In Praise of Long-Term Presidencies: How to Attract and Retain Decade-Plus Leadership

Just a few years ago, the presidency of a college or university seemed a respected occupation and a safe berth. Now all that has changed. The sudden resignations of the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, and Columbia University following congressional bullying and mishandled responses to student demonstrators captured national attention. Less noticed, except by other college presidents, is how quickly they were abandoned by their institutions. Each had served for less than two years. Their resignations represent merely the highest-profile examples of the precariousness of the college presidency.