Normalizing the Interim Executive Leader

With Guests: Dr. Pat Sanaghan and Dr. Karen Whitney

During the month of March we are focusing on the presidency and chancellor roles. According to a 2023 study by the American Council on Education (ACE), the nation’s leading colleges and universities will soon face significant turnover at the presidential level due to a combination of aging presidents and waning interest to assume the role of natural successors such as chief academic officers. Furthermore, presidential tenures now average less than 6 years and more than half (55%) of presidents expect to leave the position within the next 5 years. 

A poor transition can impact the institution in ways that are potentially embarrassing and catastrophic having long standing implications for institutional reputation and institutional continuity. 

Guests, Dr. Pat Sanaghan and Dr. Karen Whitney are two of the co-authors of the new book, Onboarding the “Transitional” Presidency: A New Imperative for the “Interim Presidents”. Pat and Karen believe that now is the time to ‘normalize’ the benefits of an interim president, especially as it relates to the long-term transitional success for campus leadership. This was a great conversation and I hope you enjoy it. 

Contact Dr. Pat Sanaghan and the Sanaghan Group

Follow Dr. Karen Whitney on Linked In

Purchase the book, Onboarding the “Transitional” Presidency: A New Imperative for the “Interim Presidents”