Surviving to Thriving: A Planning Framework for Leaders of Private Colleges & Universities

"Surviving to Thriving" details a pathway that will enable higher education institutions to foster resilience and reinvention while maintaining the core commitment to educate citizens for the common good. In these turbulent times, this manuscript is engaging, organized, and filled with helpful insights. If college board members, presidents, and their senior leadership teams read this guide and implement the principles outlined in its pages, the next decade will be a period of positive growth and development for private higher education institutions.-Dr. Kim S. Phipps, President, Messiah College

Turbulent times, indeed - navigating the higher education landscape today presents a multi-faceted challenge to leaders of private colleges and universities. While some institutions close their doors, face declining retention, or struggle with a lack of direction, others work carefully and intentionally to hone their leadership team, plan for the future using targeted research and tools for accountability, and meet students where they are to provide them with the best tools for learning and success.

Through years of higher education consulting, Joanne Soliday and her consulting team saw patterns emerge in both the struggles and accomplishments of the schools they served. Over time, nine elements emerged as key drivers for success at those institutions, and became the Thriving Framework. In "Surviving to Thriving," Soliday and co-author Rick Mann examine these nine elements through the dual lenses of experience and research.

Discussion questions for leadership teams and a collection of suggested readings from a broad spectrum of university and college leaders provide additional thought-provoking resources. A companion online diagnostic survey allows leadership teams to evaluate their own institution's level of urgency across the elements of the Thriving Framework, and serves as a powerful tool for cabinet and board consideration.