Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

First Advisor

Colette Taylor

Second Advisor

Matthew Campbell

Third Advisor

Paige Gardner

Abstract

Implementing organizational change within complex organizations involves responding to external forces that impact business operations. Leaders guide their organizations through planned change processes by implementing strategic initiatives that affect the entire organization, impact business operations, and influence organizational values (Nadler & Tushman, 1989; Tushman & Nadler, 2012). Community colleges implement change initiatives on behalf of historically, non-dominant students to address systemic issues through developing more inclusive higher education practices (Harris & Wood, 2016; Tate IV, 2008). The following study investigated a matrix-structured community college district located in the Pacific Northwest that implemented change across multiple dimensions to improve student success outcomes for systemically minoritized populations. The purpose of the study was to investigate perceptions held by leaders and staff associated with change management implementation within a multidimensional higher education organization with a focus on Black male student outcomes. Through a qualitative, case study approach, the study analyzed data collected within six focus group interviews with 12 participants. Analysis of RQ1 established four major themes including high turnover/attrition, effectiveness of change, effectiveness of communication, and cross-functional teams; and RQ2 established three major themes including heightened awareness of opportunity gaps, shared vision, and cross-functional teams. Findings produced primary recommendations (integrate Achieving the Dream (ATD) into the formal structure of the district, clarifying decision-making and processes, improve transparency and communication, and thoughtful collaboration) and recommendations for future research (1) contributes to emerging literature on multidimensional higher education institutions; (2) improving educational experiences for Black male community college students; and (3) understanding organizational change processes on community college campuses.

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