Leading From the Top

Abstract

Higher education institutions represent powerful structures that both empower and disenfranchise students, faculty, administrators, and communities, influencing the possibilities of progress and inclusion. This chapter focuses on the role presidents have as agents of ongoing engagement in civic and democratic ideals and efforts. In the midst of a global pandemic, police violence, racial injustice, and the conclusion to a divisive four-year presidency, 2020 presented college and university presidents with unique challenges on their campuses. Leading a campus is further complicated by competing interests and the identities of presidents themselves with most presidents identifying as white men in their 60s. Lastly, this chapter will share examples of best practices demonstrating ways in which presidents are driving democracy and civic engagement in varying ways centered in recent world events such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, violent deaths of Black community members, and the presidential election.