Every president, provost, and cabinet officer eventually moves on. The question that separates truly strategic institutions from reactive ones is whether the answer to “who’s next?” is already taking shape—or whether the search begins from scratch when a resignation letter lands on the board chair’s desk. At Hyatt-Fennell Executive Search, we believe that the most mission-driven institutions treat succession not as an emergency measure, but as an ongoing act of institutional stewardship. Here are three ways colleges and universities can build intentional leadership pipelines before they need them.

  1. Create Stretch Opportunities, Not Just Titles. The future provost sitting in your dean’s office will not be ready for the role if their experience has been limited to their own college. Rotate emerging leaders into cross-divisional task forces, board-adjacent committees, and interim responsibilities that force them to think institutionally—not departmentally. Readiness is built in the doing, not in the title.
  2. Invest in Formal Leadership Development. Many of higher education’s most capable academic leaders have never received a single hour of formal executive coaching. Institutions that send their high-potential leaders to leadership forums, executive education programs, or confidential coaching relationships are making a direct investment in their own stability. At Hyatt-Fennell, our leadership coaching services exist precisely for this purpose.
  3. Partner With a Search Firm Before You Need a Search. The best time to build a relationship with an executive search firm is long before a vacancy exists. At Hyatt-Fennell, we regularly consult with presidents and boards on pipeline health, internal talent assessment, and succession readiness. When you already know your landscape, a transition becomes a moment of intentional momentum—not institutional anxiety.

The institutions that will thrive in the decade ahead are those building their next generation of leaders right now. Reach out to the Hyatt-Fennell team to start that conversation today.