Many campuses across the country will begin the 2025–2026 academic year with new leaders in key positions. If you’re starting a new chapter of your professional life in the coming weeks, you recognize that the work starts long before your official start date. Here are three best practices of things you should do before you ever set foot in your new office:   

  1. Consider your vision. Do careful research into the current and past efforts of your new college. What is going well? Where are there challenges? What opportunities could be capitalized on? Invest time in reflection and thoughtful planning.
  2. Identify your partners. You will not achieve results on your own.  Who are the vital players at every level of an institution? Recognize internal and external stakeholders and cultivate positive relationships from the beginning.
  3. Clarify your expectations. It’s normal—and healthy—to come in to a position with energy and enthusiasm to get a lot done. Remind yourself that one of your most essential tasks in your first 100 days is to listen and learn. You may need to reign in and realign your goals for your initial few months to ensure the long-term efficacy of all you undertake.