What’s AHEAD Poll # 12: November 2016 U.S. Election Results

This report summarizes the results of a poll of members of the What’s AHEAD trend-spotter panel (n = 387). The panel is made up of higher education leaders, including alumni of the Executive Doctorate program in Higher Education Management at the University of Pennsylvania, and members of NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. We received 131 responses during the 5 days in which the poll was open (November 9-13, 2016): 111 of 269 Executive Doctorate alumni, 17 members of NASPA, and three other higher education leaders. About half (50%) of respondents work at private not-for-profit four-year institutions, 18% work at public four-year institutions, 8% at public two-year institutions, 2% at for-profit institutions, 3% at non-US based universities, and 1% in administrative units (e.g., system offices). The remaining respondents (16%) work in organizations other than colleges and universities. Nearly half (38%) of respondents hold positions that focus on administration, 25% on academic matters, 18% in student affairs, 4% in finance, and 15% in other areas. Additional commentary is available at https://ahead-penn.org/whats-ahead/commentary-november-2016