Learning Resources

Abstract: Our School of Education received a grant to mentor new educational leaders through an induction program. Acknowledging that the school’s knowledge and use of digital tools was lagging, our dean of education proposed incorporating technology into the induction program. Recognizing that social media is widely used for both professional development and networking, we implemented the use of Google+ Communities, specifically Google Hangouts, for mentorship, collaboration, and professional training. We focus on how embracing social media led to shifting our approach—challenging mind-sets, technology skills, and past practice. Basically, we needed to change our practice to meet the needs of our learners.

Abstract: These are times of unprecedented change in higher education. Routine or even strategic change will not be enough to sustain institutions in the near future. Challenging times require leaders with strong skills for problem solving, crisis management and resiliency in rapidly changing environments—in other words, transformative leadership. Transformative leadership skills are distinctive among leadership skills. Based on an ABC framework, the article describes connections between the As (analytics, accreditation, accountability), Bs (decisions whether to build, buy, or buddy with partners), and Cs (culture, collaboration, and courage) that it takes to be transformative.