The State Higher Education Executive Officer and the Public Good

While issues of higher education access, opportunity, and impact are hotly debated on the floors of Congress and in state legislatures, it is the state’s higher education executive officer (SHEEO) who is expected to be an innovative policymaker, an astute political actor, an all-seeing fortune-teller, and a rapid problem-solver. These professionals must achieve a balancing act between political agendas and academic freedom while ensuring that the institutions they represent are maximizing their contribution to the larger public good and preparing students to become contributing citizens. In this volume, scholars and practitioners come together to explore the position of the SHEEO. Chapters present historical investigations, original research, and reflections and advice for current and aspiring SHEEOs, their agency staff and boards, state policy leaders, and students of state policymaking and higher education. Each chapter ends with recommendations for the continuing study of, and attention to, the important role of the SHEEO.

Book Features:

• An entire volume solely dedicated to SHEEOs—the individuals responsible for state higher education policy coordination and leadership.
• Contributions from renowned scholars from higher education, public policy, political science, and public administration, as well as seasoned SHEEOs.
• Practical advice, high quality and original empirical investigations, and theoretical considerations related to state higher education leadership and governance.
• A new research agenda with ideas for potential projects outlined at the end of each chapter.

David A. Tandberg is vice president for policy research and strategic initiatives at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Brian A. Sponsler is vice president of policy at Education Commission of the States. Randall W. Hanna is the dean and chief executive officer of Florida State University Panama City. Jason P. Guilbeau is a doctoral candidate in the higher education program at Florida State University.

"This book delivers tremendous information, perspective, and future direction for research in higher education leadership and policy."

—Teachers College Record

“It is only through a better understanding of SHEEOs and the myriad of challenges they face that we can truly begin to comprehend and appreciate the complexity of our higher education systems….This book is a large step forward to increasing this comprehension. (It) includes practical advice, empirical investigations, and theoretical considerations, all about and directed to the SHEEO. I welcome this volume and consider it far past due.”
—From the Foreword by Robert E. Anderson, president, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association

“This book is an invaluable resource for state higher education policymakers, scholars, and students. It fills a gap in available literature on the history of state higher education executive officers and guidance for the role of SHEEO agencies in the future. The authors include nationally recognized authorities as well as practitioners with long, successful experience in the difficult challenge of state higher education policy leadership and coordination.”
—Aims C. McGuinness Jr., senior fellow, NCHEMS, Boulder, Colorado

“This book clearly captures the complex role of the SHEEO: vision setter, policy developer, student advocate, collaborator, implementer, and more. It should be required reading for all who have the honor to sit in the SHEEO chair and those who aspire to do so effectively.”
—Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education in Louisiana

Table of Contents

Foreword by Robert E. Anderson

Introduction by David A. Tandberg, Brian A. Sponsler, Randall W. Hanna, and Jason P. Guilbeau

PART I. SHEEOS IN CONTEXT: DEVELOPING A BASE OF UNDERSTANDING

Chapter 1. The Origins and Evolving Roles of State Higher Education Executives in American Higher Education
   Paul E. Lingenfelter

Chapter 2. The SHEEO and the Public Good
   Neal Holly

Chapter 3. State Leadership for Student Success 
   Richard G. Rhoda and Kristen C. Linthicum

Chapter 4. Letter to a New SHEEO 
   Thomas D. Layzell

PART II. WHERE WE ARE: CONTEMPORARY STRUCTURES, POLICIES, AND POLITICS

Chapter 5. The State Higher Education Executive Officer and Higher Education Finance and Policy 
   Alicia Kinne-Clawson and William M. Zumeta

Chapter 6. The Role of the SHEEO and the Board in Changes in Higher Education Governance 
   Randall W. Hanna and Jason P. Guilbeau

Chapter 7. The SHEEO and Intermediary Organizations 
   Erik C. Ness, James C. Hearn, and Paul G. Rubin

Chapter 8. Politics and Presidents 
   Tracey Bark and Alisa Hicklin Fryar

PART III. WHAT’S NEXT: NEW WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT THE SHEEO

Chapter 9. Modern Era Trends in State Higher Education Coordination, Governance, and Alternatives for the Future 
   Brian A. Sponsler and Mary Fulton

Chapter 10. Theoretical Perspectives on the SHEEO 
   David A. Tandberg and Jacob T. Fowles

Chapter 11. Data, Measures, Methods, and the Study of the SHEEO 
   T. Austin Lacy and David A. Tandberg

Final Thoughts
   David A. Tandberg, Brian A. Sponsler, Randall W. Hanna, and Jason P. Guilbeau

About the Editors and Contributors 

Index