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Insights from Sallie Mae Campus Solutions

College presidents are tasked with myriad roles and responsibilities. What each shares, however, is a vision to foster a campus environment that nurtures the academic and social character of students, expands their knowledge base and equips individuals with the skills and abilities necessary for success in the real world.

Mental illness and college students: A new priority for college and university presidents

A growing trend is happening in higher education today — one that is redefining the landscape of college campuses: mental illness. The number of college-age men and women afflicted with some form of mental health disorder has reached crisis proportions. In turn, college and university presidents across the country are faced with unprecedented challenges as they make mental health a new institutional priority on their campuses. Read Mental illness and college students: A new priority for college and university presidents.

Credit cards and college students

College students receive a heavy dose of credit card marketing. While many college students comprehend the responsibilities associated with having credit cards, others may not be so lucky. Unknowingly, these students are setting the stage for a pattern of long-term debt, one that could resonate loudly when they find their chances of purchasing a home or securing student loans diminished. Read Credit cards and college students.

Reports and trends

Reports, studies, and trends affecting college presidents and their campuses.

Washington Report

The latest news from Capitol Hill on higher education.

Insights from Sallie Mae Campus Solutions focuses on the issues and challenges facing college and university presidents today. Our stories are designed to provide information and stimulate dialogue, as well as offer insight on what higher education leaders are doing to strengthen and improve their institution.

Did you know?

• The percentage of college and university presidents who were women grew from 10% in 1986 to 23% of the total in 2006.

• Women are most likely to head two-year colleges, where 29% of presidents were women in 2006 compared with 8% in 1986.

• In 2006, 6% of all college presidents were African American, 5% were Hispanic, 1% were Asian American, 1% were American Indian, and 2% were identified as “other.”

• The average age of college presidents has increased from 52 years in 1986 to 60 years in 2006.

• The use of search consultants has risen dramatically since 1986, with more than half of recent search processes using search consultants, up from 12% for college presidents hired before 1984.

• Fund raising (37.7%), budget/financial management (34.8%), community relations (20.9%), and strategic planning (20.9%) were most often cited as the primary uses of time by college presidents. Private college presidents most often cited fund raising (51.7%) as the primary use of time, while public college presidents cited budget/financial management (35.4%).

Source: The American College President: 2007 Edition, American Council on Education

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