Higher education faces unprecedented challenges: technological disruption, demographic shifts, funding pressures, political polarization, and declining public trust. Traditional leadership models often fall short in this environment. This book addresses the urgent need for senior leaders to harness collective efficacy as a catalyst for institutional transformation, offering a research-based framework and practical tools tailored to the complexities of higher education. This book posits that collective efficacy— the shared belief in a group’s joint capabilities to organize and execute the actions required for institutional success—is the missing ingredient for sustainable transformation in higher education. Drawing on Albert Bandura’s foundational research, it demonstrates how senior leadership teams can intentionally cultivate collective efficacy to unlock potential, dismantle silos, amplify strategic initiatives, and foster a resilient, adaptive institutional culture. The book provides practical insights and actionable strategies for leaders to move their institutions beyond incremental reform toward true, transformative change.

Mary Oling-Sisay is Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at California State University San Marcos, USA, where she provides senior leadership for academic strategy, enrollment planning, fiscal stewardship, faculty development, and institutional transformation.