That is not a position that will necessarily make everyone happy, but it is one that is necessary. As many leaders have found, though, this role is frequently more honored in theory than in practice, especially when pressures build from all sides. Tempting as they are since they seem egalitarian, they are frequently disastrous for the institution in the long run since they tend to make weak areas weaker while sapping strength from stronger programs. They shine in the lab, are lauded by their peers, and produce truly cutting-edge work. But they are often very poor leaders.
Good leaders score high in the emotional intelligence category.
They are self-aware, control impulses, can delay gratification, and are empathetic. All that tradition and school spirit was great, but it often stood in the way of necessary and beneficial adaptation. Today the pace of change is so accelerated that to resist it is akin to standing firm in the face of a hurricane, and just about as effective. Leaders don't have the luxury of resisting change. They must anticipate the new, personally accommodate to the change, and then be ready to help others make the transition as smoothly as possible.