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Linda Sanderson - Executive Director, Human Resources, Vancouver Community College, Canada

What is the most pressing issue confronting higher education in sustaining the enterprise for the future?
Te most pressing issue confronting higher education in sustaining the enterprise for the future is the need to secure
viable long-term funding. Accessibility is limited for students due to higher living costs, annual tuition fee increases,
lack of living wage jobs, and heavy student debt loads. Governments are reducing their funding levels while at the
same time depending on institutions to provide skilled graduates to fll vacancies in the job market. Employers are
demanding skilled employees for their businesses but are reluctant to invest in training and development. Leaders
in post-secondary need to fnd a way to forge strong partnerships with industry, government, and small business to
ensure that funding sources for higher education are strong, reliable, and based on delivering results.
What leadership challenges are at the forefront in leading and or managing the enterprise?
Te biggest leadership challenge in managing the post-secondary enterprise is managing change. In order to respond to the changing needs of learners
and demands of our stakeholders, institutions and the people who make them work need to be able to adapt more quickly to change. Tis requires
leaders who are clear about what changes are needed and what they mean for the organization. Leaders need to recognize that people are more likely to
engage with their organizations and make changes work if they have been involved in the process. Collaboration in the decision-making process and in
planning for the future is challenging but will help to create a culture that embraces change and is accountable for the success of the enterprise.
What is your overall prognosis regarding the health of the enterprise in looking forward three to fve years?
My prognosis for the health of the post-secondary enterprise is one of cautious optimism. We have a demographic and economic perfect storm
brewing that highlights the need for what post-secondary institutions provide - graduates with critical thinking and job-ready skills. With millions
of baby boomers ready to retire over the next 10 years and new industries looking for people with creativity and the right skills, the need for strong
post-secondary education is great. My caution surrounds our ability to become as nimble and innovative as we will need to be in order to meet
these changing demands.

Dr. Shaun L. McKay - President, Suffolk County Community College, USA
What is the most pressing issue confronting higher education in sustaining the enterprise for the future?
Colleges and universities play a crucial role in supporting our nation’s economic growth. However, our institutions
of higher education are wrestling with increasing cost pressures, and further investment will be needed if they are to
continue delivering the very best education, led by cutting-edge research at prices students and – in the case of public
institutions – taxpayers can aford.
What leadership challenges are at the forefront in leading and or managing the enterprise?
Colleges are facing increased scrutiny both internally and externally. Accrediting agencies are requiring specifc
information about learning outcomes and assessment measures. In addition, our institutions are facing a “brain-
drain” – experienced faculty and administration are retiring or moving to other institutions taking with them their
experience and institutional memories. Te average tenure of a college president, according to a 2012 American Council on Education report, was
seven years, down from 8.5 in 2006.
What is your overall prognosis regarding the health of the enterprise in looking forward three to fve years?
Technological advances currently underway are changing the perception of the college campus from a physical one to include a virtual presence as
well. Te impact of reductions in legislatively-allocated taxpayer appropriations for colleges and universities will continue to afect every aspect of
the campus enterprise, and the ability to attract and retain talented administrators, faculty, and staf will continue to challenge our institutions.

Renea L. Ranguette - Vice President for Finance & Operations, Blackhawk Technical College, USA
What is the most pressing issue confronting higher education in sustaining the enterprise for the future?
Tere is signifcant external pressure to improve performance results with many states considering a performance-
based distribution of general state aid. Te quality of these funding models may signifcantly afect the delivery of
higher education services particularly for those students who are under-prepared for college-level work and will
require additional time and support to achieve success in completion. Funding models that fail to recognize these
difering needs in student populations may serve to limit access to those most in need. Some colleges and universities
may fnd the funding formula to be at odds with their mission of access and afordability.
What leadership challenges are at the forefront in leading and or managing the enterprise?
Leadership will be challenged to maintain focus on strategic initiatives that will advance the institution in achieving
its mission while simultaneously responding to the changing funding landscape in higher education. Many institutions are experiencing funding
challenges due to reduced state funding and the public outcry to limit tuition increases as student debt is at an all-time high. Leadership will be
challenged to make the right resource allocation decision rather than the easy decision, which spreads the pain across the institution but seriously
challenges the ability to maintain quality of service.
What is your overall prognosis regarding the health of the enterprise in looking forward three to fve years?
Te demand for higher education will remain strong well into the future; however, the degree to which colleges and universities respond to their
student and community needs and adapt to the changing external environment will largely determine the health of the individual institution.

LEADERSHIP Vol. 19.3 Winter 2014 5

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