9. Visible and Shadow Structures in Higher Education: A Conversation with Chris Heavey and Tondra De
From EdUp Provost by Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO)
October 29, 2025 · 35 min · Season 3 · Episode 9
About this episode
The episode discusses visible and shadow structures in higher education and their implications for effective leadership.
In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Tondra De and Dr. Chris Heavey discuss the chapter on visible and shadow structures they wrote for The Chief Academic Officer's Handbook: A Provost’s Guide to Visionary Leadership. They examine the significant distinctions between visible and shadow structures in higher education, highlighting the importance of comprehending both for effective leadership. The discussion covers strategies for fostering collaboration, navigating informal networks, and addressing silos within institutions. They also explore the significance of communication, the role of provosts in shaping campus culture, and the importance of self-awareness and constructive feedback for effective leadership development.Takeaways• Visible structures are formal and documented processes.• Shadow structures are informal and influential networks.• Effective communication fosters collaboration and minimizes conflict.• Building personal relationships is key to navigating shadow structures.• Transparency helps combat misconceptions about the provost's office.
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner
Guests: Tondra De, Dr. Chris Heavey
Topics covered
- visible structures
- shadow structures
- higher education
- leadership
- communication
- collaboration
Keywords
- higher education
- leadership
- communication
- collaboration
- provost
- shadow structures
- visible structures
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Chief Academic Officer's Handbook: A Provost’s Guide to Visionary Leadership
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