1st Edition

Ten Steps Toward Greater Operational Efficiency in Higher Education An Administrator Playbook

Edited By Carlos Gooden, Mike Hoffshire Copyright 2026
168 Pages 9 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

168 Pages 9 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Featuring a diverse cohort of seasoned leaders in higher education, this book outlines a flexible, ten-step framework for achieving operational efficiency and building a robust internal infrastructure across any functional area within an institution.

The framework identifies ten essential components for creating an effective, student-centered, and equitable functional area: navigating change and context, data, budgeting, strategic planning, day-to-day operations, university policy and procedure, organizational staffing, training and development, communication and collaboration, and strategic enrollment management. Each chapter examines one of these components while providing practical steps for implementation and equipping leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to foster positive change within their roles.

Whether an emerging leader or a senior professional, this text is designed to support all higher education directors, deans, provosts, and division leaders in their administrative goals.

    1. Navigating Context and Change

    Carlos Gooden and Mike Hoffshire

    2. Harnessing and Leveraging Data as a Leader in Higher Education

    Erica Ogburn and Jeremy Lane

    3. Aligning Resources: Understanding the Budget Process

    Emily Erwin

    4. Creating and Implementing a Strategic Plan

    Mike Hoffshire

    5. Knowing the Rules to Be Good at the Game: Understanding University Policy and Procedure

    Sonia Valencia

    6. Leadership in Day-to-Day Operations of Higher Education Administration

    Melvin (Jai) Jackson and Kevin McClain

    7. Navigating Organizational Structure, Roles, and Staffing Changes

    Tracy Pascua Dea

    8. Training and Development: The Keys to Building Successful and Sustainable Teams

    Nicole Caridad Ralston, Kevin Lewis, and Shawn Gaines

    9. Leading Through Effective Communication: Strategies for Collaboration

    Christy Heaton and Nick Fuselier

    10. Everyone Recruits, Everyone Retains

    Christian Alberto

    11. Conclusion

    Carlos Gooden and Mike Hoffshire

    Biography

    Carlos Gooden is Executive Director at the Marilyn Davies College of Business at the University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, USA.

    Mike Hoffshire is Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.