The book provides case studies for reflection in a broad array of situations that that provosts must deal with.

The book provides case studies for reflection in a broad array of situations that that provosts must deal with. The short scenarios and case studies are useful for thinking about problems or issues in advance and considering options that might be available. When analyzing circumstances, readers may find it useful to identify setting aspects that apply to their institutions. While there are differences in involvement, actions and outcomes, each case provides multiple connectors and situational insights for a provost. The book presents tips on deciding to become a provost, interviewing successfully, and managing the "honeymoon" period in a new position. It addresses challenges unique to the provost, such as balancing academic and institutional priorities or leading from a perspective of diversity. Questions on assessing the "fit" of your team and creating a shared vision of academic affairs are probed through example. Collaborations across other divisions of the university and the provost's role in shared governance guide the reader to examine how to lead change. Leading change is having a vision for the academy and provosts are agents of power outside of their own institutions who shape the dialog of future higher education.

This book reveals the joys and challenges, stresses and benefits of the provost position. The many examples provided in case studies and scenarios fit a wide variety of campuses, as well as provost types, and give the reader much to consider. While the authors do not provide the "right" answers for the cases and scenarios, the differing approaches offered give readers an opportunity to think through what solutions they feel best suited to their leadership type and to understand what the potential outcomes of such choices might be. Along with the extensive exemplars, the authors provide a number of philosophical and practical pieces of advice for those new to or considering the provost position. These include such things as the challenges associated with communication, about which the authors say note that people hearing things they like are much more likely to judge the communication as effective than those hearing things they don't wish to hear; and the need to establish your own ethical boundaries or "uncrossable lines" before they are ever challenged; as well as hiring, working with direct reports and faculty groups, and collaborating across divisions. While a reader won't find a "how to" or all the answers here, it will stimulate the sort of thinking that is a necessity for those newly inhabiting or pondering a move to the role of provost.