Employment experiences of college presidents?

Hey guys, I'm curious about the backgrounds of college presidents. Do most of them have previous experience as faculty or in an academic setting before landing the role?

Absolutely, most college presidents do indeed have a background in academia. Before becoming college presidents, many of them have been faculty members, provosts, deans or held other executive roles within the academic field. This experience is valuable because it provides an understanding of the academic culture and the day-to-day operations of a college or university.

For instance, many college presidents begin their careers as professors and then step into administrative roles such as department chair or dean. After that, they might become a vice president or a provost (the senior academic official at a college or university) before eventually stepping into the role of president.

In recent years, however, there has been an increasing trend of hiring presidents from non-academic backgrounds, such as business, politics, or law. These individuals often bring a unique perspective and a different set of skills to the table, which can be beneficial in certain circumstances, especially when it comes to fundraising and building relationships with the broader community and potential donors.

Despite these occasional exceptions, advancement through the academic ranks remains the most common pathway to the college presidency. Academic accomplishments, leadership experience within a university, and an understanding of the intricacies of the higher education landscape are usually seen as crucial qualifications for college presidents.