Episode Details

In this episode of EdUp Provost, host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner sits down with Dr. Reema Zeineldin to discuss the critical role of leadership development in higher education. Dr. Zeineldin shares her insights on why succession planning should be a core faculty affairs responsibility, exploring how high leadership turnover can destabilize institutions and disrupt student outcomes. The conversation dives into why cultivating internal talent — rather than defaulting to external hires — builds continuity, strengthens institutional culture, and creates a more resilient leadership pipeline. Dr. Zeineldin also unpacks how investing in faculty leadership development sends a powerful message about an institution's values, boosting morale and signaling genuine commitment to faculty growth. Listeners will come away with practical strategies for building tailored, effective leadership development programs on their own campuses.

Takeaways

• Succession planning is a necessity, not a luxury. High leadership turnover in higher ed can destabilize operations and negatively affect student outcomes.
• Internal talent brings institutional knowledge. Leaders who've grown within an institution understand its culture and values, enabling more informed, aligned decision-making.
• Investment in faculty signals value. Leadership development programs boost morale by showing faculty the institution is committed to their growth.
• One-size-fits-all doesn't work. Effective programs are tailored to individual faculty aspirations, whether they're aiming for advancement or transferable skills.
• A strong pipeline reduces risk. Building leadership capacity internally ensures qualified candidates are ready to step up, reducing reliance on costly external hires.