Shaping Innovative Change in Women's Liberal Arts Colleges: Distributed or Hybrid Leadership?

• In Event: Navigating Change Across Institutional Contexts From Different Perspectives

Abstract

Women’s liberal arts colleges (WLACs) have unique roles in expanding postsecondary opportunity for women and producing women leaders in society as a whole. A small number of WLACs has persisted over time but faces significant challenges. These challenges include the ascendance of co-education in higher education, the shift in student markets toward institutions and curricula perceived as leading toward better-paying jobs, the increase in tuition prices coupled with steep discount rates, and the relative decline in endowments and financial capacity. This case-study focuses on the practice of leadership among central administrators, faculty, and professional staff in innovative changes at WLACs. Results suggest that leadership practice is stretched across campus stakeholders, indicating how and why WLACs may position to thrive.

Authors

• Jarrett B. Warshaw, Florida Atlantic University

• Erin B. Ciarimboli, University of Connecticut

• Ethan Swingle, Florida Atlantic University