Abstract
This essay offers a balanced and candid reflection on the challenges and opportunities of academic administration during a period of economic constraint and institutional change. Framed around the dual themes of “good news” and “bad news,” the analysis situates administrative work within broader systemic shifts in higher education, including the transition from a growth economy to one of fiscal limitation, the persistence of adversarial faculty–administration relationships, and the increasing bureaucratization and unionization of academic life. Despite these impediments, the author identifies countervailing developments such as the growing recognition of communication’s central role in education, the expanding availability of professional development resources, and the enduring value of integrity and competence. The essay argues that successful administrators must accept limited resources and political complexities while maintaining optimism, adaptability, and service orientation. It concludes that administration remains a rewarding endeavor for those motivated by commitment to institutional progress and the advancement of communication as a discipline.
Recommended Citation
Bostrom, Robert N.
(1986)
"So You Want to Be an Administrator,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 58, Article 4.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol58/iss1/4
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