Beverly Daniel Tatum
President, Spelman College
As the demographics of the American college presidency indicate, there will be a significant number of college and university presidents across the country retiring from their leadership roles in the next few years. The number of anticipated vacancies provides a unique opportunity to expand the presidential ranks beyond the traditional white male profile that has been the norm throughout the history of higher education.
It seems particularly appropriate to do so when we consider that the college-going student population has never been more diverse. The millennial generation now attending college is the most racially and ethnically diverse in U.S. history. Many would agree that it is time for the leadership of American higher education to begin to reflect the populations we serve. Yet where will these new leaders come from? This tool, reprinted from the winter 2008 supplement to ACE's flagship magazine, The Presidency, focuses on the ways in which higher education can "vigorously address this pipeline issue on multiple fronts" and thus prepare a cadre of leaders for the future.
Read Engaging the Restless Professor (PDF)