EDUC 6752 political environment at your institution

EDUC 6752 political environment at your institution

Week 4 Discussion: In the Middle

In this week’s video, Dr. Adrianna Kezar, professor at the University of Southern California, discusses ways in which middle-level leaders can lead and support change at their institutions. In Chapter 22 of the course text (McClellan & Stringer, 2016), Stringer discusses the influences of the political environment in which higher education professionals work. In what ways might political issues work against or undermine collaborative leadership strategies such as those Kezar recommends?

Post an example of an experience in which you were required to navigate a complex political environment at your institution. Explain how the politics of your institution may have worked against the collaborative leadership practices you were trying to achieve.

Week 5 Discussion: The Reality of Trade-Offs

In Chapter 4 of the course text (McClellan & Stringer, 2016), Schuh suggests there are a number of factors influencing the financial health of institutions that may lead to extensive risks for both students and institutions. Zachry and Coghlan (2010) describe how institutions seek out and allocate resources in support of student success. The institutions described in their study all employed some external funding, including their Lumina-funded Achieving the Dream grant, to achieve their goals. In this week’s Discussion, consider what an institution without external funding might do to accomplish some of the reforms of the Achieving the Dream initiative

Post a response to the following:

As a higher education leader at an institution without the benefit of external funding, what types of investments would be your highest priority and why?

What types of investments would be lower priority and why? What would you do differently from the Achieving the Dream institutions described in the Zachry and Coghlan (2010) study?

Week 4 Assignment: Course Project: Analyze Resource Implications

When planning for change in student support programs, you must consider myriad financial and human resources implications. For this part of your Course Project, you will determine which resources will be required to make your program a reality. Consider the current financial and political environment at your institution when analyzing the necessary resources. How will you use data to guide your decisions in allocating financial and human resources?

Prepare a 2- to 3-page paper outlining the following:

· The financial resources required for the new program

· The human resources required to start and sustain the new program

· A description of the roles and responsibilities of the relevant staff

· A rationale to support your decisions