In this article, we’ll look at the best practices for onboarding your new University President. We’ll look at the employee onboarding process/steps you can add to your own reusable University President checklist.
Need help with onboarding new Education team members? See the templates and resources we recommend for successful onboarding experiences.
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Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new University President starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Education onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new University President, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample University President onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
1. Orientation: The new university president should undergo a comprehensive orientation program to familiarize themselves with the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic goals. This task is typically performed by the Human Resources department, along with senior executives and board members.
2. Introduction to key stakeholders: The president should be introduced to key stakeholders, including faculty members, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders. This task is usually coordinated by the president’s office, in collaboration with the public relations or communications department.
3. Review of governance structure: The new president should receive a detailed overview of the university’s governance structure, including the board of trustees, faculty senate, and other decision-making bodies. This task is typically performed by the president’s office, in collaboration with the board of trustees and legal department.
4. Review of financials: The president should review the university’s financial statements, budget, and funding sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the institution’s financial health. This task is usually performed by the finance department, in collaboration with the president’s office.
5. Assessment of academic programs: The president should assess the quality and relevance of the university’s academic programs, including curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes. This task is typically performed by the provost’s office, in collaboration with academic deans and faculty members.
6. Evaluation of institutional policies and procedures: The president should review and evaluate the university’s policies and procedures, including those related to admissions, student affairs, human resources, and research. This task is usually performed by the president’s office, in collaboration with relevant departments and committees.
7. Engagement with external stakeholders: The president should engage with external stakeholders, such as government officials, industry leaders, and community organizations, to build relationships and foster partnerships. This task is typically performed by the president’s office, in collaboration with the public relations or government relations department.
8. Development of a strategic plan: The president should lead the development of a strategic plan that outlines the university’s goals, priorities, and initiatives for the coming years. This task is usually performed by the president’s office, in collaboration with senior executives, faculty, and staff.
9. Communication with the university community: The president should communicate regularly with the university community through various channels, such as town hall meetings, newsletters, and social media, to keep them informed and engaged. This task is typically performed by the president’s office, in collaboration with the communications or public relations department.
10. Building a leadership team: The president should assemble a strong leadership team, including vice presidents, deans, and other key executives, to support the university’s mission and strategic goals. This task is typically performed by the president’s office, in collaboration with the human resources department and relevant search committees.
11. Development of fundraising strategies: The president should work with the development or advancement office to develop and implement fundraising strategies to secure financial support for the university’s programs, scholarships, and capital projects. This task is typically performed by the president’s office, in collaboration with the development or advancement department.
12. Continuous professional development: The president should engage in continuous professional development activities, such as attending conferences, workshops, and seminars, to stay updated on emerging trends and best practices in higher education leadership. This task is typically performed by the president, with support from the president’s office and the board of trustees.
Overall, these onboarding tasks aim to provide the new university president with a comprehensive understanding of the institution, its stakeholders, and its strategic priorities, enabling them to effectively lead and advance the organization in the education industry
From reading through the items in the example University President checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new University President up to speed and working well in your Education team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.
