ABSTRACT
The only way to change the level of consciousness of the University of California (UC) is to energize its leadership. Clark Kerr and David Gardner were the right kinds of leaders for the times in which they lived, but each era creates its own challenges. At present, they need leaders who can bring other perspectives to higher education. Higher education in the United States still has much to contribute to the world. Identifying and developing a broad pool of talent should be a top priority at this time for the UC. As Jim Collins emphasizes, truly successful institutions choose their leaders from within their ranks. Indeed, this was the case with Kerr and Gardner. Both presidents were given opportunities for leadership very early in their lives, as they explain in their memoirs. They should engage in succession planning by identifying talented academics, both hedgehogs and foxes, and giving them a chance to develop and lead.
