James H. Finkelstein

Aug 5, 2024 | insidehighered.com | Tim Gibson |Bethany Letiecq |James H. Finkelstein

You have /5 articles left. Sign up for a free account or log in. UCG /Universal Images Group/Getty ImagesPublic universities increasingly are targets of political interference. At our institution, George Mason University, we’re observing a highly politicized transformation of the governing board that we fear may soon be coming to a public university near you.

Jul 22, 2024 | tampabay.com | Judith A. Wilde |James H. Finkelstein

Ben Sasse’s decision to step down as the University of Florida president after just 17 months must have shocked the community. Unlike some of his former political colleagues who have left jobs to “spend more time with their families” — typically for unspecified reasons — Sasse has been transparent in sharing his commitment to his wife as she faces serious health challenges. He takes his vow of “in sickness and in health” seriously. We wish them only the best.

Sep 11, 2023 | chronicle.com | James H. Finkelstein |Judith A. Wilde

When Amy Gutmann stepped down as president of the University of Pennsylvania, in 2022, after 18 years on the job, she left, as many presidents do, with a large payout — in her case, $23 million. The vast majority of that, more than $20 million, came in the form of deferred compensation, money beyond her regular salary that had been set aside over the years for tax benefits. Deferred compensation is just one of the many presidential perks that have made headlines over the past couple of decades.

May 15, 2023 | highereddive.com | James H. Finkelstein

This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. James Finkelstein served as the founding vice dean of the School of Public Policy at George Mason University, in Virginia, where he is now Professor Emeritus of Public Policy. Less than a day after George Mason University announced Gov. Glenn Younkin as its spring commencement speaker, a graduating senior launched an online petition demanding the administration ensure the official would not speak or attend the ceremony.

Feb 22, 2023 | chronicle.com | Judith A. Wilde |James H. Finkelstein

Executive-search firms have all but taken over the process of hiring presidents in higher education. Fifty years ago, almost every institution conducted its own leadership search on its own. Now, our research shows, at least 92 percent of colleges and universities hire a search firm when looking for a new president. Regardless of the arguments for or against hiring an executive recruiter, it is the norm. But their ubiquity doesn’t mean people know what to look for in a search firm.