Understanding the Motivations of Future Minority Serving Institution Presidents

Abstract

Given the critical role that Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) play in U.S. higher education, it is vital that they have motivated and effective leadership. Ensuring that MSIs have strong leadership is essential to accomplish their goals of serving low-income, first-generation, and students of color, providing a 21st century curricula, and preparing students for the workforce and beyond. The purpose of this study is to explore why leaders pursue the presidency at MSIs. How, specifically, have they developed an interest in and passion for leading MSIs? What draws them to lead this type of institution? We use Greenleaf’s (1977/2002) Servant Leadership model as a framework for this study and our analysis. Our findings indicate that aspiring presidents are focused on the unique purpose of MSIs, a desire to “give back” or “pay it forward” in terms of their experience, a passion for helping underserved students, a commitment to ensuring people of color are in leadership positions, and an interest in solidifying the future of MSIs.

Keywords

• servant leadership
• motivation
• minority serving institutions (msis)
• university presidents