Liberal arts colleges in crisis a study of changing leadership at Eureka College.

Format:

Book

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Bryant, James Sears.

Contributor:

University of Pennsylvania. Education.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Education, Higher--Administration.

Education, Higher.

Education, Higher Education Administration.

0446.

Local Subjects:

Education, Higher Education Administration.

0446.

Physical Description:

157 pages

Contained In:

Dissertation Abstracts International 74-05A(E).

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

text file

Summary:

This case study explores the influence of a changing and more diversified leadership on a struggling religiously-affiliated institution, Eureka College of Illinois. Eureka is a liberal arts institution founded by the Disciples of Christ denomination of the Church of Christ during the "Emergent Era" of college building in the mid-1800s. Historically the College has had leadership either tied to the institution by alumni status, religious affiliation or regional identity. Recently, Eureka broadened its leadership for the first time in history by bringing in a new President, numerous key administrators and several Board members with no such previous ties to the institution.

This study seeks to answer the question of what influence, if any, has this changed leadership had on the process and content of leadership and governance at Eureka. It seeks to gauge the shifting impressions of key leaders at Eureka as to the effectiveness of the new leadership style and substance, as well as chronicle the progress of the college through one of its most defining times.

The study divided the leadership of Eureka into three categories. Past Board members and administrators were studied, as were new Board members and administrators. In addition, particular attention was paid to existing Trustees and key administrators who remained with Eureka after the changing leadership came on board. Data was gathered through interview and documents. Numerous sources of validation were employed both with internal as well as external sources.

The goal of the study was to at least find preliminary evidence as to the influences of changed leadership on institutions such as Eureka, with a view for providing a starting point for future research as additional evidence emerges.

The findings that emerged from the study seem to suggest that by diversifying leadership, the Institution experienced a much more energized and proactive Board. This increased attention to governance affected all Trustees, whether new to the Institution or not. These findings may also have relevance in the corporate as well as the non-profit and higher education sector.

Notes:

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 74-05(E), Section: A.

Adviser: Larry Moneta.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 2007.

Local Notes:

School code: 0175.

ISBN:

9781267847621

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.