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The relationship between deans' transformational leadership skills and student graduation rates in vocational colleges

<p> The Relationship between Deans' Transformational Leadership Skills and Student Graduation Rates in Vocational Colleges by Sumer Avila The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the relationship between San Joaquin Valley College deans&rsquo; transformational leadership skills and student graduation rates, as measured by the Transformational Leadership Skills Inventory (TLSi). Additionally, this study sought to determine why specific transformational leadership skills, if any, impacted student graduation rates based on the personal experiences of the deans. Transformational leadership skills were measured using the Transformational Leadership Skills Inventory (TLSi), a 360-degree survey that gathers data from up to five stakeholder groups. The TLSi measures 10 elements of leadership: Character/Integrity, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Sustained Innovation, Diversity, Personal/Interpersonal Skills, Political Intelligence, Problem-solving/Decision-making, Team-building, and Visionary Leadership. The TLSi results and student graduation rate data were used to address the first 11 research questions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to address research question #12. The quantitative components of this study were measured with a convenience sample, and snowball sampling was used for the qualitative component. The findings indicated that three of the transformational leadership skills (Character and Integrity, Personal and Interpersonal Skills, and Team Building) have a mild positive relationship with student graduation rates; but there is no relationship between the remaining seven transformational leadership skills (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Sustained Innovation, Diversity, Political Intelligence, Problem Solving and Decision Making, and Visionary Leadership ) and student graduation rates. In addition, this study found that there was little difference between the deans and their employees&rsquo; ratings of the deans&rsquo; transformational leadership skills. Qualitative findings indicated Personal and Interpersonal skills of Deans foster relationships with faculty and students positively impacting student graduation rates. Based upon the findings and conclusions from the study, recommendations were made regarding the utilization of college leader training programs.</p>

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10036397
Date26 March 2016
CreatorsAvila, Sumer Ann
PublisherChapman University
Source SetsProQuest.com
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typethesis

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