Beyond the Classroom: How Higher Education Administrators Shape Universities
Friday, February 21, 2025 | 8:00 AM
What is the Role of Higher Education Administration in Colleges and Universities?
Good question.
Let’s pull back the curtain and give you a glimpse.
Higher education goes beyond classes and research; it requires the leadership of colleges and universities to plan, manage, and make decisions that help them operate smoothly. Every aspect of a student’s experience is touched on by higher ed administrators. From planning Welcome Week to funding initiatives that help students cross the finish line. None of it happens without the know-how of higher ed professionals.
That is where higher education administrators step in to make a difference.
Ensuring Student Success
Higher education administrators are responsible for key aspects of student life. From the moment they become aware of a program up until they walk across the stage to receive their degree. Administrators oversee housing, career services, and academic support programs—all of which are designed to help students succeed. Whether it's to make sure students have the financial resources to enroll in courses, or make sure they are well fed, administrators make sure students meet their academic goals without any hiccups.
For example, student affairs teams create initiatives that promote engagement and provide support for students facing personal or academic challenges. This work is especially important in institutions that serve a variety of student populations, where understanding and addressing the unique needs of every student can help with keeping them in school and ensuring they graduate.
Shaping Institutional Policies
Here’s another area administrators make a difference: They take part in developing policies that affect the way colleges and universities operate. This includes setting policies on admissions and awarding financial assistance to the students who need it most.
They make education fair and accessible to everyone. They advocate policies that expand higher education access and bring comprehensive support services for students from all walks of life.
Shaping Academic Programs and Faculty Leadership
Higher education administrators don’t just support student services; they also play a critical role in shaping academic programs and overseeing faculty. Positions like academic coordinators help manage curriculum development, assess program effectiveness, and ensure courses align with institutional goals. They work closely with faculty to enhance academic quality, support accreditation processes, and drive innovation in teaching and learning.
Additionally, some higher education administrators hold faculty positions, balancing administrative duties with teaching responsibilities. This dual role allows them to contribute directly to academic excellence while influencing broader institutional policies.
Managing Resources and Finances
Have a love for finance but want to work in a field that makes a difference? There’s room for you in higher ed! Colleges and universities have big budgets to run the operations and count on finance administrators to make sure that money is put to good use in the right areas like academic programs, buildings, and research. They project budgets and analyze costs to help schools put the resources in the best way that helps students. As public funding is constantly changing and more costs rise, administrators make sure the institution continues to operate as smoothly as possible.
Shifting Sands
Higher education is in a constant state of change. New ways to learn, new programs, new policies. Administrators find ways to adopt new technologies, meet the changing demographics of students, and address evolving governmental regulations. They help navigate the schools through the transitions while keeping their missions intact. Whether it’s a new program to meet the demand of an emerging field, or adopting new online technologies, administrators help make it happen.
Advancing in Higher Education Administration
A master’s degree in higher education administration can open doors to leadership roles, but for those looking to move into top administrative positions, earning a doctoral degree can provide a significant advantage. Many high-ranking administrators, such as provosts, deans, and university presidents, hold doctoral degrees, which prepare them for complex decision-making, policy development, and institutional leadership.
For professionals looking to continue advancing in higher education, pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership can be the next step toward shaping the future of colleges and universities at the highest levels.
Why It Matters
Without strong leadership, colleges and universities can't function well. Administrators shape the student experience and handle resources to ensure schools meet their goals. A growing need for skilled administrators exists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average growth in jobs for post-secondary administrators through 2033, with a median pay of $102,610.
Does a career in higher ed administration interest you?
UTRGV's Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration prepares you to handle these responsibilities. With courses in leadership, policy, and resource management, you'll gain the skills to make a difference. It’s fully online, and you can graduate in as little as 10 months.
Source:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm?
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