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The Admin-Executive Partnership in Higher Education: Strengthening Collaboration

February 4, 2025

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ASAP - Strengthening the Admin-Executive Collaboration

Administrative professionals in higher education occupy a distinctive and influential role. They facilitate collaboration, support leaders, and maintain alignment with the overarching mission of fostering student success.

Insights from ASAP's State of Executive Administration Report underscore the distinct role of admins in education and academia, with the sector representing 28% of survey respondents, making it the largest-represented industry for administrative professionals. Here’s what makes the academic admin role unique and how you can harness these insights to advance your career.

Admins in Higher Education: Unique Roles and Opportunities

Working in higher education offers a dynamic, mission-driven environment with opportunities for profound institutional impact. ASAP’s State of Executive Administration Report highlights several key trends:

  • Close Proximity to Leadership: According to the report, education is among the top industries where admins are most likely to be office-based. This proximity fosters frequent and meaningful interactions with executives, creating opportunities to build trust, collaborate effectively, and gain leadership exposure.

  • Diverse Roles Across Departments: Over 60% of admins in academia identify their role within administrative departments, while others work in operations or academic-specific departments. This diversity highlights the multi-faceted nature of the role, requiring both strategic and operational expertise.

  • Salaried Positions with Growth Potential: Admins in education report higher average salaries than many peers in other industries, reflecting the advanced responsibilities tied to their roles. Administrative Assistants in higher education average $50,603 annually, while Executive Assistants earn $68,163, underscoring the value of their contributions to academic leadership.

Why a Strong Admin-Executive Partnership Matters

The admin-executive partnership in higher education is uniquely aligned with the mission-driven culture of academia. Admins support coordination between deans, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, impacting everything from decision-making processes to student success. This relationship benefits both the institution and your individual career.

For the Institution

  • Improved Decision-Making: Admins enable executives to focus on high-priority tasks like strategic planning and program development

  • Enhanced Student Success: Effective coordination among faculty, staff, and departments contributes to a well-functioning campus and better student outcomes

  • Streamlined Collaboration: Admins organize virtual meetings, facilitate clear communication, and maintain alignment across diverse campus teams

For Your Career

  • Leadership Exposure: Working closely with academic leaders offers insight into strategic decision-making and problem-solving at a high level

  • Career Growth Opportunities: Building a reputation as a reliable, indispensable partner opens doors to leadership roles, salary increases, and broader responsibilities

  • Expanded Professional Networks: Proximity to key decision-makers allows admins to develop influential relationships that support long-term career advancement

How to Strengthen Your Admin-Executive Partnership

Fostering a successful relationship with your executive requires intentional effort and a commitment to growth. Here are actionable strategies for admins in higher education:

1. Understand Your Executive’s Priorities

  • Schedule regular check-ins to stay aligned on goals and campus initiatives

  • Stay informed about institutional trends and anticipate your executive’s needs proactively

2. Leverage Your Office-Based Advantage

  • Use in-person interactions to address challenges promptly and strengthen trust

  • Position yourself as a problem-solver by offering solutions before issues escalate

4. Adapt to Evolving Needs

  • Invest in learning new technologies that enhance virtual collaboration across campuses

  • Stay updated on developments in higher education to offer valuable insights and context

Learn from Your Peers in the ASAP Community

ASAP is a thriving hub for academic admins who understand the challenges and opportunities you face daily. By joining the ASAP Circle, you gain access to a robust community of peers in our designated Higher Ed Industry Space who have tackled the same complex schedules, cross-campus collaborations, and institutional priorities that define your role.

Imagine the advantage of tapping into tried-and-true strategies shared by admins who have been in your shoes. These connections are more than professional networks; they are lifelines for innovation, support, and career advancement.

ASAP also offers resources designed to empower your career growth, including courses like How to Become Your Executive’s Greatest Asset, which provide actionable strategies for building stronger admin-executive partnerships.

Explore ASAP Courses Today!

Join the Conversation

Welcome to the ASAP Circle, a community platform for peer-to-peer conversation on trending topics, professional challenges, and shared experiences. We even have designated spaces for weekly Tuesday Coffee Breaks.

Start Connecting Today!

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