Academic Turnarounds: Restoring Vitality to Challenged American Colleges/Universities

(Paperback)

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What are the hallmarks of a lasting institutional turnaround It is too easy to mistake a single initiative_mounting a new marketing program, for example, or bringing in a million dollar donation_for a true turnaround. Successful turnarounds involve profound, often difficult, actions that affect the finances, academic offerings, and reputations of colleges and universities. They take institutions to new levels of performance and then present new challenges. MacTaggart examines the several stages that comprise institutional turnarounds and offers practical advice on setting and reaching higher levels of performance. MacTaggart also discusses the early indicators of a college or universityOs need for a turnaround. He and his colleagues outline financial trends and other indicators of distress, as well as benchmarks for the various stages in an effective turnaround strategy. Academic Turnarounds will help trustees, presidents, and faculty members diagnose whether or not they are in denial over the true condition of the institution they are charged with preserving. Donors, state officials, accreditors, and others interested in the quality and vitality of American higher education will find direction in this book.

Reviews

Filled with vivid case studies and careful analyses, Academic Turnarounds is a highly useful and insightful book. Terry MacTaggart and his co-authors have made a substantive contribution to both the theory and the practice of leadership and management in academic institutions. It merits the interest of a wide audience, including faculty leaders, administrators, and trustees. -- Richard L. Morrill, Chancellor, University of Richmond, Virginia, president, the Teagle Foundation
For both practitioners and academicians, Academic Turnarounds provides essental information about how institutions get into trouble and recover. Its lessons are applicable to a wide range of public and private colleges and universities and especially during these tough economic times. The book's use of case studies and real word examples are nicely balanced with more conceptual frameworks about revitilization, financial analysis, and leadership lessons. I plan to refer to this book in my work with trustees, teaching, and writing and urge my colleagues to do the same. -- Kent John Chabotar, professor of political science and president, Guilford College, North Carolina
In todays challenging environment for higher education there is increased pressure for institutions to maintain a high level of quality while managing efficiently. When institutions find themselves in a difficult position, they need to take bold steps to renew themselves. Financial pressure is just one area that can put an institution in jeopardy. It is time for a fresh take on collaborative leadership to meet these challenges head-on and to develop and implement a path to a turnaround strategy, when it becomes a necessity. MacTaggart and his colleagues raise some important issues and present solid recommendations. Presidents, board members and other institutional leaders should read and consider the advice contained in its pages. It is a volume that adds value. -- Richard D. Legon, President, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

Author Bio

Terrence MacTaggart has served as chancellor of the University of Maine system and the Minnesota State University system. He participated in the turnaround of Webster University (Missouri), led the revitalization of the University of Wisconsin, Superior, and organized the turnaround strategies that led to increased public support and a stronger reputation for the University of Maine system.