Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: A Collaborative Syllabus for Higher Education Leadership book cover with bright geometric shapes in background
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Open Access PDF

doi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa11

ISBN: 978-1-64317-593-5

May 2026

3.2 MB

Metrics: 1480 views | 387 downloads

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ISBN: 978-1-64317-592-8

May 2026

The Playbook

This dynamic resource brings together scholarship, mentor perspectives, and structured reflective engagements to help readers examine leadership principles, identities, and theories of change. The playbook invites readers to learn through reflection in and on practice. Download The Playbook [PDF] or explore The Playbook online.

Reading Group Guide

The Reading Group Guide [PDF] contains discussion questions to facilitate group reading. There are additional discussion questions for each chapter within the text and on the chapter webpages.

Book Videos

These videos extend the work of Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn by bringing contributors’ voices into closer conversation with the written chapters. We include them here to deepen engagement with the ideas developed across the book and to offer additional points of entry into how leadership is learned, practiced, and reflected upon in higher education contexts. The videos are intended to support readers as they move between theory and practice—between conceptual frameworks and the lived realities of institutional leadership. They are meant to make visible the thinking behind leadership in action and to support readers in developing their own reflective practice alongside the contributors.

The Impetus for Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn

Chris Gallagher and Linda Adler-Kassner reflect on their experiences in higher education, discussing the challenges, tensions, and motivations that inspired them to write Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn.

Intentionally Learning to Lead

Beth Brunk, Sheila Carter-Tod, and Staci Perryman-Clark reflect on their early leadership journeys, discussing how self-awareness, personality assessments, and learning on the go shaped their authentic leadership. They explore the challenges of showing up consistently across personal and professional spaces and emphasize the value of embracing unexpected opportunities to grow as a leader.

A Moment Requiring Leadership for Transformational Change

Chris Gallagher and Linda Adler-Kassner highlight critical leadership moments that demand decisive action to create meaningful institutional change.

Leadership as Serving

Linda Adler-Kassner illustrates how effective leaders prioritize service, community, and the development of those they lead.

North Stars, Principles, and Practices

Chris Gallagher and Linda Adler-Kassner explore the guiding values, principles, and practices that help leaders stay grounded while navigating complex challenges.


Chapter Videos

You can also find these chapter-specific video resources embedded within each chapter’s page.

Chapter 1: A Case Study in Presidential Leadership in Perilous Times | Elaine Maimon

Chapter 2: Leading Like a Teacher | Emily Isaacs

Chapter 3: Learning to Lead without Authority | Chris Blankenship

Chapter 4: Academic Leadership Beyond the Academy | Heidi Estrem

Chapter 6: Lessons from a Black Feminist (Interim) Dean | Staci Perryman-Clark

Chapter 8: Listening as a(n Incomplete) Leader | Beth Brunk

Chapter 15: Personal, Professional Identities, Belonging, and Change | Sheila Carter-Tod