Purpose: This study aims to investigate the impact of academic leadership on the organizational commitment of faculty members in private universities in Punjab. Work engagement was examined as a mediator, and co-worker support was considered as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional approach with convenience sampling. Regression and correlation analyses were used for hypothesis testing. Social exchange theory guided the exploration of academic leadership's impact on faculty members' organizational commitment. Findings: Results of the current study indicated a positive and significant effect of academic leadership on organizational commitment. Work engagement was identified as a partial mediator in this relationship. However, co-worker support was found to be an insignificant moderator, indicating no substantial influence on the relationship between academic leadership and work engagement among faculty members in private-sector universities. Originality/value: The similarity of the paper is less than 18%.