Academic Leadership

Front Page Text - Vol5 - Iss1 - Current

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:12:08 PST

Dealing With Difficult Co-Workers

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 12:20:32 PST

He’s the colleague who is always late to work and never meets a deadline. He’s always apologetic and ready with an excuse and promises this is really the last time he’ll ask for a favor. You’ve been the nice guy, even covering up for him, but now you’re sick of it.

The Management of Creativity: Redux

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 16:20:30 PST

The June/July/August 2005 edition of Academic Leadership (Vol. 3, Issue 2) featured a paper entitled, Demonstrated Leadership in the Development of a Cross Disciplinary Class entitled: The Management of Creativity, Managing the Creative Mind: A Business Elective Created By Menswear Designer Joseph Abboud. This course was originally proposed and team taught by two Sacred Heart University faculty members, one in finance (Gerlach) and one in marketing (Maresco) along with internationally known men’s fashion designer, Mr. Joseph Abboud. Its purpose was, and still remains, providing a leadership experience by bringing together creative practitioners to discuss with business students the challenges they face regarding financing and marketing their ideas.

Leadership and Recruitment: What Leaders Can Learn From Coach Robert Montgomery Knight: A Conceptual View

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 16:18:47 PST

It has always puzzled me why organizations do not seem to take the same amount of time and energy to interview and recruit prospective employees as that shown by sports teams. In this essay, I will be looking at recruitment and leadership typically found in a business environment and that found in a basketball (sports) context; specifically Division I college basketball.

Farrish Danley, III, ED.S.

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:48:19 PST

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AT PARAMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:45:44 PST

The problem is the perceived academic shortcomings of America’s public schools because of high stakes testing that is expected to increase along with limited funds and resources. The purpose of this study was to find the benefits of the extracurricular activities that students are already participating in at Paramount High School. This is a quantitative study looking at the cumulative GPA’s, standardized test scores in mathematics, and standardized test scores in English/Language Arts of students involved in school athletics, music instruction, and non-participants. Athletes and music students outperformed their non-participating counterparts in all areas. Further study is recommended with a larger sample, over a longer duration of time, and with a wider array of measurements

Michael Zwart

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:44:29 PST

Authentic Dialogue in Organizations a Dangerous Idea: Viewing the Art of Authentic Dialogue through the Science of Evolutionary Psychology

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:41:45 PST

Dialogue is defined as a conversation between two or more persons with differing views; the primary purpose of which is for each participant to learn from the other so that she or he can change and grow (Swidler, 1998, p. 2). For true dialogue to occur it needs to take place within a safe environment of mutually accepted rights and responsibilities, and rooted in two fundamental values: respect for the human person and trust in the process of dialogue (The Art of Dialogue, ¶ 2). Uniting the art of authentic dialogue with the science of evolutionary psychology, which describes the origins of human behavior and cognition in terms of Darwinian biological and adaptive principles, considers whether true dialogue can safely occur in the presence of innate human behaviors such as: gossip, envy, and status seeking behavior.

Melinda Spohn, PhD, LMHC

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:40:36 PST

Organizational Leadership: Classic Works and Contemporary Perspectives

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:38:00 PST

Organizations—those ubiquitous entities that provide an array of products and services in response to consumer wants and needs—are faced with significant and expanding challenges and opportunities in the twenty-first century. Given the ongoing emphasis on organizational governance and accountability, the competitive nature of the global economy, the pervasive impact of technology, the transition to knowledge-based organizations, and the needs of a dynamic workforce, observers may posit that this time in our history calls for an increased emphasis on organizational leadership.

Mark J. Safferstone, Ph.D.

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:35:16 PST

Women University Presidents: Career Paths and Educational Backgrounds

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:33:15 PST

The purpose of this research project was to explore the lived experiences of women university presidents in developing the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies required for successful leadership in higher education. This specific report focuses on the educational backgrounds and career paths of these women. Ten women university presidents were interviewed for two to three hours each using the phenomenological research approach. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and theme generation techniques used. Although there were some similarities among the women in terms of educational backgrounds and employment positions, the data show that presidents can emerge from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Specific job titles are not as important as opportunities to learn and develop through a wide variety of positions, responsibilities, and experiences. It was discovered that no president followed a formal career path. This paper offers important implications. Understanding the experiences and perceptions of these women provides insight into the types of activities, influences, and experiences that are beneficial for women to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for effective leadership.

Susan R. Madsen

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:28:08 PST

Alumni Assessment: Providing Insight to University Leadership

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:22:15 PST

Alumni assessment is a tool that should be used when evaluating academic programs. Alumni can share insight with university leadership that current students may not be able to provide. They can provide valuable information on areas such as academic courses, faculty instruction, and professional status of alumni. This study explored a doctoral program that was eliminated without an alumni assessment. The findings concluded the doctoral program had a positive effect on its alumni.

Janine M. Kraus, Ph.D.

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:20:50 PST

Motivation of Asian Americans to Study Medicine: A Pilot Study

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:45:23 PST

This preliminary study lays the ground work in defining the possible motivational factors for Asian Americans to study medicine in the United States. The percentage of Asian American students in U.S. medical schools has been consistently higher than the percentage of Asian Americans in the U.S. general population and in undergraduate school programs. Extensive literature review revealed that this phenomenon has not been given the attention it deserves. Through semi-structured interviews, qualitative data were obtained from 10 medical students in a medical school in Texas to guide defining the dimensions of the issue and future research. The results of this pilot study indicated that major motivating factors for Asian Americans to study medicine include family and cultural emphasis on academic success, perception of obligation to respond to family needs and expectations, and desire to establish credentials in the host society via socially respected professional careers. The approach of servant leadership was introduced partially in response to the findings of the pilot study to promote professional values and leadership skills and counterbalance the motivation for money and prestige among medical students. The study findings are important in defining future research, healthcare policy and administrative decision-making in medical schools and healthcare organizations, especially in regard to service to the community.

Ralitsa Akins, M.D., Ph.D.

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:44:11 PST

MANAGING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OF TEACHING STAFF IN THE UNIVERSITY: Views of Finnish University Leaders

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:35:12 PST

This paper addresses the management of professional competencies of academic staff in Finnish universities. It explored the different ways university leadership in Finland goes about quality enhancement of the teaching staff in the university. Administration questionnaire was employed in the process of data collection. Although the results show comprehensive techniques of enhancing the quality of staff in Finnish universities, some of the conclusions that emerged from the study include the acknowledgement of the crucial importance of improving staff quality in keeping them current in their fields of expertise, its importance in institutional survival and the need for universities to commit themselves to staff development as innovation strategy for individual and institutional development. Other higher education institutions should draw their lessons from Finnish case.

Stephen Chukwunenye Anyamele, Ph.D

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:26:07 PST

Cynthia Clark RN, MS, PhD

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:57:17 PST