Postsecondary Administration

Postsecondary institutions are internally self-governing and autonomous in respect of all academic issues. The administrative heads of postsecondary institutions are usually called presidents and sometimes chancellors (the latter term is common in multi-campus systems). The president or chancellor is appointed by the governing board and is considered the administrative head of the institution or system. He or she is not necessarily an academic, since the role of president is similar to that of a CEO in other corporations. Academic leadership is normally provided by a person or persons titled dean, provost, or vice-president for academic affairs. This arrangement reflects the fact that the faculty are employees of the institution (corporation) in the United States, and their status is that of expert specialists. There is no U.S. leadership position directly comparable to the concept of a rector in other higher education systems.

General Information

General resources on postsecondary administration include:

American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) is a general professional association for persons involved in the management of U.S. higher education.

Council of Higher Education Management Associations (CHEMA) is a national coalition of professional associations representing different aspects of college and university administration.

ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges provides comprehensive information and reference assistance on all aspects of the organization and administration of U.S. community colleges.

American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) is a broad policy organization representing institutions, researchers, organizations, and individuals interested in all aspects of postsecondary education.

Institutional Leadership

For information on institutional governing boards, go to Institutions as Corporations.

American Council on Education (ACE) is a national policy association representing the CEOs and other chief officials of U.S. colleges and universities.

Other Institutional Services

U.S. postsecondary institutions must provide themselves with the administrative and support services that in many countries are provided by ministries and local governments, and must also ensure that student needs are taken care of. The latter is important because many U.S. campuses house residential student populations and also accommodate students with special needs.

Academic Libraries

Association of College and Research Librarians (ACRL) is the national professional association for librarians working in college and university settings.

Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a specialized association representing large research libraries at doctorate-granting universities.

Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a professional association for librarians who specialize in specific academic and professional subject matter and who manage specialized libraries and research collections.

Institutional Business Management

Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (AHEFO) is the national association for managers of buildings and physical facilities on college and university campuses.

Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is a national association for persons involved in institutional development and marketing, fund-raising, and alumni relations.

National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) is the national professional association for institutional business managers and chief financial officers.

Student Admissions and Records

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers is the national professional association for directors of admissions and the registrars who maintain acadmic records and certify course, program, and degree completions, including the recognition of academic credit earned abroad.

National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals (AGAP) is a professional association for admissions personnel and educational advisors who specialize in graduate and professional school admissions.

National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) is a professional association for admissions personnel, secondary school advisors, and education consultants who specialize in undergraduate admissions.

National Association for College Admissions Counselling (NACAC) is a professional association of persons providing undergraduate higher education admissions advising to graduating secondary school students and students entering postsecondary studies.

Student Counseling

College and University Personnel Association (CUPA) is the national association for student counseling professionals at the postsecondary level.

American College Counseling Association (ACCA) is an association of counselors specializing in student development work at the postsecondary level.

American College Personnel Association (ACPA) is an association of professionals who administer student affairs services and supervise student organizations.

Student Housing

Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO) is the national association for persons who manage residential dormitories, apartments, and off-campus housing and related services.

International Student Advising

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the national professional association for persons who counsel and advise foreign students who come to the United States and American students who plan to study abroad. Foreign student and study abroad advisers manage international programs and exchanges and work with admissions officers and other academic officials on the placement of foreign students and the recognition of academic credit earned abroad.

Institutional Legal Counsel

National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) is the national association representing the general counsels, staff attorneys, and legal advisors of U.S. postsecondary institutions.