Delta Change
Within the context of a fast-evolving environment, leaders enhance their capacity to respond to exponential change by attending to enduring ideas and big questions. For higher education leaders, a core asset is the diversity of their institutions. In this chapter, the authors first examine the landscape of current and forecasted changes related to enrollment, technology, the 2020 global pandemic, and impending leadership succession. This sets up a discussion of critical climate challenges regarding the cost of higher education and the value of job skills. The perceived value proposition for higher education is further complicated by concerns regarding the political influence of colleges and universities on their students. Whereas these landscape and environment analyses could lead to concerns regarding future, we have cause to be optimistic. Within the context of political polarization, leaders will need to be advocates of inclusive equity and stewards of both deeply held academic ideals and pragmatic strategies that ensure students success and preparation for careers.