About

Terrence “Terry” J. MacTaggart, PhD, is an experienced leader and scholar in higher education. His consulting and research work focuses on higher education leadership and policy, board development, and presidential and chancellor evaluations. He held the chancellor’s position at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, the Minnesota State University System, and on two occasions at the University of Maine System. He also served as a board chair, senior executive, and faculty member at public and independent colleges and universities where he often led or participated in multiple institutional turnarounds.

While he is best known for his work with public universities and systems, he has assisted leaders of a variety of other institutions. These include research universities, urban and metropolitan universities, distinguished independent institutions, regional comprehensives, international colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, nontraditional colleges, community colleges, and proprietary schools.

Leadership support, evaluation, and transitions are the major topics of his advisory services and his research. He coauthored with Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran, president emerita of Kalamazoo College, the forthcoming book from the Johns Hopkins University Press entitled The New College President. Other recent publications include Assessing and Developing College and University Presidents, Crisis Leadership: A Guide for Boards and Presidents, and The 21st Century Presidency: A Call to Enterprise Leadership, all available from AGB.

Professional Credentials

MacTaggart graduated cum laude from Canisius College’s Honors Program, then received a master’s degree and doctorate in English literature from Saint Louis University. He also holds an MBA and several honorary degrees. MacTaggart served as a Fulbright Scholar to Thailand and to Vietnam as an expert on accreditation and quality assurance. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.