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?
