1. ^aExecutive Dean of Business and Technology, Cedar Valley College, Lancaster, Texas, USA. E-mail: markfweb@go.com
2. ^bEducation Policy Research Center, The University of Alabama, 212 Carmichael Hall, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0231, USA. E-mail: skatsina@bamaed.ua.edu

Abstract

This article examines the demographic makeup of Texan university executive management groups in their relationship to institutional success as measured by student retention rates. Executive management teams that are diverse in age, time served as an executive, and the number of executives on the team may be particularly advantageous in enhancing total retention rates. Teams that are diverse on a broad range of demographic characteristics are likely to produce improved strategic decisions that may lead to relatively better performance, measured by rises in student retention. It can therefore be suggested that the setting up of an optimal executive team could lead to improved levels of retention. While this article does not make any indications as to what an optimal team might be or does prescribe a formula for producing one, it does indicate that one or more optimal executive team profiles exist. In the current higher education climate, the demographic composition of executive teams is a subject of critical importance to higher education researchers and leaders.