The American College President Study, conducted by the American Council on Education and sponsored by the TIAA Institute, has long served the higher education community as the most comprehensive and frequently cited reference on the college presidency and pathways to higher education leadership. The study includes important data on presidential demographics, search and selection processes, career trajectories, and duties and responsibilities—with a focus on the intersectional lenses of race and gender. The 2023 Edition also includes new data on when respondents first aspired, applied and were appointed to the presidency; information on responsibilities presidents balance with their jobs, including caregiving for loved ones; and questions on presidents' community and support network.
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Key Insights
- The population of current presidents was still not representative of the students served.
- Presidents were newer to their current position than in previous surveys, especially among women and presidents of color.
- Over half (55 percent) of presidents planned to step down from their current positions within the next five years.
- There were notable differences by gender in when presidents reported that they first aspired, applied, and were appointed to the presidency.
- Presidents of color generally, and women of color in particular, reported some different experiences with transparency and disclosure during the presidential search process.
- Presidents most commonly identified reaching the presidency via a faculty or academic career pathway.
