Leading Lincoln

For the next few weeks we will all have the opportunity to meet, listen to, and hopefully ask questions of five presidential candidates. Are you using this as a teachable moment and encouraging your students to participate and be part of making Lincoln history? Most of the candidates have backgrounds in higher education, but there is one exception: the only male candidate comes from a more political background and currently serves as the president of a Philadelphia boarding school. More information about the candidates is available here: http://www.lincoln.edu/presidential-search/updates

Each one of these individuals have the potential to hold the future of Lincoln in his or her hands. If you were in their position, what would you present as your vision for Lincoln University? Should we try to become the “first” HBCU again, not just in chronology of founding but in rankings? Or maybe you would like to emphasize a strong and distinctive general education program that supports all majors and defines what it means to be a Lincoln graduate? Would you try to bring in more certificate and continuing education programs, work more closely with the local and Philadelphia community, bring in more resources through grants from foundations and state and federal agencies? Maybe you would emphasize a global presence or make sure that the University honors all types of diversity? Or maybe you would be of the mindset that growing the endowment should be a priority? Would you adopt the current strategic plan or immediately start working towards a brand new and different plan? Would environmental, fiscal and social sustainability play a prominent role in your vision for the University?

What about institutional organization – will next year’s Fact Book display re-drawn organizational charts? Would you keep the current VPs and directors or bring in new ones that you prefer to work with? What would you do about bridges and walls? Would you prefer to keep people and programs in their silos or would you try to build a more collaborative and interdisciplinary campus?

And how would you divide your attention among all the different responsibilities that require your devotion? Would you spend most of your time on campus or traveling to promote Lincoln and raise funds? How often would you go to University City and Coatesville? Would you attend basketball and football games? Dine with student and faculty? Would you go for a jog around the campus grounds every morning, trying to get to know the grounds crew, athletes and coaches and anybody who arrives to work early? Or maybe you would spend your time remodeling the President’s House and purchasing new furniture? Would you be a leader that communicates openly and honors transparency?

As I think about it, stepping into the role as President at any University is plagued with as many difficult decisions as it is peppered with opportunities to make a tremendous difference.

When it comes to teaching and learning at Lincoln, the president can be in the forefront giving ideas for curricular reform, promoting service learning by fostering relationships with the local community, offering opportunities for training of faculty to use more experiential learning, and being actively involved in educational policy and curricular decisions. Alternatively, the president can take the back seat and let Academic Affairs and faculty lead the way. There are benefits to both models. Stronger leadership may mean increased cohesion among programs and faculty, but it may also feel like a threat to academic freedom. If you had a magic wand, what type of academic leadership would you wish for the fall of 2017 and beyond? What questions will you ask of the candidates to ensure illuminating answers? Are you encouraging your students to attend the open sessions?