

Daniel Grassian
It's not the "dark side" if you approach it with insight, wit, and compassion.
Most new college and university administrators, especially if they come directly from the faculty ranks or from outside academia, receive little if any training. Rather, they try to succeed mostly by stumbling through the (semi-)dark with a combination of their own knowledge and experience as well as on-the-job learning. This can lead to costly (for the administrator and the institution) mistakes as well as professional failures and campus-wide miseries.
In An Insider's Guide to University Administration, Daniel...
It's not the "dark side" if you approach it with insight, wit, and compassion.
Most new college and university administrators, especially if they come directly from the faculty ranks or from outside academia, receive little if any training. Rather, they try to succeed mostly by stumbling through the (semi-)dark with a combination of their own knowledge and experience as well as on-the-job learning. This can lead to costly (for the administrator and the institution) mistakes as well as professional failures and campus-wide miseries.
In An Insider's Guide to University Administration, Daniel Grassian helps those currently in faculty positions or outside academia determine whether a career in college and university administration is right for them—and, if so, how to best position themselves for success. Applying theory to real, practical examples of university administration, Grassian provides both prospective and current administrators with an in-depth critical analysis of areas pertinent to college and university administration, including leadership, management, vision, diversity, ethics, and fund-raising.
Drawing on his varied, extensive teaching and administrative career, Grassian leaves readers with a better understanding of what those in college and university administration do and the important practical, political, and ethical issues with which they engage.
Drawing on practical, real-world, and historical experience, Daniel Grassian provides nuanced insight into being an administrator. This pragmatic, well-written guide is an essential read.
A lively compendium of practical insights, this guidebook offers a rich trove of firsthand experiences, real situations, and case studies to inform today's university administrators. Grassian skillfully elucidates the convoluted dynamics and challenges often unique to academic life, presenting valuable insights for new administrators as well as those of us already serving.
Grassian's book provides an excellent overview of higher education administration to faculty members and others from outside academia. Seasoned administrators will recognize and enjoy his pithy observations of the structural and cultural realities of the profession. I appreciated the practical advice, and believe it will become an invaluable reference guide.
Introduction. Don't Panic!
Chapter 1. College and University Administration 101
Chapter 2. Finances, Fund-Raising, and Budgeting
Chapter 3. Free Speech, Censorship, and Harassment
Chapter 4. Vision
Introduction. Don't Panic!
Chapter 1. College and University Administration 101
Chapter 2. Finances, Fund-Raising, and Budgeting
Chapter 3. Free Speech, Censorship, and Harassment
Chapter 4. Vision, Strategic Planning, Branding, and Image
Chapter 5. Management, Leadership, and Ethics
Chapter 6. Diversity, Inclusion, and Religious Affiliation
Conclusion. The Future of the College and University Administrator
Notes
Bibliography
Index
with Hopkins Press Books