'One of the ten best higher education books of 2025.” – Forbes

In this educational leadership book, consultant and speaker Elliot Felix challenges college and university administration to focus and differentiate their institution, break down silos, and work better together to enable college student success.

'An indispensable management guide for university leaders who want to better support their students through cutting-edge best practices.' —Timothy Renick, Executive Director, National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State University

Too many of today's colleges and universities are defined by their separations: teaching and research, student affairs and academic affairs, courses and careers, academia and industry, online and on-campus. The list goes on.

But demographic shifts, technological breakthroughs, economic upheaval, and new ways of learning and working mean that higher education must change. Instead of separations, we need connected colleges where all students feel a sense of belonging, courses lead to rewarding careers, students have the support to succeed, and faculty, staff, and administration work together to make this happen.

In this strategic planning book for higher education leaders, you will learn to get comfortable with disrupting higher education. Bust silos internally. Forge partnerships externally. Make bold decisions. See differentiation as destiny, not demographics. Get as good at sunsetting programs and services as you are at starting them.

Drawing from Elliot Felix's background in design innovation and experience working with more than one hundred colleges and universities, this management and leadership book for college administrators will challenge leaders with breakthrough ideas, inspiring success stories, and practical tactics.

The Connected College is your encouraging, evidence-based playbook for busting silos so they can succeed.