Every university relies on strong leadership to carry its mission forward. At the highest level, university provosts and presidents make decisions that influence not only academic priorities but also the financial health, community reputation, and long-term direction of the institution. Their charge is both practical and deeply principled: addressing day-to-day challenges while keeping the university true to its values.
This blog explores how you can prepare for these roles, tracing the pathways that build the skills, experience, and perspective required to take the helm of higher education.
In This Article, We Will Answer…
- Who can become a leader in a college setting?
- How can you determine if higher ed leadership is right for you?
- What do provosts and university presidents actually do?
- What can you do to prepare for higher education administration?
- What can a degree from SMU Simmons add to your leadership toolkit?
Who Can Pursue Leadership in Higher Education?
Reaching the level of provost or president is the result of years of preparation, professionally, academically, and personally. Candidates for university administration jobs are typically seasoned educators who have built a career in higher education and developed a strong reputation for leadership and integrity.
- Administrative Experience: Most higher ed leaders begin with faculty or administrative positions to gain firsthand experience in the classroom, in research, and in managing the complex operations of a university. Over time, they step into roles with broader responsibilities, such as chairing a department, leading an academic division, or overseeing student services.
Becoming familiar with the institution they serve is also an advantage, as many universities look for leaders who understand and honor their history, culture, and community.
- Terminal Education: Educational preparation is equally important. Nearly all provosts and presidents hold a terminal graduate degree, such as a doctorate in their academic field or in higher education administration. Earning an advanced degree provides not only subject expertise but also training in organizational management, policy, and leadership.
Alongside academic and professional experience, aspiring higher education leaders must cultivate a range of practical skills:
- Leadership
- Financial management
- Strategic planning
- Decision-making
- Community relations
How to Determine If University Leadership Is for You
Not every accomplished educator is called to serve as a provost or president. These positions demand more than academic expertise; they require a commitment to guiding entire institutions through change and challenges. Before pursuing this path, it’s worth weighing both your professional experience and your personal goals.
Leadership in higher education may be the right fit if you:
- Have a record of success in faculty or administrative roles and enjoy leading beyond your immediate responsibilities.
- Want to influence institutional direction by shaping academic programs, policies, and resource allocation.
- Are comfortable stepping into public visibility, representing your university to boards, government officials, and community partners.
On the other hand, these roles may not align with every career path. If you thrive on teaching and research above all else, prefer to stay outside of the public eye, or are uneasy with the financial and political pressures that come with executive leadership, the responsibilities of a provost or president may not be the best fit. Recognizing this early can help you focus your energy where it will be most fulfilling and impactful.
It’s also important to note that top leadership positions are rarely immediate opportunities. Most leadership roles in higher education are board-appointed after years of demonstrated leadership. Investing in your education, broadening your administrative experience, and building strong professional networks today is the first step to becoming a strong candidate in the future.
What Responsibilities Come With Leadership Roles in Higher Education?
University leaders serve as stewards of the institution’s mission and vision while juggling the full complexity of managing an academic community. A provost or president must balance academic oversight with financial management, fundraising, and innovation. They’re responsible for guiding institutional strategy, sustaining public trust, engaging stakeholders from trustees to students, and ensuring the university’s long-term vitality.
In short, these roles demand a rare combination of academic credibility, administrative expertise, and the ability to navigate competing priorities in service of the university’s future.
What Does a Provost Do?
As the chief academic officer, the provost's responsibilities include:
- Overseeing faculty hiring, development, and retention.
- Guiding curriculum design and academic program approval.
- Setting research priorities and supporting scholarly excellence.
- Establishing and enforcing academic policies.
- Balancing innovation with the preservation of academic standards.
- Supporting student learning outcomes across all disciplines.
What Does a University President Do?
As the chief executive officer, the university president’s responsibilities include:
- Representing the university to boards of trustees, alumni, donors, and policymakers.
- Driving institutional visibility and strengthening reputation in the public sphere.
- Ensuring long-term financial sustainability and fundraising success.
- Leading enrollment and growth strategies to secure the university’s future.
- Shaping and sustaining the university’s vision, culture, and values at the highest level.
Strategies to Prepare for the Responsibilities of Higher Education Leadership
Reaching the provost or president’s office requires years of intentional preparation. While no single pathway is identical, most leaders build their careers through a combination of advanced education, broad experience, and a reputation for integrity and vision.
Pursue Advanced Higher Education Leadership Programs
Graduate study is a foundational step for aspiring university executives. A master’s degree in higher education, or a terminal degree such as an Ed.D. or Ph.D., provides essential grounding in governance, finance, organizational change, and equity. These programs add to your qualifications and sharpen the competencies that boards of trustees seek in senior leaders.
At SMU Simmons, advanced leadership programs blend scholarship with practice, preparing graduates for the complex realities of higher education administration.
Gain Broad Experience Across Academic and Administrative Roles
Strong leaders understand both the academic heart of the university and the operational systems that sustain it. Many begin in faculty roles before moving into positions as chairs, deans, or central administrators. Along the way, exposure to budgeting, accreditation, and compliance processes deepens their ability to navigate institutional priorities. This breadth of experience builds the perspective necessary for guiding entire universities rather than single departments.
Develop Skills in Strategic Vision and Policy Governance
Higher education leaders must think in terms of decades, not semesters. Developing long-range vision, interpreting policy within governance structures, and making decisions that balance tradition with innovation are all central to a provost or president’s role. Those who consistently demonstrate sound judgment earn credibility as forward-thinking stewards of the institution.
Cultivate Relationships With Stakeholders and Governing Boards
Leadership is as much relational as it is administrative. Building trust with faculty, staff, students, trustees, and external partners creates the credibility required for influence. Networking within professional associations and higher education organizations can also raise your own visibility and expand opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, future leaders must learn to collaborate effectively with boards of trustees and policymakers, whose support is essential to institutional progress.
Demonstrate Ethical Leadership and a Commitment to Equity
Universities depend on leaders who model integrity. Ethical conduct, transparency in decision-making, and a commitment to equity are non-negotiables for presidents and provosts. Leaders who prioritize inclusivity not only foster healthier campus cultures but also strengthen public trust in their institutions.
Get Everything You Need to Lead Well with a Higher Ed Administration Degree From SMU Simmons
Preparing for senior leadership in higher education requires more than ambition. It takes rigorous training, practical experience, and the ability to translate vision into action. At SMU Simmons, the Higher Education Administration programs are designed to provide exactly that foundation.
Students engage in coursework that builds deep expertise in governance, policy, and organizational leadership, ensuring they understand the complexities that define universities today. Beyond theory, Simmons emphasizes applied learning through projects, case studies, and real-world scenarios that mirror the challenges leaders face at the provost and presidential level.
Graduates emerge ready to step into senior leadership roles in higher education and make strategic decisions as they promote innovation and uphold the mission of the institutions they serve.
Download your copy of Your Future in Higher Ed: A Guide to Pursuing Your MEd or EdD in Higher Education to take the next step toward shaping the future of higher education.
