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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2022
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Educational Leadership and Policy
First Advisor
Carolyn M. Shields
Abstract
Advisor: Dr. Carolyn M. ShieldsMajor: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Sustainability challenges across the globe have led to increased pressure upon organizational leaders to address these complex issues facing the environment. Higher education plays an important role in this effort by preparing students to address these global challenges. Institutions vary in how sustainability is implemented into the university structures which could create detrimental outcomes to student learning around sustainability. This dissertation work explores the ways senior leadership at Wayne State University are influenced by, and understand sustainability as well as the ways senior-level decisions are made on its implementation. This qualitative case study is based on eight interviews conducted with senior leadership. This overarching question is supported by five research questions with various sub-questions. The study also utilized existing institutional data and information regarding sustainability initiatives at the institution. Utilizing these data sources, the study analysis revealed themes that included knowledge of sustainability and personal experiences with sustainability as common threads that influenced how senior leadership understand and implement related initiatives. The study had several findings including that competing influences constrain resources for sustainability; sustainability is not an institutional priority; and past experiences with sustainability informed senior leadership’s decision-making on sustainability initiatives. The following recommendations were derived from the study, which include 1) students to mobilize around sustainability in order to advance university initiatives and make it an institutional priority; 2) Faculty should include sustainability-related subject matter in related courses to improve institutional sustainability; 3) Administration must increase visibility of information related to sustainability through communication channels to help foster a better understanding of opportunities and options involving sustainability within the campus community; 4) The Office of Campus Sustainability must work across campus colleges, schools, and departments to advance objectives related to the sustainability plan. 5) The Office of Campus Sustainability must advance campus-wide sustainability initiatives that generates behavior and institutional change related to sustainability. These recommendations provide institutional context and guides for future sustainability implementation.
Recommended Citation
Pierson, Daryl M., "Sustainability, Senior Leadership, And Higher Education" (2022). Wayne State University Dissertations. 3767.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/3767