ABSTRACT
Perhaps it is inevitable that leaders are defined, in part, by comparison to their predecessors. Indeed, the process of choosing a leader is often informed by the failings and successes of the previous leader. When selecting a college president, search committees typically consider which candidate can best meet the challenges that are thought to be ahead, but overlaid on that seemingly rational process might be the desire to replicate individuals or attributes they admire. Alternatively, especially during difficult times or following a troubled presidency, the search might be more reactive, with search committee members preferring candidates as different as possible from the most recent incumbent.
