| The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the internal and external forces driving the lived transition experience of a college president who primarily gained professional experience outside of higher education. This qualitative study was designed as a single case study comprised of one nontraditional president and constructed on the basis of personal narrative, archival data, and accounts of perceptions of trustees, faculty, and senior administrators at the president's home institution.; Three predominant themes emerged from the data: financial crisis, leadership style, and institutional turmoil. The university faced a number of serious financial difficulties at the time the new president took office. Her leadership style facilitated structural changes that enabled the institution to come out of its financial calamity. Institutional turmoil was a result of mistrust, a mixed mission, and weak identity.; Considering the state of the institution at the time the nontraditional president was hired, her financial skills and business knowledge were a good fit to meet the needs of the university. As a result of the unique situation in this case, the president did not experience a typical transition period as defined in the literature. The financial crisis propelled her into immediate action. |
