The President's Chief of Staff: A Guide to Working With This Key Campus Partner

Abstract

The college presidency is a large, complex position that requires a broad and deep understanding of every facet of the campus in the most disparate and profound ways—from student recruitment to research expenditures; from campus safety to fundraising; from academic affairs to legislation. Such range is not only impractical but nearly impossible for a single individual to keep timely and organized in real time, thus the role of advisors and handlers is critical. This paradigm requires high levels of performance at every level of the institution to protect the president from spending energy on time-consuming tasks. Compounding an insatiable presidential need for information to do the job, is the fact that the presidency can be a lonely position. The chief of staff can be a critical partner, resource, and catalyst to the success of the president. This chapter unpacks some nuances of the role, shares observations, characteristics, and experiences of incumbent chiefs of staff and lends first-hand narrative advice for both presidents and those seeking the position.