Addressing Wicked Problems

The current higher education environment creates for institutions and its leadership a growing number of wicked problems, included among these are ensuring that students feel safe, are guaranteed free speech, providing engaging on-campus housing experiences while controlling costs, providing a broad-based education while preparing students for entry into the workforce, and increasing enrollment pressures while maintaining admission standards just to name a few. In addition to these general examples, institutions often confront their own unique wicked problems. Drawing on both his clinical experience and additional training in design thinking, Dr. Paveza assists university leadership in developing and implementing viable solutions to their wicked problem.

Succession and Transition Planning

Trained as a Clinical Social Work with a specialization in Geriatrics, as well as years of experience actively engaged in advising and managing leadership transitions in higher education, Dr. Paveza has a deep understanding of the issues faced as senior administrators consider retirement and beyond. Using these unique insights, he offers expertise to senior leaders and administrators transitioning from the higher education space as they consider the sensitive and complex questions that arise when transitioning from an active career to stepping into the encore years with a focus on a healthy work/life balance. Applying this expertise, he addresses issues such as working with boards and colleagues, announcements, and handling the various administrative as well as emotional challenges that leaders must navigate.

Administrative and Academic Restructuring

Drawing on his experience as an academic administrator and faculty leader who has served as a member of a university board of trustees, Dr. Paveza seeks to take on the challenges of restructuring administrative responsibilities to help stabilize academic environments. Dr. Paveza is well-versed and experienced in addressing the need that institutions face when considering administrative realignment to maintain the sustainability of the academic environment. Drawing on a combination of his clinical expertise, his administrative experience, and faculty leadership, Dr. Paveza has developed a method for identifying administrative areas for restructuring, for seeking appropriate faculty and community input on the proposed changes, and the development of a timeline and strategies for transitioning to the new structure.

Strategic Planning

Dr. Paveza in addition to completing the SCUP (Society for College and University Planners) Planning Institute, has successfully designed, developed, and implemented four strategic planning processes at three different institutions of higher education. As an example, Dr. Paveza was instrumental when USF was faced with the challenge of developing and deploying its first truly comprehensive strategic plans under the leadership of President Judy Genshaft resulting in the successful alignment of budget with long term enrollment goals. Dr. Paveza’s extensive experience in this area makes him uniquely qualified to provide insights, expertise, and guidance in engaging stakeholders in the development and acceptance of the strategic plan and in working with university leadership to ensure that budgets are targeted toward successful implementation and outcomes.