College presidents are facing one of the most difficult leadership moments in modern higher education. After more than 100 interviews with presidents, chancellors, provosts, system heads, and higher ed leaders, Bridget Burns and Doug Lederman unpack what the public, boards, faculty, staff, and policymakers often misunderstand about the college presidency.

This conversation explores why presidential turnover is rising, why innovation stalls on campuses, and how political pressure, financial instability, media scrutiny, governing boards, athletics, enrollment challenges, and student success expectations are reshaping the role.

If you work in higher education, lead a campus team, serve on a board, advise presidents, cover higher ed, or aspire to become a college president, this episode offers a candid look at what leadership actually requires today. You’ll hear why the job is so hard, what separates mission-driven leaders from career “hoppers,” how institutions can create cultures of innovation, and why student success must become the real north star for higher education transformation.

You’ll learn

Why the college presidency is often misunderstood

How presidential turnover can set campuses back for years

What innovative leaders do differently

Why higher education may finally be ready to put students at the center in a meaningful way.

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This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.