Journal of International Academic Research for Multidisciplinary Editorial Board COLONIAL AND 21 ST CENTURY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PRESIDENTS: EFFECTS ON CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TRENDS

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper presidents in both public and private colleges and universities are now more accountable to stakeholders, government and the board of trustees than they were in the colonial era. This paper examined the role of colleges and universities presidents in the politically complex context of the colonial periods and the modern era of higher education. Furthermore, it identified traces of historical perceptions that may remain in today's educational settings. It was found that several legislative higher education acts helped increase student enrolment and the responsibility of higher education institutions administrators expanded. Administrative bureaucracies began to rise in the modern era and the universities and colleges became much more like a corporate business with wellstructured administrations. As administrative hierarchies and bureaucratic management developed, trustees became corporate directors responsible for institution maintenance and administrators became business managers. Modern era presidents' salaries skyrocketed in the U.S. It was concluded that the modern president's job has evolved from a cleric to a pure scholar position whose responsibilities span the vast array of functions represented in today's contemporary universities. The roles of modern college administrators are not only centered on decision-making in developing long-term vision and communicating vision and goals to all stakeholders. Presidents in both public and private colleges and universities are now more accountable to stakeholders, government and the board of trustees. It was recommended that struggling colleges and universities could merge with other institutions that are either flourishing or struggling financially to form a viable institution. Standardizing colleges and universities high college presidents' salaries would be an interesting topic for future research