University Crisis Leadership Through Caring

Abstract

With the steadily increasing occurrence of disasters (natural and man-made), university crisis leadership has become a staple discussion in higher education. This chapter puts forward caring as an important element of university crisis leadership, based on stakeholders' observations and perceptions. In addition to a literature review, an account of an empirical study is given on perceived relationships between caring administrative leadership and authentic academic caring. The study was completed at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Data was collected from a convenience sample of university students (n=210). An exploratory quantitative research design was used. Through correlation analysis, associations were found between points of UVI's academic caregiving (e.g., operations, colleges/schools, and instruction), and caring administrative leadership. The findings spotlight qualities of academic caring that should be exhibited by university administrative leaders in the event of a crisis.