Exemplifying the trend that dean positions open every four to six years, in the past 26 years, I have held dean and director positions at five institutions—an average a new position every 5.2 years (Henk, Wepner, and Ali 2022). During that time, I have been a finalist and successful candidate at least 15 times. Part one of this article reviewed lessons and experiences from 1998 through 2013. The following lessons occurred starting in 2017 through 2021. These experiences have informed other practices to consider in how to treat a candidate.
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
