African-American College and University Presidents Perceptions of Effective Leadership Attributes

This study examined how socio-demographic factors of gender, age, institution location, institutional Carnegie Classification, degree of residential students, and size of enrollment relate to the perceptions that African-American college and university presidents had relative to effective leadership attributes. The research was a quantitative study that employed a descriptive survey with correlational design. No statistically significant differences were found between the perceptions of successful leadership attributes in the study based on gender, education, position prior to the presidency, years of experience, school type, or location. Leadership attributes of Energetic with Stamina and Ideological Beliefs were found to be statistically significant at the 0.05 level by age. The mean score of 5.07 or a descriptive ranking was reported for all leadership attributes. The leadership attribute of Sensitivity and Respect was found to be statistically significant at the 0.05 level by Carnegie Classification. Out of 37 leadership attributes, 16 were found to be statistically significant at the 0.05 level by degree of residential students. The results of the study can be used to guide curriculum development and search committee selection processes.