Turnaround: Leading Stressed Colleges and Universities to Excellence

by James Martin, James E. Samels

Nearly one thousand colleges and universities in the United States face major challenges—from catastrophic hurricanes to loss of accreditation to sagging enrollment. What can leaders of such at-risk institutions do to improve their situation? Turnaround gives college and university leaders the tools they need to put their fragile institutions back on a path to success.

This comprehensive handbook outlines how board members, presidents, and administrators can identify their institutions' weaknesses, implement plans for improvement, and mitigate existing damage. Turnaround also identifies the legal pitfalls that often accompany institutional change, offering solutions for how to overcome such obstacles or avoid them altogether.

Evaluating the experiences of two hundred college leaders, the contributors share such critical information

• 20 indicators of institutional vulnerability• 10 necessary skills for presidents directing a turnaround• 5 characteristics of institutions that have completed successful turnarounds• 10 lessons of successful turnarounds

Featuring candid advice from decision makers who have faced severe challenges, Turnaround is a valuable resource for college and university leaders facing tough times.

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ed Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent anthology of articles from over a dozen experts on higher education turn around. Covering elements ranging from board relations to financial measures, the reader will come away with actionable suggestions, useful tips, and additional resources to peruse. Because it is written for a higher ed oriented reader, it is also well annotated and data driven. For the leader facing a turn around at a higher ed institution, this is a must add to the library.