Recently, researchers and practitioners have found that the use of support groups is a productive method for enhancing collegiality, solving problems, and finding solutions in a "climate of mutual trust, respect, and assistance." Although the graduate school curriculum may have been helpful in planting knowledge, growth occurs in the…

Although all academic leaders do not begin their administrative careers as department chairs, for faculty this is a common first step. And it is reasonable to assume that strong department chairs are likely to become college deans, provosts, and presidents. In this chapter, the authors examine the experiences of academicians-turned-administrators,…

Leading the modern university in the twenty-first century is a nearly impossible task. According to Parker Palmer (2006), the answer for all university presidents and faculty alike lies not in looking outward at competing demands, but in facing inward. Palmer would agree that new leadership is needed for new times, but it will not come from…

Leadership education has become the public education reform strategy of the new century. Spotlighting leadership education presumes that improved leadership preparation and development will yield better leadership, management, and organizational practices which, in turn, will improve teaching, student learning and student performance in schools…

This study used qualitative research procedures to evaluate the learning impact of a long term (3.5 years) leadership education program on participants' cognitive models of leadership. Situated learning theory (Lave & Wenger, 1991) and communities of practice principles (Wenger, McDermott, & Snyder, 2002) were used to develop research…

A largely unseen phenomenon is shaping the direction of higher education today: the growth of leadership programs. These programs are hidden ladders that help the talented move up toward university presidencies. Their number and importance are rapidly increasing, and they will more and more determine who makes decisions in higher education. More…

In this paper, the author discusses the history and mission of the Networked Learning Communities programme of the National College of School Leadership (NCSL). The programme was launched in Autumn 2001. By March the following year 150 Networked Learning Communities made submissions to the NCSL and 41 networks (from Berwick upon Tweed to Penzance)…

Distance education might be a viable alternative to preparing principal candidates amid a national shortage of qualified applicants. Distance education has the potential of preparing more candidates in less time than the traditional method of face-to-face instruction. Distance education allows institutions to reach candidates in rural areas that…

The National College for School Leadership was set up in November 2000. In its short life it has become seen, in Tony Bush's words as "a major influence, arguably the major influence, on school leadership, management and administration in England and beyond" (Bush 2004: 243). Expanding on Gronn (2003) who argues that bodies like the NCSL…

This article describes the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program at University of Pennsylvania. It specifically discusses the experience of Charles Crockett, one of its earliest alumni. Crockett says the Leadership Education and Development program helped him to broaden the scope of his educational and career goals by convincing him…

As Butler University President Bobby Fong was reviewing applications a few years ago for a national fellows program that grooms future leaders of higher education, he casually asked how many Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) were under consideration. None. The reason was that not one applied. A disappointed Fong urged the American Council on…

The mission of the Broad Foundations is to transform K-12 urban public education through better governance, management, labor relations and competition; make significant contributions to advance major scientific and medical research; foster public appreciation of contemporary art by increasing access for audiences worldwide; and lead and…

This article presents findings from a case study on the National College of School Leadership (NCSL) in Nottingham, England, an exemplary program that bridges the theory-to-practice gap using distributed leadership philosophies to develop leadership among school administrators and has manifested a positive impact on school leadership in England.…

Strategic leadership is perhaps the area where undergraduate students have the least experience. Therefore, a focus on developing these skills is critical for college-level leadership educators. Teaching strategic leadership requires that educators design programs that make explicit, direct, and formal links between theory and practical…

Educators must develop leadership studies programs that prepare students to deal with the reality of a diverse world so they are able to handle constant change as they lead in the 21st century. The purpose of this paper is to consider a variety of questions that need to be answered when developing core curricula for college and university…