Presidents of institutions around the globe are facing challenges that have never before been encountered, or experienced, to this magnitude. This includes, but is not limited to: managing budgets during times of economic crises; imposed government policies that were nonexistent in prior years, shifting public trust in higher education, introductions of tools (e.g., AI) that are altering how institutions teach, how students learn, and the production and application of new knowledge.
This book spotlights 13 university leaders from institutions across Australia, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Georgia, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These institutions range from small to large, public to private, and nonprofit to for-profit. Readers who are current university presidents (or aspiring to be) will (1) read of the authors experiences as president, challenges they faced, introspection about their abilities, and (2) acquire tools they can immediately apply to their own situations/campuses/lives.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: The History, Origin, and Motivation for this Book
Chapter 2: Amine Bensaid – President, Al Akhawayn University, Morocco
Chapter 3: Tim Brailsford – Vice-Chancellor & President, Bond University, Australia
Chapter 4: Sabur Khan – President, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
Chapter 5: Fernando León García – President, CETYS University, Mexico
Chapter 6: Ricardo Mairal Usón – Rector, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain
Chapter 7: Gonzalo Mendieta – Rector, Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador
Chapter 8: Juan Camilo Montoya – President, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, Colombia
Chapter 9: Tomás D. Morales – President, California State University, San Bernardino, USA
Chapter 10: Letlhokwa Mpedi – Vice-Chancellor & Principal, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Chapter 11: Thandwa Mthembu – Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Durban University of Technology, South
Africa
Chapter 12: Edward Peck – President, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
Chapter 13: Kakha Shengelia – President, Caucasus University, Georgia
Chapter 14: Ichiro Tanioka – President, Osaka University of Commerce, Japan
About the Author :
Devorah A. Lieberman, PhD, is an internationally recognized higher education leader, scholar, and advisor whose career has been defined by institutional transformation, inclusive excellence, and global engagement. A former university president and current senior advisor to higher education leaders worldwide, she brings rare depth as both a practitioner and analyst of presidential leadership across cultural, political, and organizational contexts.Lieberman served for twelve years as President of the University of La Verne in California, where she led the institution through significant growth, financial strengthening, and expanded global and community partnerships. Under her leadership, the university nearly doubled its operating budget, quadrupled its endowment, and gained national recognition for social mobility and student success—outcomes achieved during a period marked by demographic shifts, financial pressures, and unprecedented global disruption. She was the first woman to serve as president in the university’s long history.
Beyond the U.S., Lieberman has worked extensively with presidents, governing boards, and ministries of education across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. She currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) and as a Senior Advisor to the American Council on Education, roles that place her at the center of global conversations about presidential leadership, governance, crisis management, and institutional resilience.
A former faculty member and trained intercultural communication scholar, Lieberman’s work bridges theory and practice. Her research, teaching, and writing focus on leadership in complex systems, cross-cultural decision-making, gender and power, and the evolving role of the university president in a volatile global environment. She is the author and editor of multiple books on presidential leadership, including Spotlighting Female Leadership: Strategies, Stories, Perspectives, and her work is widely used by presidents, governing boards, and leadership development programs worldwide.
Lieberman holds a PhD in Intercultural Communication and Gerontology from the University of Florida and has received numerous honors for her leadership, including national and international recognition for advancing access, equity, and institutional excellence.
Drawing on decades of experience as a president, advisor, and global observer, Lieberman writes with clarity, candor, and credibility about what it truly means to lead universities in an interconnected world. healthcare, and corporate sectors. Her services encompass strategic visioning, philanthropy, crisis management, government relations, board development and governance, and executive coaching.
Review :
Guided by Principle, Driven by Change is an inspiring collection that brings the perspectives of college and university presidents from around the world to bear on the most urgent questions facing higher education. The volume offers comparative insights into how purpose and courage translate into transformative institutional practice around the globe and moreover, juxtaposes the voices of women and men leaders distilling distinct challenges and tactics. It is a terrific resource for current presidents, aspiring leaders, and boards who seek to learn across contexts the concrete, values-based strategies for marshalling colleges and universities through profound change.
This prescient book provides a global wide perspective on the thinking and strategies of university leaders during an unprecedented moment of fiscal, demographic and political challenges. This anthology is an important addition to the leadership literature in higher education.
This is a timely and much-needed book. At a moment when higher education leaders are navigating unprecedented policy pressures, financial constraints, and heightened public scrutiny, the guidance offered here could not be more relevant. Through compelling vignettes and thoughtful reflections, this publication provides practical, experience-grounded advice for both new and seasoned university presidents across the globe. Its insights, particularly around leadership, resilience, and gender dynamics, offer not only wisdom, but reassurance and clarity during a critical time for our institutions. This is a resource that will support presidents in leading with purpose and integrity while building a legacy that truly endures.
This book inspired me. As a leader of a global education association with members in 80 countries, I have long held that we are more connected across higher education than divided. Guided by Principle, Driven by Change reinforces that belief through its fascinating look at strategies and approaches that have helped leaders become more effective, and, more importantly, better stewards of their institutions. I appreciate the fresh look at commonalities and differences between male and female leaders. While we all bring unique demographic characteristics and life experiences to our roles, at the end of the day our success is determined by our commitment to students, our engagement with communities, and our ability to enthusiastically champion our institutions which have transformational impact upon society locally and globally.
