The university leadership center factors affecting organizational design, administration, and governance.

摘要

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing the design, governance, and administration of the university leadership center. The research explored (1) the forces and events associated with the founding of the centers; (2) the centers' leadership philosophies and development approaches; (3) the centers' programs and services, targeted populations, and desired outcomes; (4) the nature of the centers' research and how the research is used; (5) the physical, financial, human, and other resources required by the centers; (6) the centers' methods of assessment; and (7) the challenges faced by the centers that may impact their missions, operations, and governance.; This study used a comparative case study analysis approach to investigate 3 university leadership centers, each representing a different organizational placement within a university structure. Data were collected from the participating sites through semi-structured interviews, archival documents, and site observations. The cases were cross-analyzed to compare and contrast relevant data points and identify themes for discussion.; This study concluded that (a) a center's founding is driven by a coalescence of campus support, external funding, and unmet campus needs; (b) organizational placement influences center mission, culture, operations, and services; (c) center mission and services extend beyond the targeted populations; (d) leadership center directors have latitude in moving beyond the mission of the host department or school; (e) a new leadership center has different needs than an established center; (f) leadership center research expands the understanding of leadership, but also improves the leadership development process; (g) leadership centers do not consistently use formal assessments to monitor and measure program effectiveness; (h) the leadership library is a reflection of its clientele; and (i) leadership centers utilize contemporary leadership theories and leadership development approaches.