Academic leadership of the Department Head at the University of Puerto Rico: An empirical analysis of contemporary competencies and challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23824/ase.v0i44.1008Downloads
Abstract
Academic leadership constitutes a fundamental dimension in modern university management, especially in public institutions such as the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), where department directors face multiple challenges arising from external pressures, technological changes, and transformations in educational models. This research analyzes, through a quantitative approach based on validated instruments from the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), the academic competencies perceived as most important by department directors, as well as their self-perceived mastery of these skills. The results reveal that although academic leadership competencies are highly valued (M = 4.28 on a Likert scale), there is a significant gap between importance and mastery, especially in areas of pedagogical innovation, technological integration, and collaborative work. Contemporary literature (2015–2024) corroborates the urgent need for structured professional development programs and formal mentoring to strengthen academic leadership in the Puerto Rican university context. This study contributes to the understanding of leadership development in Latin American higher education and provides specific recommendations for the professionalization of academic leadership. This study and its recommendations can be applied to a variety of resource-limited educational contexts.
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academic leadership, department director, higher education, competencies, University of Puerto RicoLicense
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