burnout and disengagement.
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
