Abstract
This reflective case study explores the dynamics of institutional and personal change through the author’s experience as a department and divisional chair at a small private liberal arts college. The narrative traces the evolution of administrative responsibility amid shifting institutional structures, financial constraints, and demographic transformation in higher education during the late twentieth century. The analysis highlights how external forces—such as economic pressures, federal funding fluctuations, and changing student populations—interact with internal developments in curriculum design, faculty composition, and organizational restructuring. Central to the argument is the necessity for adaptability: effective administration requires balancing planning and leadership within fluid systems while maintaining academic integrity and faculty engagement. The essay concludes with a recognition that administrative success depends on alignment between personal leadership style and institutional culture. Ultimately, the text frames educational administration as a process of continuous negotiation between stability and change, underscoring the importance of self-awareness, institutional insight, and flexibility.
Recommended Citation
Platt, Richard W.
(1986)
"So You Want to Be an Administrator? Be Prepared for Change,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 58, Article 5.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol58/iss1/5
