Introduction
Higher education is operating in an increasingly politicized environment. Issues such as curriculum content, free speech, and institutional values are under heightened scrutiny. For CAOs, this presents both challenges and opportunities.
Effective leadership in this context requires clarity of purpose. Institutions must articulate their academic values—intellectual rigor, open inquiry, and respect for diverse perspectives—and consistently align decisions with those principles.
Communication is equally important. CAOs must be able to explain complex academic issues to a range of stakeholders, including trustees, legislators, students, and the public. Transparency and consistency can help build trust, even in contentious situations.
At the same time, CAOs must support faculty and academic units in navigating these pressures. This includes defending academic freedom while ensuring that institutional policies are followed.
Proactive engagement can also be beneficial. Building relationships with external stakeholders before crises arise can create channels for dialogue and reduce misunderstandings.
In this environment, the CAO serves as both advocate and mediator—upholding academic values while navigating a complex and often polarized landscape.
Here is a practical, leadership-oriented checklist to help navigate political and public scrutiny:
Academic Leadership Checklist:
For Navigating Political and Public Scrutiny
1. Clearly Articulate Core Academic Values
Define and consistently reinforce principles such as academic freedom, intellectual rigor, and open inquiry as the foundation for decision-making.
2. Align Decisions with Institutional Mission
Ensure that responses to external pressures are grounded in mission and values—not reactive or ad hoc.
3. Develop a Proactive Communication Strategy
Prepare clear, accessible messaging that explains complex academic issues to diverse audiences, including non-academic stakeholders.
4. Communicate Early, Often, and Transparently
Share information before issues escalate and maintain consistency in messaging to build credibility and trust.
5. Build Strong Relationships with Key Stakeholders
Engage trustees, legislators, alumni, and community leaders regularly—not just during moments of controversy.
6. Support and Protect Faculty
Defend academic freedom while helping faculty understand institutional policies, expectations, and the broader external context.
7. Establish Clear Policies on Contentious Issues
Ensure institutional policies on free speech, curriculum, and academic standards are well-defined, up-to-date, and consistently applied.
8. Prepare for Crisis Scenarios
Develop response protocols for high-profile controversies, including roles, messaging, and decision-making processes.
9. Foster Internal Alignment Among Leadership
Ensure presidents, provosts, deans, and communications teams are coordinated and aligned in both strategy and messaging.
10. Lead with Integrity and Consistency
Demonstrate steady, principled leadership—even under pressure—to reinforce institutional credibility and long-term trust.
This checklist equips CAOs to act as both stewards of academic values and skilled navigators of external pressures—balancing advocacy, diplomacy, and strategic leadership.
Although the checklist is general and intended as a reminder, it provides you with information to help ensure institutional compliance and reduce risk. I hope you find the checklist helpful and I welcome your ideas and suggestions. Please be sure to consult with your legal counsel on matters requiring legal advice. You can reach me at [email protected]
By: Mary Kennard, Esq.
Senior Consultant, Academic Search.org
© Mary E. Kennard, 2026
Updated March 2026