Available research and scholarship to serve as the basis for improving student services in Ghanaian universities are limited. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of the work by deans of students at Ghanaian universities and to further understand the ways in which their experiences, values and philosophy influence their roles on campus. In particular, the deans of students' understanding of their work in providing student services, promoting student learning, student engagement, student development and success is of special interest in this study.
Available literature on traditional and innovative models of student affairs practices in the United States served as the theoretical framework of the study. Interviews, observations, and document analysis were used as sources of data collection in four selected Ghanaian universities.
Research findings from the data analysis showed that the traditional leadership mindset of many Ghanaian university staff members conflicted with the more liberal orientation of many students, leading to student-staff tension on the university campuses. I also found out that many deans of students' offices in Ghanaian universities use an administrative-centered model of student affairs practice which is often bureaucratic and less student-centered.
Again, the study revealed that many students were not satisfied with the services provided by the deans of students' offices. While the deans of students perceive students as children who need parental care on campus, students are demanding more innovative and progressive approaches to providing student services on campus. Both students and staff acknowledged inadequate resources as a major challenge in the service delivery efforts of the deans of students.
","abstract_html":"<p>Available research and scholarship to serve as the basis for improving student services in Ghanaian universities are limited. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of the work by deans of students at Ghanaian universities and to further understand the ways in which their experiences, values and philosophy influence their roles on campus. In particular, the deans of students' understanding of their work in providing student services, promoting student learning, student engagement, student development and success is of special interest in this study.</p><p>Available literature on traditional and innovative models of student affairs practices in the United States served as the theoretical framework of the study. Interviews, observations, and document analysis were used as sources of data collection in four selected Ghanaian universities.</p><p>Research findings from the data analysis showed that the traditional leadership mindset of many Ghanaian university staff members conflicted with the more liberal orientation of many students, leading to student-staff tension on the university campuses. I also found out that many deans of students' offices in Ghanaian universities use an administrative-centered model of student affairs practice which is often bureaucratic and less student-centered.</p><p>Again, the study revealed that many students were not satisfied with the services provided by the deans of students' offices. While the deans of students perceive students as children who need parental care on campus, students are demanding more innovative and progressive approaches to providing student services on campus. Both students and staff acknowledged inadequate resources as a major challenge in the service delivery efforts of the deans of students.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Boakye-Yiadom, Michael"],"institution":"Ohio University","degree_name":"Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)","degree_level":"doctoral","degree_discipline":"Higher Education (Education)","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Mather, Peter"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2012,"date_issued":"2012","date_published":"2012","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:35:52Z","subjects":["Higher Education","Higher Education Administration","Higher Education in Ghana","Student Affairs in Ghana","Deans of Students in Ghanaian Universities","Student Needs and Services in Ghanaian Universities","Perceptions of the Work of Deans of Students in Ghana."],"languages":["English"],"rights":["unrestricted","This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws."],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1347885543","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Mather, Peter"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Boakye-Yiadom, Michael"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2012"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Ohio University / OhioLINK"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Electronic Thesis or Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Higher Education (Education)"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["doctoral"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Ohio University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Higher Education","Higher Education Administration","Higher Education in Ghana","Student Affairs in Ghana","Deans of Students in Ghanaian Universities","Student Needs and Services in Ghanaian Universities","Perceptions of the Work of Deans of Students in Ghana."]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["English"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["unrestricted","This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. 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Available literature on traditional and innovative models of student affairs practices in the United States served as the theoretical framework of the study. Interviews, observations, and document analysis were used as sources of data collection in four selected Ghanaian universities.
Research findings from the data analysis showed that the traditional leadership mindset of many Ghanaian university staff members conflicted with the more liberal orientation of many students, leading to student-staff tension on the university campuses. I also found out that many deans of students' offices in Ghanaian universities use an administrative-centered model of student affairs practice which is often bureaucratic and less student-centered.
Again, the study revealed that many students were not satisfied with the services provided by the deans of students' offices. While the deans of students perceive students as children who need parental care on campus, students are demanding more innovative and progressive approaches to providing student services on campus. Both students and staff acknowledged inadequate resources as a major challenge in the service delivery efforts of the deans of students.
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Available literature on traditional and innovative models of student affairs practices in the United States served as the theoretical framework of the study. Interviews, observations, and document analysis were used as sources of data collection in four selected Ghanaian universities.
Research findings from the data analysis showed that the traditional leadership mindset of many Ghanaian university staff members conflicted with the more liberal orientation of many students, leading to student-staff tension on the university campuses. I also found out that many deans of students' offices in Ghanaian universities use an administrative-centered model of student affairs practice which is often bureaucratic and less student-centered.
Again, the study revealed that many students were not satisfied with the services provided by the deans of students' offices. While the deans of students perceive students as children who need parental care on campus, students are demanding more innovative and progressive approaches to providing student services on campus. Both students and staff acknowledged inadequate resources as a major challenge in the service delivery efforts of the deans of students.
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