We assume, for the sake of argument, that the sole purpose of colleges and universities is the advancement of knowledge through teaching and research, and that academic merit, as defined by each discipline, ought to be the only relevant criterion in admissions and hiring decisions. Even on this restrictive set of assumptions, we argue that hiring…

In the last ten years, many colleges, universities, boards, and agencies have jumped on the diverse faculty/staff hiring bandwagon not only by issuing resolutions, policies, and mandates but also by inventing programs, initiatives, and strategies all intended to increase the number of faculty and staff of color in predominantly White institutions.…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This June 4, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "What Has Happened to Historical Literacy?" (Rabb, Theodore K.); (2)…

If we could survey academic chief executive search committees across higher education, a composite definition of reference checking would likely include verification of factual information such as dates of employment, job titles, and responsibilities, as well as an evaluation of successful performance and leadership skills. Although everyone would…

The feminist phase theory (Tetreault, 1985) was used to examine the cultural patterns embedded in a department of a large, urban university, to classify how the faculty in the department perceived women, and to examine how our own behavior as two newly hired associate and assistant professors contributed or did not contribute to these patterns of…

This article critically analyses administrative searches through the experiences and perspectives of candidates and search committee chairs at a predominantly white university. A model of filtering is advanced that describes how candidates are included and excluded and how the perspectives and consequences differ for black female, black male,…

Evolutionary paths for faculty are no longer sacred routes to chief academic officer (CAO) roles. Instead, CAOs are being drawn from a variety of other arenas. This being the case, college and university officials must address the following areas: (1) alternative career paths to academic affairs; (2) how to identify future leaders from other…

Last year, Franci, a very knowledgeable Lakota scholar and writer, arrived to teach at this author's university. The author's friend, Malea, had left, so she was pleased to see another American Indian face in the department. The past year it had become clear that Indians faced many hardships at the university, but most strikingly they continued to…

Almost 900 employers responded to this year's "Recruiting Trends" survey, the largest response in the history of this project. Hiring of college graduates is expected to increase by single digits minimally, or double digits if certain geographic sectors are excluded (between 6% and 14%). This growth follows a robust 20% increase in…

This paper includes over 800 stories about higher education institutions that are leading the way to a sustainable future. It is organized into 24 chapters spanning education, research, campus operations, administration, and finance. [Funding for this paper was provided by Mithun and PortionPac. For 2006 report, see ED538257.]

Finding the right candidates for positions is a difficult task for employers. For job applicants obtaining the best positions available can also be challenging. One problem is the inherent weakness of one page cover letters, two page resumes, or short portfolios to present an applicant's talents thoroughly. One successful method of displaying a…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the career paths and educational preparation of African American female college presidents. Forty-three of the 59 college presidents responded to a Likert-type survey. Findings indicated that African American female college presidents were more likely to hold a doctorate in education and came to the…

Some conceptual frameworks guide the work of university administrators, informing effective hiring, planning, and budgeting.

As universities and colleges have changed, so has the role of faculty. Greater accountability is expected for faculty time and effort. This paper considers faculty roles by the institution preparing new faculty, the institution hiring new faculty, and the new faculty member themselves. All institutions are seeking faculty who are triple threats:…

This study reports the results of research with respect to policy and diversity, as part of a larger case study of a Canadian university-college. The study details an examination of policy discourses as a vehicle for institutional change and provides insights into the everyday experiences of educators, their perspectives on policy and change, and…