Leadership capacity and pipeline in higher education

2016-04-01This study applied Kouzes and Posner’s (2012) practices of exemplary leadership to examine best practices in building leadership capacity in a higher education setting. The purpose of the study was to understand the promising practices implemented in campuses or offices within a multi-campus, public higher education institution, including ways the organization worked to build the next generation of leaders, and the factors that both facilitated and inhibited the development and implementation of strategies to build leadership capacity. Using Creswell’s (2013) model for qualitative data analysis, data was collected through participant interviews, observations, job descriptions and program agendas, and analyzed for common themes and categories. Findings from this study indicated that while the institution does have good yet isolated practices in place, a single, system wide leadership program existed and was complemented by campus efforts to build leadership capacity. As pockets of emerging, experienced and knowledgeable leaders are developed, a unifying, institutional philosophy coupled with intentional investment in future leaders provide success and survival tools. The study begins to address the gaps within the institution and supports the ongoing need for leadership development at all levels