I once worked at a university that was complacent about its position among the nation’s institutions. Everyone seemed to assume that this private institution was exceptional, from the president and board of trustees to some of the academics, concerned citizens, and alumni. Every institution, in my opinion, should have a spirit of achievement and quality, but it must be realistic. If it is not, you will continue to believe that your company is succeeding, despite all signals pointing to serious problems.

What Happens When Universities Live in a Fantasy World?

The CEO is the person in charge of defining the reality of any firm. Who will be truthful and honest about the company’s current state of functioning if they are not? The president and board of trustees of the university I described before portrayed an image of a highly successful institution, but nothing could be farther from the reality. The graduation rate was 18%, the students admitted were unprepared for college-level work, and the living halls were infested with mildew and rodents.

I left that institution almost Five years ago, and while there are signs of progress, there is still a ways away to go. The community and alumni are being sold the same old package of products by the new president, while the graduation rate remains unchanged. Every time I remember the issue, it makes me sad because the university has a long and illustrious past that is being sullied. All because the institution’s prior and current leaders established a fantasy-based reality, leading stakeholders to assume that the institution is already performing at its best.

The university in question is a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Research on the Historically Black Colleges And Universities’ present financial and accrediting conditions. You will discover that they cannot afford to sustain the mistakes of their presidents and trustee boards. Because many colleges have collapsed in the previous three decades and will close in the future decades, these institutions require and deserve leaders who will explain reality honestly rather than portraying a beautiful picture of the current situation.

Concluding Thoughts

If they remain ignorant about the situation, there will be no HBCUs in the United States in around 50 years. They will be relics of a less civilized era, ejected without reason due to their ignorance and carelessness. They will ultimately fail the same individuals they were supposed to protect and improve.