Suzan Brinker, PhD
Founder & CEO
The Book
The Urgent Need For Strategic Leadership in Higher Education Pass / Fail
Real Tools, Strategies, and Hope for the Future of Higher Ed
Pass / Fail is brought to you by Suzan Brinker, PhD, Viv’s co-founder and CEO.
From the Author
“My hope for the book is simple: no more higher education administrator fatigue! You are about to be reminded of why you got into this work in the first place and feel like one of the luckiest people around for getting to shape higher ed’s future.”
Higher education has arrived at a crossroads. Demographic changes, a significant student mental health crisis, and AI are just a few factors that will disrupt the industry as we know it in the next decade and beyond. Either colleges and universities figure out how to evolve alongside student needs, technology, and the labor market, or they continue to fall behind due to archaic and unenterprising processes and cultures.
What’s at stake is the loss of many institutions who have facilitated social mobility, personal growth, and more connected and meaningful lives for a century or more.
How each individual institution navigates these headwinds will depend almost entirely on the quality of its leadership. Higher ed administrators can no longer afford to just be subject matter experts in their own areas and perpetuate the silos that are so common in academia. They must understand how to connect academic product strategy, brand, enrollment, philanthropy, and culture to drive entrepreneurial initiatives and change.
It is those key areas of strategic leadership that Pass/Fail centers on. Written by seasoned higher ed strategist and marketer Dr. Suzan Brinker, the book is at once inspiring and practical, combining personal narrative with case studies from leaders at liberal arts colleges, large private universities, and public research institutions.
Praise for Pass / Fail
Suzan provides a thoughtful and engaging guide on navigating the challenges of higher education enrollment. From understanding the big picture to exploring innovative strategies, she offers valuable insights for any institution looking to attract and support a diverse student body. It’s an essential read for anyone passionate about making higher education more inclusive and effective.”
Gil Rogers
Founder of GR7 Marketing and Higher Ed Fractional CMO
Higher ed needs real tools and real talk to strategize effectively. Pass/Fail helps us do both at a time of urgent need.”
Karlyn Crowley
Provost of Ohio Wesleyan University
Suzan Brinker, through her candid firsthand accounts of leading and supporting higher education institutions of all types, draws us a roadmap for creating strategic plans and differentiated brands at colleges and universities. I particularly love the book’s emphasis on continual student feedback loops, creating a sense of belonging for learners, and making collaborative decisions in an industry dotted with silos but desperate for a new path forward. Pass/Fail offers us several stepping stones on that vital path, reigniting in its readers a belief that we can, indeed, honor our institutions’ storied pasts while moving headlong toward a bold new future. Thought-provoking, practical, candid, insightful, and validating, Pass/Fail is a must-read for higher education employees up, down, and across the organizational chart.”
Kate Colbert
Higher Education Marketing Consultant, Leadership Coach, and Author of Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education
Every leader in higher ed needs this book! For institutions to persist over time, clear differentiation is a must, and Suzan shows us exactly how to achieve it. Using a mix of real-world examples and personal experiences in the field, Suzan taps into why we fell in love with higher education in the first place, why it still matters, and how institutions will be stronger for it. An absolute must-read!”
Vanessa Bush
Award-Winning Author and Customer Success Manager at PeopleGrove
Who is this book for?
This book is for higher education administrators, staff, faculty, and anyone else working at and with colleges and universities who wants to help their institution evolve into a community that understands its magic and uses that power to grow impact and enrollments.
Higher Education Administrators
Find strategic insights for navigating challenges like technological disruption and demographic shifts, aiding you in effective institutional management.
University Faculty and Academics
Build a deeper understanding of broader institutional challenges and opportunities, enriching your teaching methods and engagement with students.
Educational Policy Makers
Get an insider’s view of the evolving landscape of higher education to help you inform policy decisions that can shape the future of education.
Marketing Professionals in Higher Education
Gain insights into effective branding and enrollment strategies in a competitive educational market.
Leaders of Online Education Platforms
Unearth valuable perspectives on the future of online learning and strategies for integrating technology in education.
Education Consultants
Get a comprehensive view of higher education challenges and strategies, aiding you in offering informed advice to educational institutions.
Graduate Students in Education Programs
Access a nuanced understanding of the field you’re entering, preparing you for future roles in educational leadership.
Prospective College Students and Parents
Get a broader view of the higher education landscape, helping you make informed choices about college education.
International Education Professionals
Gather insights into the global dynamics of higher education, valuable for professionals working with international students or programs.
Non-Profit Organizations Focused on Education
The case studies and tools will be insightful for your initiatives, especially those aimed at inclusivity and accessibility in education.