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

Campuses, majors, and cultures may vary, but all college students strive to feel connected to their people, their place, and their purpose. But many don't . . . and it's not their fault.

Today's colleges and universities are defined by their separations: teaching and research, student affairs and academic affairs, courses and careers, academia and industry. 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.

To lead a connected college, you must 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.

In this strategic planning book for higher education leaders, discover the importance of . . .

• Internal collaboration between departments.
• External partnerships with industry and other higher education institutions.
• Recruiting and retaining communities where students find their niche.
• Flexible course pathways that build durable skills while responding to industry needs.
• Experiential learning, integrated student services, and generative AI.

College students are working on their futures. The Connected College is your encouraging, evidence-based playbook for busting silos so they can succeed.

Elliot Felix is a student success consultant, speaker, and author. A graduate of the University of Virginia and MIT, Elliot uses his background in design to create better connected colleges and universities by improving the spaces students learn and live in, the services that support them, and the technology they use.

Through his work with over a hundred colleges and universities he has improved the experience of more than one million students. Elliot speaks and writes about student success frequently and his work has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

His first book, How to Get the Most Out of College, was published in January 2022 and received a blue star from Kirkus Reviews, calling it "A knowledgeable, enthusiastic guide packed with strategies and encouragement." His new book, The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success, is an encouraging, evidence-based playbook for breaking down silos so that students succeed.

He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Liz, and children, Theo and Nora. He can be found running around four lakes per week in the Twin Cities.

"The Connected College is an indispensable management guide for university leaders who want to better support their students through cutting-edge best practices. Through a series of interviews with innovative practitioners and a host of concrete examples, Elliot Felix shows that creating a student-centered university requires systematic change to the way we design our universities and deliver core institutional functions." — Timothy Renick, Executive Director, National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State University

"Higher education wasn't built for today's students—but it can be. Elliot Felix delivers a practical road map for leaders ready to break down silos, streamline support, and build student-centered institutions. The Connected College offers strategies and real-world examples to help universities evolve, so that more students graduate and succeed." — Bridget Burns, Founding CEO, the University Innovation Alliance

"Colleges tend to be remarkably siloed organizations, but to serve students well, all the parts need to work effectively together. In The Connected College, Elliot Felix draws upon work with leaders across higher education to provide compelling examples of and guidelines for truly integrated learning environments." — Brian Rosenberg, President Emeritus, Macalester College

"The Connected College offers a transformative blueprint for rethinking how institutions support student success. Elliot Felix provides practical, innovative strategies that empower leaders to build more inclusive, engaging, and student-centered campuses. It's an absolute must-read for anyone committed to shaping the future of higher education." — Marybeth Gasman, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education and Professor, Rutgers University

"Both higher education and the workforce our students will enter upon graduation are evolving at an unprecedented pace. The topics and leadership strategies outlined in The Connected College address the immense challenges we face, urging us to rethink and redefine how we educate and equip our students for future success. If you are looking to create the future of higher ed in the most disruptive moment in the history of education, this is your map." — Risa Dickson, President, University of La Verne

"For college leaders looking for creative ideas and practical innovations to improve their students' learning opportunities and experiences, this is the book for you. Elliot Felix addresses the full gamut of campus operations with fresh ideas about how to coordinate and deliver them with student success as a guiding objective. Well-informed by multiple case studies and a thorough coverage of supporting literature, this is an excellent playbook for how to replace conventional thinking with creative strategies for campus change." — Michael Nietzel, President Emeritus, Missouri State University

"The Connected College is a great read! I love the 'choose your own adventure' organization that allows (encourages!) readers to skip around. I'll give copies to all the members of my leadership team and the heads of all our shared-governance committees." — Suzanne Rivera, President, Macalester College

"This is an exceptional book that I very much enjoyed reading. I was struck by the important issues it highlights like connecting the 'frontline' student-facing work and institutional strategy. It also inspired me to look to the external market for ideas." — David Clark, Vice President of Campus Life, Emory University

"Elliot Felix's The Connected College is an indispensable guide for university leaders dedicated to transforming the student experience. This book offers actionable insights and innovative strategies that are essential for fostering a thriving, connected campus community." — Tom Ellett, Chief Experience Officer, Quinnipiac University

"The Connected College offers leaders, their teams, and anyone working at colleges and universities a 'playbook' for creating pathways and bridges that make it easier for students to navigate college, avoid confusion, find support, make connections, and SUCCEED. The Connected College also offers a blueprint for institutions seeking to create efficiencies and increase effectiveness by focusing first, foremost, and always on student success. Connect to this compelling book and then get to work on your campus." — David V. Rosowsky, Senior Advisor to the President, Arizona State University