Training The Next Generation Of Public College Presidents: Advancing A Framework To Prepare Aspiring College Presidents

The problem identified was the pending turnover of college presidents, the shrinking pool of traditional candidates and the need to better prepare a new cohort of individuals earlier in their career for the increasingly complex and challenging role of college president. This qualitative dissertation in practice sought to understand the preparation needed to become a first-time four-year public college president. The systematic grounded theory research design best aligned with the researcher’s postpositivist worldview of logic, sequence and interconnectedness. The aim was to advance a framework for preparing aspiring four-year public college presidents that was derived by exploring the perception of current first-time college presidents of the preparation needed for the position. The overarching research question that drove the study was what is the framework that explains the process of preparing aspiring public four-year college and university presidents? Through the prescribed coding steps of systematic grounded theory and the use of theoretical sampling and constant comparative analysis, data saturation was reached and a framework was advanced. The three-phased presidential preparatory model is a visual model that includes learned skills, professional experiences and rigorous self-assessment. Two facilitating conditions were also identified. This framework informed the development of the recommended solution, the Aspiring Presidents Preparatory Program (APPP) that is grounded in the model advanced and aligns with the key findings. The conclusion discusses implications for higher education, for future research and connections to leadership theory.

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Romano, Christopher D.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Guetterman, Timothy C.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/127636

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/127636