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Education Administrators, Postsecondary

SOC 11-9033.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full range of postsecondary education administration practice — from departmental operations, student advisement, and personnel management to executive strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and institutional governance in colleges and universities.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Student learning outcome data — collect and organize under supervisor guidance using institutional assessment tools in a postsecondary department.
  2. Departmental budget records — review and maintain supporting financial documentation under the direction of a senior administrator in a university setting.
  3. Academic policies and procedures — read, interpret, and apply existing institutional guidelines when responding to routine staff and faculty inquiries.
  4. Student advisement sessions — conduct structured one-on-one meetings to provide basic guidance on course selection and graduation progress within an established advising framework.
  5. Personnel activity logs — monitor and compile attendance and performance data for support staff under the oversight of a department chair.
  6. Institutional reports and strategic documents — read and summarize key findings to inform preliminary understanding of organizational priorities.
  7. Faculty and staff scheduling requests — coordinate and process event scheduling and transcript issuance tasks using campus enterprise resource planning software.
  8. Orientation program materials — assist in preparing and delivering new-student and new-staff orientation content under senior administrative direction.
  9. Word processing and cloud-based collaboration tools — draft routine administrative correspondence and meeting minutes in a higher education office environment.
  10. Candidate applicant pools — screen applications and assist with scheduling interviews as a supporting participant in departmental hiring processes.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Student learning assessments — design and administer formative evaluation instruments aligned to program outcomes, reporting results to academic leadership in a postsecondary department.
  2. Departmental personnel — recruit, interview, and onboard support staff with reduced oversight, following institutional human resources policies in a college or university setting.
  3. Financial records and budget reports — administer routine budget cycles, track expenditures against allocations, and prepare periodic financial summaries using accounting and ERP software.
  4. Staff performance activities — monitor and evaluate the day-to-day work of administrative support personnel, providing feedback in alignment with departmental goals.
  5. Student advisement caseload — manage a recurring caseload of students, offering guidance on academic progress, career planning, and institutional resources across a semester cycle.
  6. Operational procedures — identify gaps in existing department protocols and propose evidence-based modifications using operational and demographic data.
  7. Faculty support initiatives — coordinate instructional resource requests and assist faculty with course logistics, including technology tools and classroom scheduling, in an academic unit.
  8. Customer relationship management software — use CRM platforms to track student engagement, alumni relations, and departmental outreach activities in a higher education context.
  9. Strategic planning documents — contribute analytical sections to institutional planning reports, drawing on research literature and internal performance metrics.
  10. Staff training programs — develop and facilitate onboarding and professional development sessions for departmental employees using computer-based training tools.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Program-level learning outcome frameworks — design, implement, and continuously refine comprehensive assessment systems to monitor and improve student success across an academic department.
  2. Full personnel lifecycle — autonomously recruit, hire, develop, evaluate, and when necessary terminate faculty and staff in compliance with institutional policy and employment law.
  3. Departmental operations — direct and evaluate the full scope of administrative, academic, and support-staff activities within a postsecondary department or school.
  4. Complex student and advisement cases — resolve non-routine issues involving academic standing, grievances, and career transitions, applying advanced judgment in a university context.
  5. Multi-year departmental budgets — plan, administer, and control budget cycles, produce comprehensive financial reports, and align resource allocation with strategic priorities.
  6. Institutional strategic plans — formulate and lead the execution of multi-year strategic initiatives, integrating enrollment data, research outcomes, and accreditation requirements.
  7. Policy architecture — establish, revise, and communicate operational policies based on rigorous analysis of institutional demographics, compliance obligations, and performance research.
  8. Accreditation and compliance processes — lead self-study preparation, coordinate site visits, and ensure continuous quality improvement across program areas.
  9. Cross-functional technology ecosystems — configure and optimize integrated use of ERP, CRM, facilities management, and project management platforms to support institutional operations.
  10. Faculty instructional support — design professional development frameworks and teaching resources that enhance instructional quality across an academic division.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Institutional assessment culture — establish a division-wide philosophy and infrastructure for data-driven student learning assessment, influencing practice across all academic units of a postsecondary institution.
  2. Talent strategy and workforce planning — set the long-range human capital agenda for a college or university division, developing succession pipelines and inclusive hiring practices at organizational scale.
  3. Institutional leadership teams — direct, evaluate, and mentor senior administrators, department chairs, and deans, fostering a high-performance culture aligned with the institution's mission.
  4. Executive financial stewardship — provide oversight of multi-million-dollar institutional budgets, present financial strategy to boards and governing bodies, and drive fiscal sustainability.
  5. University-wide strategic vision — formulate and champion transformative strategic plans that reposition the institution in response to demographic shifts, technological change, and competitive landscape.
  6. Governance and policy systems — establish institution-level policies and shared governance frameworks that comply with accrediting bodies, state regulators, and federal requirements.
  7. External stakeholder and community partnerships — lead engagement with government agencies, industry partners, alumni networks, and philanthropic communities to advance institutional mission and resource development.
  8. Organizational change leadership — architect and guide large-scale change initiatives — such as academic reorganizations or new campus technologies — building broad coalition support across faculty and staff.
  9. Emerging educational models — identify, champion, and scale innovative instructional and operational approaches — including online and hybrid delivery — to expand access and improve outcomes institution-wide.
  10. Sector thought leadership — represent the institution at national conferences, publish in higher education policy forums, and shape field-wide discourse on postsecondary administration and student success.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted document drafting — uses an LLM to generate first drafts of memos, policy summaries, and student-facing communications, reviewing each output for accuracy before distribution Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Routine report generation — delegates the formatting and summarization of enrollment or budget data to an AI tool, then verifies figures against source records Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Student advising preparation — queries an AI assistant to surface degree-requirement details, course equivalency options, and career pathway information ahead of advising appointments, cross-checking outputs with institutional records Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Personnel process support — uses AI-generated templates for job postings, interview rubrics, and onboarding checklists, personalizing each document to departmental standards before use Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Meeting and agenda synthesis — directs an AI tool to condense lengthy faculty senate minutes or accreditation reports into structured summaries, retaining judgment over which items require action WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Assessment design acceleration — instructs an AI assistant to propose learning-outcome frameworks and rubric language aligned to program objectives, then critically evaluates and revises the outputs against institutional assessment policy Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Budget narrative drafting — hands off historical expenditure data and institutional priorities to an AI tool to produce draft budget justifications, then applies domain expertise to reconcile projections with actual resource constraints Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Multi-source policy research — orchestrates an AI workflow that aggregates regulatory guidance, peer-institution benchmarks, and internal data, synthesizing the results into a policy brief while supplying the contextual judgment the tool cannot Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Personnel evaluation scaffolding — uses AI-generated criteria matrices as a baseline for performance review instruments, auditing each criterion for alignment with collective-bargaining agreements and equity principles before deployment Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Strategic planning leadership with AI — directs AI agents through iterative scenario modeling of enrollment trends, budget trajectories, and workforce needs, integrating quantitative outputs with qualitative stakeholder insight to author institutional strategic plans Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI governance and adoption oversight — establishes department-level protocols governing acceptable AI use in academic administration, including data-privacy guardrails and human-review checkpoints, drawing on a critical understanding of where automation feasibility is high versus where human judgment is non-negotiable Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Cross-functional AI orchestration — coordinates AI-assisted workflows spanning admissions, curriculum review, financial planning, and alumni engagement, maintaining authorship of decisions while delegating well-scoped analytical tasks to AI tools at scale Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  4. Continuous improvement of AI-human workflows — benchmarks time savings and output quality across administrative AI use cases, uses findings to iteratively refine task delegation boundaries, and trains staff on evolving best practices for human-technology collaboration Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 549
Augment share: 54.9%
Time saved: 77.8%
AI autonomy: 3.21
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Critical Thinking
Score: 57.9 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication16 statements
Emerging
  1. Faculty communication basics — drafts routine departmental memos and policy summaries using clear institutional language for staff and faculty audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Student advisory dialogue — conducts initial advising conversations covering course selection and graduation requirements using prepared talking points Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Meeting participation — conveys departmental updates during staff meetings using structured notes and standard institutional vocabulary Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Report reading — interprets basic enrollment and financial reports and summarizes findings for supervisor review O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Stakeholder correspondence — composes formal communications to faculty, staff, and external partners that align tone and content to audience expectations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Curriculum briefing — presents academic program updates to department committees using data-supported talking points and responsive listening Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Student advising communication — elicits academic history, concerns, and goals through structured interview while maintaining professional rapport Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Policy translation — rewrites complex regulatory or accreditation language into accessible procedural guidance for diverse campus audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Strategic narrative delivery — articulates institutional vision and departmental priorities to faculty, governing boards, and community stakeholders through polished verbal and written communication Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Financial reporting communication — produces clear budget analyses and financial summaries for senior leadership and external auditors, translating data into actionable narrative O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Crisis communication — delivers timely, accurate, and measured messaging during institutional disruptions, balancing transparency with institutional responsibility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Accreditation documentation — authors comprehensive self-study reports and program reviews that meet regulatory standards and convey institutional quality O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional voice leadership — establishes and models communication standards across the institution, coaching administrators and department chairs on effective stakeholder engagement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-sector partnership communication — represents the institution in consortia, legislative, and media contexts, shaping public narrative through strategic and credible messaging Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Change communication architecture — designs multi-channel communication campaigns that guide faculty and staff through major institutional transformations with clarity and buy-in Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Publication and thought leadership — authors white papers, policy briefs, or scholarly commentary that advances postsecondary education discourse at regional or national level O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership16 statements
Emerging
  1. Team coordination initiation — supports department chairs and senior administrators by coordinating meeting logistics, agenda preparation, and follow-up task tracking Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Staff onboarding support — assists in orienting new departmental personnel to institutional policies, procedures, and expectations under supervisor guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Initiative ownership — takes responsibility for discrete administrative projects such as scheduling academic events or issuing transcripts with minimal oversight Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Role modeling professionalism — demonstrates institutional values and professional conduct in daily interactions with faculty, students, and support staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Personnel supervision — directs and evaluates support staff performance, providing regular feedback aligned with departmental goals and institutional standards O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Operational decision-making — makes independent judgments on routine departmental matters, escalating complex issues with well-reasoned recommendations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Program coordination leadership — leads cross-functional teams in executing orientation programs, academic events, or curriculum review cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Conflict mediation — addresses interpersonal or procedural conflicts among departmental staff by applying institutional policy and fair-process principles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Department leadership — directs, coordinates, and evaluates all personnel activities within an academic unit, aligning individual performance with institutional mission O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Hiring and talent development — recruits, interviews, selects, and trains departmental faculty and staff, building team capacity through intentional development planning O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Strategic initiative ownership — leads implementation of institutional strategic plan components within scope of authority, setting milestones and holding teams accountable Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Budget stewardship leadership — administers departmental budgets with fiscal discipline, making resource allocation decisions that maximize academic outcomes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional transformation leadership — formulates and champions institution-wide strategic plans, mobilizing diverse constituencies toward shared long-term goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Leadership pipeline development — identifies and cultivates emerging administrators and faculty leaders through mentorship, stretch assignments, and succession planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Governance influence — shapes shared governance structures and policy frameworks, earning faculty and board trust through consistent, principled leadership Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. External leadership representation — leads accreditation delegations, interinstitutional consortia, or state-level education commissions, advancing institutional and sector interests O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition16 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-assessment initiation — reflects on personal administrative decision-making after key events, identifying one strength and one area for improvement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy awareness — recognizes gaps in knowledge of institutional policy or higher education regulation and seeks targeted resources to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Task prioritization reflection — examines personal time allocation patterns to understand alignment between daily activities and stated departmental priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Feedback receptivity — receives supervisor and peer feedback on administrative work products and adjusts approach in subsequent tasks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Decision audit practice — reviews past administrative decisions against outcomes to identify cognitive biases or information gaps that affected judgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional development planning — creates a structured learning plan addressing identified competency gaps in areas such as budget management, accreditation, or personnel law Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Meeting effectiveness monitoring — evaluates the quality of one's own facilitation and communication during faculty or committee meetings and adjusts strategy accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Assumption interrogation — identifies personal assumptions embedded in proposed policies or program changes and subjects them to deliberate scrutiny before implementation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Strategic thinking calibration — monitors alignment between personal mental models of institutional dynamics and emerging data on enrollment, retention, or workforce trends Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Leadership style awareness — assesses impact of own leadership behaviors on faculty morale, staff performance, and departmental culture using multiple feedback channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cognitive load management — recognizes when administrative complexity exceeds individual processing capacity and deploys delegation or consultation strategies accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Learning transfer evaluation — assesses whether professional development activities are producing observable changes in administrative practice and revises approach as needed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional learning modeling — cultivates organizational metacognitive practices by embedding after-action reviews and strategic reflection into departmental and institutional routines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive leadership cognition — demonstrates conscious switching between analytical, intuitive, and collaborative thinking modes in response to novel institutional challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentored self-reflection facilitation — coaches emerging administrators in developing their own metacognitive practices, using structured reflection protocols and guided inquiry Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Knowledge boundary recognition — openly acknowledges limits of personal expertise in complex matters such as legal compliance or accreditation standards and systematically bridges those gaps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking16 statements
Emerging
  1. Policy interpretation — reads and applies existing institutional policies to routine administrative situations by identifying relevant rules and expected outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Data literacy foundation — interprets basic enrollment or grade distribution reports to draw simple, evidence-based observations about student outcomes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Problem identification — recognizes when departmental operational issues deviate from expected norms and flags them for supervisor attention with supporting documentation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Assumption awareness — identifies stated assumptions in proposed program changes or budget requests before accepting conclusions at face value Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Assessment analysis — examines student learning outcome data to identify patterns, anomalies, and gaps that inform curriculum or instructional adjustments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Operational diagnostics — analyzes workflow inefficiencies in registration, advising, or scheduling processes and proposes evidence-based procedural modifications Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Policy evaluation — evaluates existing departmental policies against demographic and operational data to determine whether modifications are warranted O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Competing priorities reasoning — weighs multiple institutional constraints including budget, accreditation requirements, and faculty concerns when analyzing proposed changes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Strategic plan analysis — critically evaluates institutional strategic plans against environmental scan data, demographic trends, and resource realities before endorsing or revising objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Personnel decision reasoning — applies structured evaluation criteria to hiring, promotion, and termination decisions, documenting reasoning and mitigating bias O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Budget scrutiny — analyzes financial reports and budget proposals for internal consistency, alignment with mission, and evidence of sound fiscal reasoning O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Accreditation standards analysis — interprets complex accreditation criteria, identifies institutional compliance gaps, and constructs evidence-based remediation arguments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional systems thinking — diagnoses root causes of persistent academic or administrative problems by mapping interdependencies across departments, policies, and external factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence-based policy architecture — designs institutional research frameworks that generate the evidence needed to evaluate, revise, and validate major policy decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Competing stakeholder reasoning — navigates analytically complex scenarios involving faculty governance, student advocacy, regulatory demands, and board expectations, synthesizing a defensible course of action Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Benchmarking and sector analysis — leads comparative studies of peer institutions to identify best practices and critically adapts findings to local institutional context O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration16 statements
Emerging
  1. Committee participation — contributes relevant departmental information to curriculum, budget, or planning committees while respecting established group norms Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-office coordination — works with registrar, financial aid, and student services offices to support students navigating institutional processes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Shared goal alignment — identifies personal role in achieving departmental goals and communicates willingness to support colleagues' parallel responsibilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Conflict de-escalation basics — maintains constructive tone in group disagreements and defers to established procedures for resolving disputes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interdepartmental project collaboration — co-leads cross-functional teams addressing curriculum revision, accreditation preparation, or institutional assessment cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Faculty partnership building — develops collaborative working relationships with faculty governance bodies to align administrative decisions with academic values Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Student affairs collaboration — coordinates with student services, counseling, and career center teams to deliver integrated academic support O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Perspective integration — actively solicits and incorporates minority viewpoints from faculty, staff, and students when developing departmental policies or programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Shared governance facilitation — leads collaborative policy development processes that integrate faculty senate, administrative, and student perspectives into durable institutional decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. External partner collaboration — develops and manages relationships with community colleges, employer partners, or transfer institutions to advance student pathways O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional assessment collaboration — co-designs and implements institution-wide learning assessment systems with faculty, institutional research, and accreditation teams O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Cross-campus crisis response — coordinates multi-unit administrative response to enrollment shortfalls, compliance issues, or campus incidents through structured collaborative protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Consortium leadership — leads multi-institutional collaborative initiatives, brokering shared resources, aligned standards, and joint programming across partner organizations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative culture architecture — embeds collaboration norms into departmental hiring, evaluation, and reward systems, making teamwork a structural rather than incidental feature Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Governance innovation — redesigns shared governance structures to improve representation, efficiency, and trust among faculty, staff, and administrative stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Community co-creation — leads participatory processes with external community stakeholders to co-design academic programs and institutional priorities O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character16 statements
Emerging
  1. Policy adherence — follows institutional policies and procedures consistently in daily administrative tasks, including FERPA compliance and equitable student treatment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Confidentiality practice — handles sensitive personnel, student, and financial information with appropriate discretion and access controls Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Accountability initiation — acknowledges errors in administrative tasks promptly and takes corrective action without deflecting responsibility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Professional conduct modeling — maintains respectful, professional demeanor in all interactions with faculty, students, staff, and external stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical conflict navigation — recognizes situations where institutional interests, personal preferences, and ethical obligations conflict, and applies principled reasoning to resolve them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Equity-conscious administration — applies consistent and equitable standards in personnel decisions, student advising, and resource allocation, examining personal bias when inconsistencies arise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Transparent communication — provides honest, complete information to supervisors, faculty, and students even when the news is unfavorable or politically sensitive Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Fiduciary responsibility — manages departmental budget and resources with integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest and ensuring appropriate stewardship of public or institutional funds O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Institutional integrity stewardship — enforces academic integrity policies, personnel standards, and accreditation requirements with consistency, fairness, and courage Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ethical leadership under pressure — maintains principled positions on personnel, student, or resource matters when facing political or hierarchical pressure to compromise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Accountability culture building — holds self and departmental staff accountable to stated commitments and institutional values through transparent performance management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Inclusive character demonstration — champions equitable treatment of underrepresented students and staff as a visible, persistent feature of administrative practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional ethics leadership — leads the development or revision of institutional codes of conduct, academic integrity policies, and ethical review processes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous advocacy — publicly advocates for institutional values, student welfare, or faculty rights in contexts where doing so carries professional risk Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Trust-based institutional culture — builds a departmental and institutional reputation for integrity that attracts high-quality faculty, students, and partners through demonstrated character over time Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Moral complexity navigation — guides the institution through ethically complex decisions involving competing stakeholder interests, legal ambiguity, or value conflicts with principled transparency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity16 statements
Emerging
  1. Process improvement ideation — proposes incremental improvements to departmental scheduling, advising workflows, or communication templates based on observation of inefficiencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Program variation brainstorming — generates initial ideas for course format variations or co-curricular additions that might improve student engagement or completion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Problem reframing — approaches recurring administrative challenges from a different angle when standard solutions have proven ineffective Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Orientation program innovation — suggests new elements or formats for student or staff orientation programs that enhance participation and information retention O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Curriculum innovation support — collaborates with faculty to design novel program structures, interdisciplinary courses, or competency-based pathways that address emerging workforce needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Resource constraint creativity — develops alternative approaches to achieving departmental goals when budget limitations preclude conventional solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Assessment design innovation — proposes new methods for monitoring student learning outcomes beyond traditional metrics, integrating authentic and formative assessment approaches O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Pilot program design — designs limited-scope experimental initiatives with clear hypotheses, success metrics, and evaluation timelines to test innovative approaches before full adoption Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Strategic program creation — leads the development of new academic programs, certificates, or delivery modalities that respond creatively to market gaps and institutional strengths Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Partnership model innovation — designs novel employer, community, or interinstitutional partnership structures that generate unique value for students and the institution O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Organizational design creativity — reconfigures departmental structures, roles, or workflows in ways that unlock new capacity or improve service delivery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Grant and resource development — crafts creative funding proposals that connect institutional priorities to external funding opportunities in innovative and compelling ways O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional innovation culture — establishes systems, incentives, and safe-to-fail environments that make creative experimentation a normalized feature of academic and administrative practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Transformative program architecture — conceives and launches flagship programs or institutional models that become sector-recognized innovations in postsecondary education Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-sector creative synthesis — imports novel frameworks from industry, technology, or social sectors and adapts them creatively to higher education contexts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Innovation mentorship — coaches department chairs and faculty leaders in applying creative problem-solving methods to persistent academic and administrative challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset16 statements
Emerging
  1. Challenge acceptance — approaches unfamiliar administrative responsibilities such as first-time budget management or accreditation preparation as learning opportunities rather than threats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback integration — incorporates constructive feedback from supervisors and peer administrators into revised work products and adjusted behaviors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional development engagement — attends institutional or professional association training on higher education administration and applies at least one new concept to current practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Setback reframing — after a policy proposal is rejected or a program initiative falls short, identifies specific lessons learned and articulates a revised approach Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Competency stretch — voluntarily takes on administrative responsibilities beyond current role definition to develop skills in areas such as grant management, labor relations, or accreditation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Critical feedback seeking — proactively requests performance feedback from faculty, staff, and students, treating critical input as actionable data rather than personal criticism Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Failure analysis practice — conducts structured post-mortems on failed initiatives or decisions, sharing findings transparently with team to build collective learning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Sector learning engagement — reads higher education research, policy briefs, and peer institution case studies to continuously expand knowledge of best practices O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Adaptive leadership development — deliberately pursues experiences that challenge current leadership assumptions, including cross-functional roles, external board service, or crisis management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning community leadership — creates departmental structures such as faculty learning communities or staff development cohorts that institutionalize continuous improvement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Persistence through institutional resistance — sustains commitment to evidence-based improvements in curriculum, assessment, or policy through cycles of faculty skepticism or administrative inertia Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Benchmark-driven improvement — uses peer institution data and national benchmarks to set ambitious targets and track progress, treating performance gaps as motivation rather than discouragement O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional learning culture design — embeds growth mindset norms into faculty evaluation, staff development, and strategic planning processes across the institution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Visible vulnerability leadership — publicly shares personal learning journeys, including significant professional failures and the growth they produced, to normalize growth mindset for the institution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Field contribution through learning — translates institutional improvement experiences into publications, conference presentations, or policy testimony that advances sector-wide learning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Coaching for development — provides sustained growth-focused mentorship to emerging postsecondary administrators, helping them reframe setbacks and build resilience across career stages Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness16 statements
Emerging
  1. Attention management basics — monitors personal focus during high-volume administrative periods and applies simple strategies to return attention to priority tasks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional awareness — recognizes personal stress responses during difficult personnel or student situations and pauses before responding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Meeting presence — maintains engaged, attentive participation in faculty, committee, and advising meetings, minimizing distraction from competing administrative demands Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Intentional communication — slows communication pace in sensitive conversations with students or staff to ensure accuracy and empathy in messaging Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Reactive impulse management — identifies trigger situations in shared governance or personnel disputes and applies deliberate pause strategies before responding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Workload awareness — monitors signs of cognitive and emotional overload in self and team, adjusting task distribution before performance declines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Stakeholder empathy practice — approaches student advising, faculty conflict, and staff concerns with conscious attention to the emotional dimensions of each interaction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Meeting facilitation mindfulness — designs and leads meetings with intentional structure, managing group energy and attention to produce focused, productive outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Crisis composure — maintains calm, regulated demeanor during institutional emergencies, enrollment crises, or accreditation pressures, modeling stability for faculty and staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Bias interruption — catches and interrupts automatic biases in hiring panels, student discipline reviews, and resource allocation decisions through practiced deliberate attention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Intentional prioritization — makes conscious, values-aligned choices about time allocation across strategic leadership, operational management, and community engagement responsibilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Listening depth — demonstrates genuine, undivided attention in advising and consultation interactions, allowing full expression before formulating administrative responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional emotional climate stewardship — monitors and actively shapes the emotional and psychological climate of the academic unit, intervening proactively when stress or conflict escalates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mindful change leadership — guides institutional transformations with deliberate attention to the human dimensions of change, pacing transitions to maintain staff and faculty well-being Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Contemplative leadership modeling — demonstrates and articulates the value of reflective, present-centered leadership practice to emerging administrators and department chairs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Systems attention — maintains simultaneous awareness of multiple institutional dynamics including enrollment trends, faculty morale, board expectations, and community relations without losing focus on individual stakeholder needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude16 statements
Emerging
  1. Uncertainty tolerance — continues productive administrative work during periods of institutional ambiguity such as accreditation reviews or leadership transitions without requiring resolution of all unknowns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Difficult conversation initiation — delivers corrective feedback or unwelcome policy information to faculty and staff despite personal discomfort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Workload persistence — maintains quality of administrative output during high-demand periods such as fiscal year-end, enrollment peaks, or accreditation cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Recovery orientation — returns to constructive action after administrative setbacks such as budget cuts or failed initiatives without extended withdrawal or disengagement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Sustained advocacy — maintains consistent advocacy for evidence-based program or policy changes through multiple rejection cycles or slow institutional processes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Personnel difficulty management — sustains commitment to fair, thorough performance management processes even when they are emotionally taxing or politically contentious O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Fiscal adversity navigation — continues strategic planning and mission execution through budget reductions, managing team morale and productivity under resource constraints O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Conflict courage — initiates necessary but uncomfortable conversations with senior leadership, faculty governance bodies, or external regulators when institutional interests require it Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Accreditation resilience — leads the institution through rigorous accreditation reviews, maintaining team confidence and operational continuity under sustained external scrutiny Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Enrollment crisis leadership — sustains strategic direction and staff morale through multi-year enrollment declines or demographic shifts, making difficult programmatic decisions without paralysis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Workforce adversity response — executes necessary personnel actions including reductions in force or program eliminations with integrity and compassion while holding institutional mission steady O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Institutional reputation defense — stands firm in protecting institutional integrity and academic standards when external pressures, political forces, or donor interests threaten to compromise them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Transformational perseverance — sustains multi-year institutional transformation initiatives through leadership resistance, resource scarcity, and external disruption until meaningful change is embedded Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Sector-level courage — takes public positions on higher education policy or equity issues that carry reputational or political risk, grounded in evidence and institutional values Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Crisis-tested leadership — demonstrates calm, decisive, and principled leadership through major institutional crises such as financial exigency, public controversy, or accreditation sanctions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  4. Fortitude mentorship — prepares emerging administrators for the emotional and professional demands of educational leadership by sharing personal resilience experiences and building structured hardiness development into leadership pipelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors65 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Academic Affairs Dean · Academic Affairs Director · Academic Affairs Vice President (Academic Affairs VP) · Academic Coordinator · Academic Dean · Academic Vice President (Academic VP) · Administration Dean · Admissions Coordinator · Admissions Dean · Admissions Director · Adult Basic Education Manager · Arts and Sciences Dean
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionInstructingActive ListeningWritingSpeakingMonitoringTime ManagementComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationService OrientationSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Financial Resources
Knowledge domains
English LanguageAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaMathematicsPsychology
Abilities
Problem SensitivityWritten ExpressionOral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningOriginalityDeductive Reasoning
Work styles
Leadership OrientationDependabilityIntegritySocial OrientationCooperationAchievement Orientation
Technology
Web page creation and editing softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareData base user interface and query softwareFacilities management softwareComputer based training softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareProject management softwareAccounting softwareWord processing softwareCloud-based data access and sharing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
  2. Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
  3. Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
  4. Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
  5. Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
  6. Formulate strategic plans for the institution.
  7. Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information.
  8. Provide assistance to faculty and staff in duties such as teaching classes, conducting orientation programs, issuing transcripts, and scheduling events.
CIP education codes
13.040113.040413.040613.040713.041251.071951.320251.320352.021461.020761.0211

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.