Recognizing Excellence in Higher Education Leadership, Student Success, and Institutional Innovation

Across America’s colleges and universities, successful presidents are making a difference in the lives of students, faculty, staff, and communities. Through visionary leadership, innovative academic programs, and a commitment to educational excellence, these institutional leaders are expanding opportunities for students to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.

To recognize these accomplishments and inspire the next generation of higher education leaders, The Holmes Education Post (THEP) will identify and invite outstanding college and university presidents nationwide to be considered for its Career Paths feature.

THEP, an education-focused internet newspaper, has a history of interviewing accomplished professionals to help readers understand the educational preparation, professional experiences, challenges, and opportunities associated with different careers. This initiative will extend that tradition by highlighting college and university presidents whose leadership has produced meaningful improvements in their institutions.

Successful presidents do more than oversee institutional operations. They establish a clear vision for academic excellence, promote student achievement, strengthen faculty and staff development, manage financial resources responsibly, and build partnerships that advance institutional and community success. Their accomplishments offer valuable lessons for aspiring college presidents, higher education administrators, faculty members, and other educational professionals.

What Qualifies a College or University President for Consideration?

THEP seeks presidents who demonstrate excellence in several areas including:

1. Student Success and Academic Achievement: Documented improvement in student retention, graduation rates, degree completion, academic performance, or other meaningful educational outcomes.
2. Academic and Institutional Leadership: Effective strategies for strengthening academic programs, faculty development, institutional governance, and educational quality.
3. Institutional Improvement: Evidence of successful initiatives addressing higher education challenges, including declining enrollment, financial constraints, student retention, or institutional effectiveness.
4. Innovative Leadership: Creative academic programs, technological advancements, research initiatives, or workforce development partnerships that expand educational opportunities.
5. Financial Stewardship and Institutional Sustainability: Demonstrated success in responsible financial management, fundraising, resource development, and long-term institutional stability.
6. Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships: Meaningful collaborations with businesses, government agencies, alumni, educational institutions, and community organizations that strengthen institutional impact.
7. Ethical and Student-Centered Leadership: A record of integrity, professional responsibility, transparent governance, and commitment to the educational needs and success of all students.

Candidates should preferably have at least three years of successful experience as a college or university president although exceptional leaders with shorter tenures may also be considered.

Sharing the Career Path to Higher Education Leadership

Selected presidents will have an opportunity to share the professional journeys that led to their leadership positions. Interviews will explore their educational backgrounds, teaching and administrative experiences, professional preparation, leadership philosophies, significant accomplishments, challenges, and recommendations for individuals interested in becoming college or university presidents.

THEP is particularly interested in presidents who can explain how their leadership practices have improved student success, strengthened institutional effectiveness, and created opportunities for educational innovation that other colleges and universities can learn from and potentially apply.

Identification and Selection of Outstanding Presidents

The Holmes Education Post will identify and invite successful college and university presidents to be considered for its Career Paths feature through recommendations from institutional governing boards, higher education associations, educational leaders, and other credible educational sources. THEP may also independently identify outstanding presidents based on documented leadership accomplishments, institutional improvement initiatives, and student success.

Potential candidates will be evaluated based on their professional backgrounds, leadership accomplishments, and demonstrated contributions to higher education excellence. Selected presidents will be contacted for a potential interview, with publication determined by THEP’s editorial discretion, candidate qualifications, and feature availability.

Through this selective process, The Holmes Education Post seeks to recognize outstanding college and university presidents whose leadership accomplishments and career experiences can inspire tomorrow’s higher education leaders.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of 33 books and publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper.  Holmes is a former teacher, school administrator, test developer and district superintendent. Holmes has written children’s books on the coronavirus, solar system, flowers, colors, careers, continents, animals, birds and school bullying. His adult books focus on religion, relationships, hazing, workplace bullying, bipolar disorder, health and fitness, educational reform, and navigating the dissertation process.