Scholar, Steward, Spanner, Stranger: The Four Career Paths of College Presidents

Would recruiting presidential candidates from nontraditional sources increase the gender and ethnic diversity of college presidents? Based on data from American Council on Education surveys, this study develops four career trajectories to the presidency and how they are related to the demographic and professional backgrounds of presidential incumbents in different types of institutions. The study suggests how presidential aspirants and higher educational institutions may increase the gender and ethnic diversity of the pool from which successful; applicants are selected.