Global Advanced Research Journal of Educational Research and Reviews (GARJERR) ISSN: 2315-5132

June 2014, 3(3): pp. 050-056

Copyright © 2014 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Decision-Making Practices of Presidents at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States of America

¹Brandon K. Dumas, ²Chanika Jones, ³Victior Mbarika, ⁴Jarrett Landor and ⁴Geoffrey M. Kituyi

¹Office of the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-9723, U.S.A.

²International Center for Information Technology and Development, College of Business, P.O. Box 9723, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-9723, U.S.A.

³International Center for Information Technology and Development, College of Business, P.O. Box 9723, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-9723, U.S.A.

⁴International Center for Information Technology and Development, College of Business, P.O. Box 9723, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-9723, U.S.A.

Corresponding author Email: kimayoka@gmail.com

Accepted 29 May, 2014

Abstract

This study focused on the decision-making practices of presidents at selected Historically Black Colleges and Universities in an attempt to understand how presidents respond to the more pervasive challenges confronting their institutions through creativity in strategic planning. To investigate this and the related research questions, 17 current and past HBCU presidents were interviewed.  Participants included those from public and private, urban and rural institutions. This was a qualitative study that utilized a phenomenological research methodology.  The data were analyzed in terms of frequency of recurrent themes and interpreted in relation to the study objectives. Most of the participants reported some degree of shared decision-making, although several clearly stated the president was responsible for the final decisions.  Not surprisingly, the majority of participants identified the need for creativity in strategic planning in order to attract and retain high-quality human talent.

Keywords: Decision-Making, Decision-Making, Leadership styles, College Presidents, Historically Black Colleges and Universities