Date of Award
5-2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Executive Leadership
First Supervisor
Theresa Pulos
Second Supervisor
Anastasia Urtz
Abstract
The spontaneous nature of crises on college campuses, and the difficulty in predicting or preparing for such occurrences, has created a challenge for campus leadership and their execution of crisis management plans. Current research explores the effectiveness of these crisis management plans, however, a gap of knowledge exists in understanding individual leaders’ experiences and the challenges they face. The intent of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of higher education administrators who have led through an unexpected crisis that impacted their institution. Research was conducted using qualitative methodology consisting of one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data retrieved from these interviews were coded into meaning units to help better understand crisis phenomena impacting senior level higher education administrators. Findings revealed administrators that have experienced a crisis often struggle with the balance between their institutional responsibilities and their personal convictions as leaders. The recommendations set forth in this study include: dedicating time for reflection and processing after a crisis event, and engaging in activities that help leaders to better understand and develop their leadership identity.
Recommended Citation
Moore, Melissa, "Leadership Under Fire: A Phenomenological Study of Senior Administrator’s Perceived Leadership Identity and Crisis Response at Higher Education Institutions in the United States" (2018). Education Doctoral. Paper 368.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/education_etd/368
Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.