Building Trust

How administrators and the faculty can work together productively

Building trust between college leaders and faculty members can be difficult even in ordinary times, but higher education continues to face an extraordinary set of challenges. 

Faculty are increasingly worried that college leaders are guiding their institutions in the wrong direction. Administrators, meanwhile, are up against external political attacks, budget cuts, and a looming student demographic cliff. Fostering trust on campus has never been more critical — or more fragile.

This report offers essential guidance for forging stronger, more productive relationships.

Author Lee Gardner, a senior writer at The Chronicle with years of experience covering leadership and administrator-faculty dynamics, brings insights from interviews with sources at a wide variety of institutions. Whether you're an administrator or a faculty leader, this report provides practical advice on building trust, communicating, and decision-making.

In this issue brief, readers will:

• Gain practical tips for communicating and decision-making.
• Understand when and how to weigh in on controversial topics.
• Learn how to announce bad news and navigate conflict.
• See how to build a shared-governance model that makes sense for your campus. 
  

Date: July 2025
Pages: 42
Digital file size:  4.18 MB

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