Working in academia has long been a dream role for many scholars, practitioners, and working professionals (Larsson & Alvinius, 2019). We asked a group of leaders from institutions of higher education what compelled them to work in a college or university setting. Their responses included seeking to recreate the transformational experience they had as students, to emulate the professors they learned from in the classroom, and “to make a difference.” After all, the typical college setting has historically had an aura of prestige: it’s been a place with community recognition where academic freedom is protected, new ideas emerge, and the next generation of critically thinking students are molded into thoughtful participants within society.
Ted Lasso’s Playbook for Higher Education Hiring Practices
The Emmy-winning Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso (2020–) has not only taught us that football is life; it reminds us that leadership can make a significant difference in sport and
Katie Fischer and Deborah Erickson
July 7, 2025
