Identifying and Preparing Academic Leaders. (2004). Sherry L. Hoppe and Bruce W. Speck, (Eds.). New Directions for Higher Education, No. 124. Jossey-Bass. 120 pp., $27.00 (paperback). ISBN 0-7879-7235-5.

Review by: Stephen G. Pajewski

Associate Director, Information Systems Program

Carnegie Mellon University

Researchers claim that the demand for leadership greatly exceeds the supply. The editors of this book underscore the point by observing that institutions of higher education do little to prepare leaders for the academy. In fact, appointed leaders are given little, if any, training in how to be effective leaders. This volume is a good source for those seeking academic leadership roles and for those searching for future leaders to serve as department heads, deans, academic vice presidents, provosts, and presidents.

Organized into 10 short chapters written by experienced administrators, the book covers a broad range of topics such as identifying and the nurturing of potential leaders, traits of strong leadership, the rewards of leadership, issues in governance and legal matters, and the promotion of diversity in leadership. Several authors provide personal anecdotes regarding their decisions to step into leadership roles and on their experiences. These reflections are insightful and valuable in their real-life depictions of day-to-day challenges. Readers, however, may find these depictions too short and too scarce; more of these reflections would have further enriched the chapters.

The book is intended for faculty members considering a change in career paths and crossing the great divide from the role of academician to that of administrator. Much of the text, however, applies to full-time advisors who seek advancement to higher administrative levels. Advisors have much to gain from knowing the leadership components that are highly valued, such as self-understanding and the ability to lead to establish and maintain relationships and to lead teams.

In her chapter, Identifying and Nurturing Potential Academic Leaders, Sherry Hoppe acknowledges that leaders face the stress of high demands and negativity in an environment of scrutiny and criticism. Are all of the demands worth the sacrifice of those who choose to serve by leading? How can individuals with ability and integrity be motivated to seek such positions? Hoppe believes that such motivation comes from the opportunity for leaders to demonstrate consistent values, share their visions of the institution, and commit to making a difference in the lives of others.

Such motivations are not unfamiliar to academic advisors, especially to those who want to lead the academic advising agenda on their campuses. In a recent Academic Advising News article, Susan Campbell wrote that advising is gaining broader recognition for its role in student success and retention. Campbell sees this increased recognition as an opportunity for advisors to lead their organizations into cultivating a community committed to advising.

The contributors of Identifying and Preparing Academic Leaders do not directly address academic advising. However, they provide great insight about how one can move into leadership roles and identify others who have the potential to do the same.

Reference

Campbell, S. (2002, June). Advancing academic advising through leadership. Academic Advising News, 25 (2), p. 1.