Most academic leaders inherit student academic surveys as a process rather than a strategy. Surveys arrive at predictable times, generate familiar reports, and are often filed away after a quick review. Yet, when taken seriously, they are one of the few mechanisms that allow institutions to listen to students at scale. They offer not only feedback on individual courses but also a continuous stream of insight into how students experience teaching, curriculum, and institutional practices across an entire campus.
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
