Higher Education Leadership: Challenging Tradition and Forging Possibilities

Sharing the new and evolving approaches to higher education leadership that foster liberatory systemic change. Higher Education Leadership offers a groundbreaking exploration of leadership in higher education. Rozana Carducci, Jordan Harper, and Adrianna Kezar challenge traditional paradigms and ideologies that hinder progress—advocating instead for liberatory systemic change. The authors highlight new and evolving interdisciplinary leadership approaches for resisting and dismantling oppressive systems, including neoliberalism and white supremacy, within and beyond higher education organizations. This comprehensive textbook synthesizes decades of leadership scholarship and dissects the limitations of hierarchical and individual-centered models prevalent in higher education. Through critical analysis, the authors unveil process-centered, shared-power, and equity-oriented approaches that prioritize liberation. By translating classic and revolutionary theories, they empower current and aspiring higher education leaders to reimagine their roles to create more meaningful impact. The authors bring theory to life by exploring the specific context of higher education and providing practical applications. Their survey also identifies gaps in knowledge and methodologies and provides ideas for future leadership research. They invite readers to view leadership as both a problem to be interrogated and dismantled as well as a pathway to a more liberatory future. By recognizing these dual possibilities of leadership, the authors open the door to powerful insights while also offering a cautionary tale. With enriching case studies, vignettes, and discussion questions, Higher Education Leadership serves as an essential resource for graduate classrooms and professionals seeking to critique existing leadership practices and forge new pathways that foster equity and systemic transformation. This thought-provoking textbook offers a new vision for higher education scholars and leaders committed to fostering inclusive, anti-racist, and equitable universities.