Ethics in Higher Education: Values-driven Leaders for the Future

8

CHANGE LEADERSHIP,

ETHICS

AND THE FUTURE

OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Maxim Jean-Louis

8.1 Introduction

Leaders in higher education face a great many responsibilities and an
equal if not greater number of challenges. Amongst the numerous
responsibilities of a higher education leader today is the expectation that
they lead change, and do so strategically, sustainably and ethically. In
our work as Contact North | Contact Nord with publicly funded colleges
and universities in Ontario and in our interactions around the world, we
can see these challenges “up close and personal” for Vice Chancellors,
rectors and other leaders tasked with leading and directing academic and
administrative success in the global higher education system.
Five strategic challenges in particular are at the heart of the changing
realities for institutional leaders:

1) Costs and Competitiveness - several universities and colleges are

facing financial challenges due to declining revenues from

Government, changed market conditions and shifts in student

demand. Others are looking at mergers and there are likely,