This course is open to professionals interested in learning more about leadership in higher education for a changing demographic or interested in developing their own leadership skills. The very idea that individuals can be taught to lead is not without its skeptics. Reasonable people, even some scholars in the field, point to the important traits, skills, and attributes that are observed in many visible leaders and contend that certain qualities necessary for effective leadership are not easily transmitted.
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To accept this premise and conclude that some people are born as natural leaders and others cannot be expected to lead at all is to make a mistake at the other end of the logical spectrum. We believe that leadership can be taught as long as it is concurrently nurtured, that most people possess a constellation of strengths around which they can construct their own leadership philosophy and approach, and that leadership development programming—if done well—can be transformative for organizers and participants.
Course Level Objectives:
- Understand the historical narrative of institutions as well as institutional structures that have created instances of inclusion and exclusion in colleges and universities.
- Describe how transformational leadership is enacted for diversity, equity, and inclusion in a complex and contested environment.
- Compare legislative, governance, and public accountability and expectations in relation to contemporary issues in higher education.
- Analyze the strategic diversity planning process and documents of a selected institution.
- Recommend innovations and opportunities for transformational change at various levels of the ecological model using the strategic diversity planning process as a tool.
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Leadership Challenges of the 21st Century
The system of higher education has grown from a complex history and evolving mission to serve the public good. Higher education leaders and administrators should reflect upon and consider this history and its implications for equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts on campus. This module will help you to recognize historical narratives and present day consequences on campus, from the way students are admitted to the buildings on campus.
WEEK 2
Bias of Consciousness
Higher education institutions have been shaped through a history of exclusion. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Women's Colleges, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are a few examples of these institutions. This module will help you to understand the various structures, schools, and organizations that have developed as a result of historical exclusion and the role each plays in equity, diversity, and inclusion on campuses across the United States.
WEEK 3
Contested Discourse
Social discourse is intertwined with modern issues faced by students on campus. Student movements develop in response to contested discourse and seek to change not only tensions on campus, but address social inequities as well. This module will provide background on contested discourse as well as highlight several student movements addressing contemporary campus issues.
WEEK 4
Strategic Diversity Planning
WEEK 5
Rethinking Leaders, Leadership and Leadership Development
