The Transition Academy: Seizing Opportunity in the Age of Disruption

In this small book about big possibilities, Larry Lauer offers advancement professionals a primer for rethinking what to do and how best to do it, and for considering the exciting new career possibilities now possible with the revolutionary changes in the higher education sector. Disruptive changes in the core business model require all areas of educational advancement to help lead the way forward. But to seize this potential Lauer argues, advancement professionals must resist previous tendencies to work in isolation from within internal silos. To make the most of these opportunities advancement leaders must keep the following factors in mind: Big change is inevitable, with both good and bad effects for education Media revolutions change everything but in surprising ways Cutbacks by governments require a rethinking of institutional core business Advancement must become better integrated to lead the academy forward Clarifying the institution s competitive advantage is vital to its future success The right organizational structure is crucial, but there is not one ideal model Becoming an effective leader requires passion, political savvy and preparation Effective strategic communication is an essential first step.

Larry D. Lauer is vice chancellor emeritus at Texas Christian University and senior fellow in the Bob Schieffer College of Journalism at TCU. He is also a senior fellow in the John V. Roach Honors College at TCU and adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. Lauer became the first vice chancellor for marketing and communication at TCU in 2000, and the first vice chancellor for government affairs in 2009. Lauer has lectured and/or consulted in more than 18 countries. He is the 2012 recipient of the Frank L. Ashmore Award for Service to CASE and the Advancement Profession.