As a senior/cabinet level officer of your institution, the expectation from your president and your board is that while representing your particular division, you are also able to effectively contribute in all other institutional areas, as well as articulate the challenges and goals facing your institution and the larger academic market.

Below is a broad overview of important institutional metrics in Academic Affairs.  As a senior/cabinet level officer, it is key to be familiar with:

• The number of full and part time faculty
• The number of tenured faculty with a terminal degree
• The student/faculty teaching ratio
• The number of faculty on the tenure track
• The top academic areas—either by major or by research dollars or by faculty prominence
• The total research dollars that come into the institution
• Teaching load for faculty
• Current curriculum designs or changes that are under consider by the faculty
• Your institution’s last accreditation and status as reported by the accrediting agency
• The overall academic standards of your students—average SAT scores, high school rank
• Study abroad/experiential learning programs offered at the institution

“At The Cabinet Level” is the first installment of SJG’s Tips Series, a periodic blog series offering tips on higher education executive search, leadership, and career development.  Each series will address a particular topic or area of higher ed.  To follow the “At The Cabinet Level” series on Twitter, use the hashtag #SJG_Cabinet_Tips.