NSU Writing and Communication Executive Director Publishes chapter in Leading through Crisis, Conflict, and Change in Higher Education

Kevin Dvorak, Ph.D., Executive Director of the NSU Writing and Communication (WCC) published “The FOCUS on Faculty Model of Crisis Leadership: Remote Leadership Support across Institutional Contexts,” in Leading through Crisis, Conflict, and Change in Higher Education, published by Magna Publications, 2020.

Dvorak’s chapter, coauthored by Russell Carpenter, Ph.D. (Eastern Kentucky University), Michael G. Strawser, Ph.D. (University of Central Florida), Timothy Ford, Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma), and Masha Krsmanovic, Ph.D. (University of Southern Mississippi), to provide faculty development professionals a model to “support and enhance student learning” (19). Dvorak et al. developed the FOCUS model:

F- frame the situation,

O- identify urgent opportunities,

C- communicate your message,

U- understand stakeholder needs,

S- suggest tangible action steps,

to assist faculty in times of crisis, in order to enhance student learning experiences. This five step framework for institutional leadership addresses the need for accessible leadership models during the era of remote instruction.

The authors write, “While this concept of leadership amid remote delivery of institutional programs and courses might differ from traditionally defined leadership, several considerations rise to the top: the need for timely information among a variety of priorities for quality and accessibility” (22). The FOCUS model not only addresses these needs appropriately, but also allows for several paths for institutions to implement.

Other topics discussed throughout the book include challenges of educating students on campus response to COVID issues, the need for leadership, crisis response and communication, change of management from academic leadership, leadership in higher education, and more.

Leading through Crisis, Conflict, and Change in Higher Education is now available for purchase.

To learn more about the NSU Writing and Communication Center, visit https://www.nova.edu/wcc/.