10

CHAPTERCHAPTER

Strategic Leadership in Context:

From Academic Programs

to Financial Models

T

hus far I have described and illustrated several of the key components of the
strategy process. Ultimately each institution has to bring these methods to
bear on specific areas of organizational responsibility. The actual content of
strategic initiatives, goals, and actions is determined by the planning that occurs
within the different spheres of each institution’s diverse activities, from academic
to financial affairs. As a result, there is no way to import detailed strategic content
from external sources. The story, vision, contextual position, and deliberative
processes of each college and university are embedded in a unique identity, so
strategic content has to be grown at home.
While giving full weight to uniqueness, it is still possible to highlight the gen-
eral features of strategic leadership as different organizational operations and pro-
grams come to terms with the changing world around them. In doing so, we shall
examine brief ly and selectively the way strategic leadership differentially shapes
the consideration of:

• Academic programs


• Student learning


• General education


• Admissions


• Student life


• Facilities planning


• Financial resources


• Fund-raising