Sydney Freeman, Jr. | University of Idaho (original) (raw)

Books by Sydney Freeman, Jr.

It is the intent of the CEOD for Public Health Practice textbook and Instructors manuel to spin o... more It is the intent of the CEOD for Public Health Practice textbook and Instructors manuel to spin off its instructional approach from that of the 5-E Learning Cycle model, which promotes student/learner inquiry and exploration as a process for learning science. The Learning Cycle, originally credited to Karplus and Thier and later modified by Roger Bybee for the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS) project, proposes that learning something new, or understanding something familiar in greater depth, involves making sense of both our prior experience and our first-hand knowledge gained from new explorations. As mentioned, the traditional 5-E model divides learning experiences into five stages: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Each stage builds upon the previous stage as students/learners construct new understanding and develop new skills.

Papers by Sydney Freeman, Jr.

This commentary defines negentropy in the research university and discusses its potential for sig... more This commentary defines negentropy in the research university and discusses its potential for significant impact on higher education.

Over the past decade, the number of advertised tenure-track faculty positions in higher education... more Over the past decade, the number of advertised tenure-track faculty positions in higher education institutions in the United States and abroad has steadily declined while the competition for these positions has become fierce. This situation has caused some scholars to seek perspectives into the factors that influence the tenure-track faculty selection process. This study investigates the elements that impact higher education graduate programme faculty searches. A total of 39 programme coordinators, department heads and deans who had previously participated in higher education programme searches were surveyed to explore their experiences and perceptions regarding the selection process. The findings indicate that the search committee's faculty votes within the higher education hiring programme are more influential in selection decisions than the votes of either a programme chair or dean. Additionally, participants identified a candidate's academic accomplishments, interview performance and presentation skills as the determining characteristics influencing their selection. These findings provide useful information to tenure-track job seekers who seek faculty positions at higher education graduate programmes in the United States and around the world.

Aim/Purpose Executive doctoral programs in higher education are under-researched. Schol... more Aim/Purpose Executive doctoral programs in higher education are under-researched. Scholars, administers, and students should be aware of all common delivery methods for higher education
graduate programs.
Background This paper provides a review and analysis of executive doctoral higher
education programs in the United States.
Methodology Executive higher education doctoral programs analyzed utilizing a qualitative
demographic market-based analysis approach.
Contribution This review of executive higher education doctoral programs provides one of
the first investigations of this segment of the higher education degree market.
Findings There are twelve programs in the United States offering executive higher education degrees, though there are less aggressively marketed programs described as executive-style higher education doctoral programs that could serve students with similar needs.
Recommendations for Practitioners
Successful executive higher education doctoral programs require faculty that have both theoretical
knowledge and practical experience in higher education. As appropriate, these programs should
include tenure-line, clinical-track, and adjunct faculty who have cabinet level experience in
higher education.
Recommendation for Researchers
Researchers should begin to investigate more closely the small but growing population of executive
doctoral degree programs in higher education.
Impact on Society Institutions willing to offer executive degrees in higher education will
provide training specifically for those faculty who are one step from an executive position will be impacted by having is trained in the area who also has real world experience.
Future Research
Case studies of students enrolled in executive higher education programs and research documenting university-employer goals for these programs would enhance our understanding of this branch of the higher education degree market.

Higher education as a field of study has developed over the last 120 years within the United Stat... more Higher education as a field of study has developed over the last 120 years within the United States. A growing segment of the field has developed at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). In particular there have been graduate programs that prepare its students to serve in leadership and faculty positions at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). The purpose of this study was to provide an historical overview of the program development of graduate certificates, concentrations, and degree programs in the field of higher education at MSIs. This study addresses one research question. What is the history of higher education as a field of study at Minority Serving Institutions? This study found that eight universities have held, or currently hold graduate programs in the field of higher education at HBCUs and the one such program at a HSI. This study provides a unique contribution to the literature base on higher education as a field of study as there has been no study that has addressed the unique contribution that MSIs have provided in developing skilled faculty, administrators, and policymakers taught in the field of higher education. Given that the MSI higher education programs have been virtually absent from the literature on higher education, it is the authors' hope that this study should shed a positive light on an invaluable segment of the field of higher education.

This study examined the social support networks of Black males in higher education administration... more This study examined the social support networks of Black males in higher education administration programs. Social network theory as framework to investigate the various mentoring experiences that has led to or hindered their success. Ten Black males from five predominantly White institutions (PWIs) participated in this study. Five distinctive themes emerged from this investigation including traditional and untraditional mentoring approaches; the experiences of homophily and mutiplexity within and amongst network groups; and a discussion of the mentoring experiences that impeded their success. Using a comparative case study approach, the results indicated that many of the participants developed extensive, primarily Black social support networks. These networks provided emotional, instrumental, informational, and affirmational support for the men of the study. In addition, these networks significantly contributed to the participants' doctoral student socialization. The findings suggest barriers to effective socialization still exist for Black male students. Additionally, there appears to be a particular need for race-specific support. This manuscript provides recommendations for assessment and implementation of socialization policies and practices as well as potential future research.

The community college systems of the United States are currently facing a leadership crisis; exis... more The community college systems of the United States are currently facing a leadership crisis; existing administrators are retiring at greater rates. And there is concern that there are not enough qualified individuals to replace leaders who are retiring, which is a substantial concern to individuals particularly in the community college educational sector. The objective of this paper is to discuss the history, current state, and future role of community college leadership programs in addressing this leadership challenge. This literature review explores the solution to the leadership shortage—community college leadership training programs—and describes the state of the various community college administrator pipelines. The paper concludes by arguing how these programs and leaders can remain relevant and take action in addressing this most important issue.

The college and university presidency is one of the most coveted positions in academe. Due to the... more The college and university presidency is one of the most coveted positions in academe. Due to the projected retirements of current Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidents, the researchers interviewed 21 current presidents, institutional board members, and presidential search firm personnel to explore what current HBCU leadership identifies as important mentoring/mentee practices, mentoring/mentee opportunities, and professional advice for HBCU presidential aspirants to consider. The findings, based on the coding and analysis of semi-structured qualitative interviews, revealed that self-awareness, focusing on the essential aspects of the job and not merely the perks, openness to being mentored and willingness to shadow a successful leader, experience in serving in various administrative capacities, participating in professional leadership development activities, earning of a terminal degree, displaying humility, understanding academic politics, and learning how to present oneself as an executive is important in the preparation of a leader of an HBCU.

This study examines the 21st-century Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidency.... more This study examines the 21st-century Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidency. First, we gathered information on the skills needed for the 21 st century HBCU president. Then, we examined the background of future HBCU presidents. Through an analysis and discussion of the responses of current HBCU presidents, trustees, 1 and presidential search consultants, we determined what skills are pertinent for HBCU presidential hopefuls to attain. Lastly, we made recommendations, based on our findings, regarding the skills needed for HBCU presidential aspirants to not only reach the presidency but to perform well upon doing so.

The purpose of this study was to examine university presidents' perceptions of their academic doc... more The purpose of this study was to examine university presidents' perceptions of their academic doctoral preparation program as it related to their preparation for the university presidency. Using a mixed methods approach, thirteen presidents shared what knowledge and competencies they perceived as having learned while in their doctoral program. The areas of knowledge they believed they developed were foundational knowledge, knowledge acquisition of context, and complex cognitive knowledge. The four competencies areas they believed they refined in their programs were interpersonal development, personal attributes, management, and communications. They identified fund-raising as an area they were not well prepared for.

1 Introduction he ount ility movement in higher edu tion is g ining momentum in the nited t tes@ ... more 1 Introduction he ount ility movement in higher edu tion is g ining momentum in the nited t tes@ httpXwwwFinsidehigheredF omA nd round the world@ ei hlerD PHIPAF sn re ent ye rsD there hs een growing pressure on higher edu tion institutions to demonstr te their v lue ...

Currently the study of higher education has been referred to as a multidisciplinary field. Consen... more Currently the study of higher education has been referred to as a multidisciplinary field. Consensus is continuing to evolve regarding both what is considered the appropriate coursework and the foundational knowledgebase of this field. The study of higher education is maturing and has the potential to transition from being seen as a field to being respected as an academic discipline. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the status of the core curriculum in higher education doctoral programs from the perspective of program directors with programs that required the completion of standardized coursework prior to beginning a dissertation. We used online survey analytic techniques to query program directors about their EdD and PhD programs in higher education , credit hours, and curricular content. Our study confirms previous work finding that there is common agreement in the subject matter areas of organization, leadership, administration, and history. What our work adds is that there is a growing consensus among higher education doctoral programs about the position of higher education law and finance in the curricular core. In addition , we find there is a growing interest in public policy and community colleges over time, with a majority of EdD programs including instruction in these areas. Nevertheless, majoritarian agreement does not meet at a level wherein consensus can be inferred, especially within PhD programs where requirements are more varied across programs. In addition, while there is an increasing trend in the inclusion of multiculturalism in higher education doctoral programming, multi-culturalism is not currently part of higher education's core. We conclude with research and practice implications for doctoral programs in higher education as a field of study.

This study is an examination of the hiring practices of top-ranked higher education administratio... more This study is an examination of the hiring practices of top-ranked higher education administration graduate programs in the United States. A total of 39 program coordinators, department heads, and/or deans were asked using qualitative methods to address the phenomenon of faculty hiring, including why a majority of top-ranked programs preferred hiring faculty who have doctorates from other top programs. One of the findings indicates that top-programs indeed hire them for very practical reason as identified in the study. Findings from this study should inform the decision-making of higher education program coordinators, department heads, and deans as they conduct faculty searches. You go to college not only for the latest knowledge but also to meet people from different backgrounds. That's the genius of the American higher-education system compared with the Europeans'. We don't simply skim the elite.

Background/Context: Although research on college and university presidents has grown in recent de... more Background/Context: Although research on college and university presidents has grown in recent decades, historically Black college and university (HBCU) presidents have rarely been
included in this research. We know almost nothing about the pathways to the HBCU presidency or the role that current presidents play in grooming future presidents. More literature is
needed in order to deepen our understanding of the HBCU presidency.
Purpose: With this study, we sought to capture the background characteristics of HBCU leaders, to lay the ground work for future studies on HBCU presidents, and to understand the role these leaders play in grooming and mentoring the next generation of HBCU leaders.
Research Design: In order to answer our research questions, we used a combination a surveys, document analysis, and qualitative interviews.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Our conclusions and recommendations point to a recycling of presidents at HBCUs as well as the disproportionate presence of long-term presidencies. Moreover, although grooming of future presidents is taking place, it is not systematic and would benefit from deeper thought and commitment.

This study investigated what strategies doctoral students could employ to ensure their competitiv... more This study investigated what strategies doctoral students could employ to ensure their competitiveness in higher education graduate program faculty searches. A total of 39 program coordinators, department heads, and deans were asked how graduates from non-ranked higher education programs could prepare themselves for faculty opportunities, including searches at top-ranked schools. The findings indicate that developing grantmanship, networking, presentation, and publishing skills will help students to become more competitive. Additionally, participants suggested that students collaborate with other scholars, show initiative in their own professional development, understand the expectations of different program types, and be willing to participate in post-doctoral fellowships. These findings will help students who desire to serve at top-ranked doctoral higher education programs upon graduation. A unique feature of this paper includes a discussion of the unwritten values, rules, expectations, and social mores that influence a search process, including the roles of institutional fit, previous academic preparation, tokenism, and race. This study is designed to inform the decision-making of higher education program faculty as they prepare their students for the professoriate.

The purpose of this study was to identify the core knowledge and competencies needed for executiv... more The purpose of this study was to identify the core knowledge and competencies needed for executive leadership in higher education administration as perceived by university presidents. Thirteen presidents shared the knowledge and competencies they perceived as being essential for an effective presidency. The respondents identified the important knowledge areas as: foundational; acquisition of cultural knowledge; and complex cognitive. They viewed personal attributes, management, and communications as the essential competency areas. The study found that presidents viewed themselves both as leaders and as managers. Results of this study should be helpful to organizations seeking to develop and/or implement degree programs to prepare individuals for the presidency. The results may also be helpful to those seeking to provide professional development materials and activities to prepare or develop individuals for this role.

Half of the sitting university presidents in the United States are over the age of 60 (American C... more Half of the sitting university presidents in the United States are over the age of 60 (American Council of Education, 2012a). Thus, they are nearing the age of retirement. This poses a problem and makes the preparation of leaders to replace them of particular importance. Higher education administration programs have been an academic preparation ground for those aspiring to higher education leadership. In prior years, it was most common that higher education program graduates were offered lower- and middle-level management positions in colleges and universities. Similarly some of these graduates developed careers in government agencies dealing with higher education issues such as, think tanks and other related employment. In recent years, however, higher education graduates have earned upper management positions including presidencies more frequently upon graduation (Altbach & Enberg, 2001, p. 15). The purpose of this paper is to review the role and value of higher education leadership preparation programs and provide recommendations for policy and practice that will enhance their effectiveness.

International Journal of Doctoral Studies, Jan 1, 2012

International Journal of Educational …, Jan 1, 2012

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International Journal of Doctoral Studies, Jan 1, 2012

International Journal of Educational …, Jan 1, 2012