The Nostalgia Nightmare
Written by Dr. Melik Peter Khoury
How Rose-Tinted Memories Hamper Institutional and Industry Progress
Nostalgia isn’t just a comforting story; it’s a weapon wielded against those trying to lead organizations into the future
Step into any embattled institution, and you’ll find a familiar pattern: the moment leadership attempts bold, necessary change, a chorus rises from the past, lamenting the departure from “the good old days.” In higher education, this cycle plays out with relentless consistency. Alums, former faculty, and longtime stakeholders conjure up an era when all was well; when enrollment was strong, finances were stable, and the institution was allegedly at its peak. Meanwhile, the current leader is scrutinized, criticized, and, more often than not, set up to fail.
I’ve written about the Presidential Graveyard, the revolving door of college and university presidents who step into roles with impossible expectations and little staying power. This piece is a direct continuation of the conversations that the article sparked. It became clear that the nostalgia trap isn’t just a leadership challenge; it’s an existential threat to institutions trying to survive in an era of disruption. This phenomenon extends far beyond higher education…
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