Abstract
All too often, however, institutions drop the ball in setting up interim administrators to flourish in key senior positions. Misperceptions surround these short-term appointments, which often emerge suddenly and come with intense challenges. Interim leaders, The Chronicle reported, “face a daunting task. They are often asked to tackle longstanding problems without the full authority, mandate, or resources of someone in a permanent position, all within an abbreviated time frame.” Leadership turnover is stressful, even when it comes with plenty of notice. As three academic leaders (two deans and a provost), we have each held interim positions in our careers. With a new academic year approaching — one that promises to be no less challenging than 2023-24 — we have advice for higher-ed institutions on what they can, and should, do to better facilitate unplanned changeovers.