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Category: Research

Revealing how to lead change in Africa by Africans: A review of It Takes a Village 

In this book review, Chibuzor Azubuike takes a deep dive into It Takes a Village: Leading Social Change in Africa (2023) by Nigerian scholar Onyedikachi Ekwerike, Ph.D., who is currently a lecturer at the Institute for Leadership Advancement in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.  

This begins with a foreword from Nyasha GuramatunhuCooper, Ph.D. She writes with the endearment of a mother who is proud of her son’s achievement, and yet firmly charges readers, using parables, to not only read this book but implement Ekwerike’s submission. As a Zimbabwean leadership scholar, she is excited to read a leadership book by a fellow African, given that African scholars are under-represented in leadership curriculum and literature. She, however stated that she could be scared if anyone reads this book and does not take positive actions towards social change. 

Photo of the book cover: It Takes a VillageIn the book’s introduction, Ekwerike recounts his own story. Through leading a mental health organization in Nigeria, as well as being part of leadership development programs like the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he realized that there was a need for more in order to do more, which led him to a doctoral program and ultimately to writing this book. He went through the learning process and then wrote this book to teach young people how to learn social change effectively. This book is a product of qualitative research work for his Ph.D. dissertation.  

In chapter one, The Problem with Nigeria, Africa, you will notice that Nigeria is crossed out, coupled with the use of illustrations. Both styles are used in Okechukwu Ofili’s books, a Nigerian author who writes with sarcasm. In Ekwerike’s book, Nigeria represents Africa, as he says he is providing a holistic approach, while the context and research for this book is centered in Nigeria, the problems and processes to address those problems apply across the continent.     Continue reading “Revealing how to lead change in Africa by Africans: A review of It Takes a Village “

Cultivating Leadership for a Thriving Future: Staley School scholars present at international conference

Kansas State University faculty and doctoral students participated in the 25th annual International Leadership Association (ILA) Global Conference. The conference took place online Oct. 3-4, 2023, and in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Oct. 12-15.

The ILA is the largest worldwide professional community committed to leadership scholarship, practice, development, and education. Their mission is to advance leadership knowledge and practice for a better world.

The conference theme, Cultivating Leadership for a Thriving Future, speaks to the essential role leadership educators, practitioners, and researchers play in convening and holding space, fostering rich and open dialogue, and creating opportunities for mutual learning and appreciation of different perspectives and ways of being. Through this kind of leadership, we can build a future based on hope, mutual respect and the common good.

Staley School scholars participated in both the in-person and online sections of the conference. Their scholarship reflects the Staley School of Leadership’s research priorities: advancing leadership learning and development, building civic capacity, and leading change.

“The scholarship presented by K-State students and faculty reflect the kind of collaboration and innovation needed to advance leadership education in higher education and public leadership research and practice,” said Trisha Gott, Ed.D., assistant professor and associate dean of the Staley School of Leadership.

Following is a list of the presentations and their contributors: Continue reading “Cultivating Leadership for a Thriving Future: Staley School scholars present at international conference”

Leading Outside the Lines: Leadership communication scholars present at national leadership education conference 

From left: Michaela Saunders; Chibuzor Azubuike; Keyla Harrison; Tamas Kowalik; Innocent Assoman; Keyhan Shams; Xatyiswa (Exy) Maqashalala; Dr. Kerry Priest

Several leadership communication doctoral students represented Kansas State University at the 2023 Association of Leadership Educators conference (ALE), June 16-19 in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference theme, “leading outside the lines” invited educators to consider the ways they teach, study, and practice leadership beyond classrooms and in communities.

“A major cornerstone of K-State’s Leadership Communication Ph.D. program and Third Floor Research partnership is a community-engaged approach to teaching, learning, and research,” said Kerry Priest, Ph.D., professor and director of the leadership communication program and conference participant and presenter. “Our graduate leadership educators showcased innovative educational practices they are utilizing to create impactful, culturally relevant leadership learning and development for students, organizations, and communities.” Continue reading “Leading Outside the Lines: Leadership communication scholars present at national leadership education conference “

Staley School team reflects on international professional development opportunity for leadership educators

Several Staley School of Leadership team members Mike Finnegan, Ph.D., Keyhan Shams, and Kerry Priest, Ph.D., represented Kansas State University at the International Leadership Association’s (ILA) Leadership Education Academy (LEA). The intensive training program took place between July 31 – Aug. 3, in St. Paul, Minnesota. LEA is designed to build the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a leadership educator in a variety of settings and provides professional mentoring and networking opportunities.

Keyhan Shams, Kerry Priest and Mike Finnegan

The program was limited to 80 participants, including junior and senior faculty, student affairs professionals, higher education administrators, coaches and consultants, and community trainers and developers from around the globe. Participants experienced leadership theories and models, instructional strategies, and professional vision. Central to the training was a guided process of course or program planning, including a peer coaching process. Continue reading “Staley School team reflects on international professional development opportunity for leadership educators”