Leadership in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education

This course is open to professionals who want to learn more about higher education leadership for a changing demographic or who are interested in developing their own leadership skills. The idea that people can be taught to lead is not without skepticism. Reasonable people, even some academics in the field, point to important traits, skills, and qualities that are seen in many notable leaders and argue that certain qualities needed for effective leadership are not easily transferred. To accept this premise and conclude that some people are born leaders and that others should not be expected to lead at all is to fall into the wrong end of the logical spectrum. We believe that leadership can be taught if it is nurtured, that most people have a range of strengths on which to build their own philosophy and approach to leadership, and that leadership development programs, if done well, can be transformative for organizers and participants. Course Objectives: Understand the historical narrative of institutions and the institutional structures that have created instances of inclusion and exclusion in colleges and universities. Describe how transformational leadership is applied to diversity, equity, and inclusion in a complex and contentious environment. Compare legislative, governance, and public accountability and expectations in relation to contemporary issues in higher education. Analyze the strategic diversity planning process and documents of a selected institution. Recommend innovations and opportunities for transformational change at various levels of the ecological model, using the strategic diversity planning process as a tool.