Portrait of a Presidency - by R Barbara Gitenstein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Gitenstein's journey as a stunningly successful pioneer in higher education should give us all great hope." -Freeman A. Hrabowski III, UMBC president emeritus; co-author, The Resilient University and The Empowered University

As public opinion began to sour on higher education, Barbara Gitenstein became president of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), today one of the most competitive and successful public undergraduate institutions in the Northeast, second among New Jersey institutions only to Princeton in successful admission of students to graduate programs.

During her nineteen-year tenure as president, she confronted multiple crises, including 9/11, student deaths, controversial speakers, and political interference. By partnering with other agencies and working to build a team of esteemed colleagues, she successfully navigated the complex expectations of a higher education leader-but not without a few missteps along the way.

Told with a self-deprecating humor and a spirit of gratitude for all angles of her time as president, Portrait of a Presidency: Patterns in My Life as President of The College of New Jersey offers insights on successful leadership that will resonate across industries.

Review Quotes

". . . an invaluable manual for new presidents eager to learn the nuances of a very challenging job. " -Patricia McGuire, president, Trinity Washington University since 1989; President's Distinguished Service Award, American Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (2018); frequently published in The Wall Street Journal, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Education and The Washington Post

"In her compelling memoir, Portrait of a Presidency, Dr. Gitenstein offers keen insights into the challenges of leading a large public institution. Through gripping renditions of her formative experiences leading The College of New Jersey for nineteen years, she imparts valuable lessons in leadership conveyed through honest self-evaluation. . . . Don't miss this opportunity to discover secrets to success behind key skills such as setting core values, mentoring, decision-making, solving complex problems, and much more." -Sandra L. Stosz, vice admiral, US Coast Guard (retired), former superintendent of the US Coast Guard Academy, author of Breaking Ice & Breaking Glass: Leading in Uncharted Waters

"Portrait of a Presidency is a compelling account of a brave and intelligent woman's rise to the presidency of one of the nation's most remarkable colleges. But Gitenstein's memoir is far more than the narrative of a leader. It is a portrait of an era in American higher education, particularly public higher education, when one-time regional colleges could aspire to a level of excellence equal to that of elite private institutions." -Terrence MacTaggart, former chancellor, University of Maine system, Minnesota State University system, the University of Wisconsin-Superior

"With graceful language in nine chapters introduced by quotes from Emily Dickinson, Dr. Barbara 'Bobby' Gitenstein recalls and characterizes her life's journey. From childhood dreams of being an opera diva to student to professor to academic administrator to presidential candidate to university president, we follow along. She describes campus and family challenges with honesty, humor, and humility while not holding back in reflecting on her actions and commenting on those of others. She helps us see the challenges of balancing career, marriage, and motherhood. This memoir is not only helpful in getting to know the author, but also it serves as a guide for future leaders in managing the challenges and joys of successful campus leadership. . . . Her Portrait is a valuable addition to the literature on higher education in America." -Dr. Robert A. Scott, president emeritus and university professor emeritus, Adelphi University, and president emeritus and professor emeritus, Ramapo College of New Jersey; co-author with Dr. Drew Bogner of Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate