When the Chair-President ‘Marriage’ Goes Sour
Preview:
In a conversation recently with someone whose presidency and mine overlapped (1992–2003), we talked about how even though we worked 24-7 and lost a fair amount of sleep, we mainly loved what we did and even had lots of fun doing it. That is not what I am hearing today from presidents I know, nearly all of whom use language like “I’m worn out” and “I can’t wait to retire.” It is therefore not surprising that the average presidential tenure, according to a recent American Council on Education survey, has decreased significantly in recent years (from 8.5 years to 5.9).
Originally published: February 12, 2025
Author: Susan Resneck Pierce
Position: President Emerita
Institution: University of Puget Sound
Published by: Inside Higher Ed