Long-term service as a president at the same institution can be energizing and empowering, said three veteran presidents during a session entitled “A ‘Second Presidency’ at the Same Institution.” But effectiveness over the long run requires substantial internal and external support, said Esther L. Barazzone, president of Chatham College (PA) since 1992; James A. Davis, president of Shenandoah University (VA) since 1982; and Theodore E. Long, president of Elizabethtown College (PA) since 1997.

The most recent ACE survey of presidents indicates that the average duration of presidencies at smaller private institutions is more than eight years.

Barazzone said that seasoned presidents tend to be more confident, and thereby empowered to lead an institution in a promising but dramatically new direction; over time presidents develop a tight-knit net of established relationships with all college constituencies. Barazzone also pointed out that opportunities for personal growth increase over time.

“Presidencies,” Long asserted, “are not linear or seamless; instead, they develop in distinct stages.” In his case, the stages have been defined by emphases on planning, infrastructure, and finally institutional identity-building and program distinction. “Don’t stay,” Long said, “if no big challenge is left to be tackled; but staying can be energizing and offer valuable learning experiences.”

Emphasizing the role of family and external advisers to make a long tenure at the same institution work, Davis said that strong family support is essential. “The entire presidential family needs to be satisfied with settling in for the long-run.”

And all three panelists agreed that external advisors, preferably seasoned college presidents as coaches, are invaluable sources of input to allow a president to move successfully from one stage of tenure to the next.