Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

PADM 6560 ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER EDUCATION

PADM 6560-70I

Course: PADM 6560-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 12525

Course Description


Course Description


Higher education institutions are complex organizations where faculty, staff, administrators, students, and community members intersect to fulfill educational missions. This course examines how colleges and universities function by investigating the key structural, environmental, and leadership components that shape campus life.


Students will analyze the organizational frameworks of higher education, exploring how various campus units coordinate efforts within shared social structures. Through critical examination of governance, policy development, external influences, and technological integration, students will develop sophisticated understanding of the mechanisms that drive institutional decision-making and shape educational outcomes.


By the end of this course, students will be equipped to navigate the multifaceted environments of higher education institutions and contribute meaningfully to organizational leadership and administration.

Required Texts


Required Textbook


Organization and Administration in Higher Education
(3rd Edition)
Authors: Powers & Schloss
Copyright: 2023
ISBN: 978-138-64119-4

Learning Outcomes


Course Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze organizational environments in higher education settings and understand their interrelationships
  2. Evaluate collaborative structures through which professionals from disparate areas work together to achieve institutional objectives
  3. Assess the physical, aesthetic, and safety dimensions of campus environments and their impact on institutional functioning
  4. Identify and analyze external influences that shape campus decision-making, resource allocation, and strategic priorities
  5. Synthesize theoretical and practical perspectives on leadership and administration in higher education contexts
  6. Understand systems of higher education and how institutions coordinate efforts within state, regional, and national frameworks
  7. Evaluate the influence of local and regional needs on institutional design, mission, and operations
  8. Critically examine the role of technology in contemporary higher education administration and student services
  9. Analyze policy development processes, including formulation, approval, implementation, and evaluation
  10. Understand advocacy and governance processes through which higher education priorities are identified, lobbied for, and advanced by internal and external stakeholders

Course Requirements


Academic Integrity


Graduate education depends on trust, honesty, and intellectual integrity. All work submitted in this course must be your own. This means:

  • Written assignments must reflect your own thinking, analysis, and writing
  • Proper citation is required for all sources (direct quotes, paraphrases, and ideas from others)
  • Collaboration is encouraged in discussions, but individual assignments must be completed independently
  • Plagiarism (presenting others' work as your own) will result in serious consequences, including potential course failure and referral to the university

When in doubt about whether something constitutes plagiarism or requires citation, ask me.


I'm here to help you learn to engage with sources appropriately and develop your own scholarly voice. The goal is development, not punishment—but integrity violations will be taken seriously.


For complete information on SUU's academic integrity policies, see the Student Handbook.


Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools


The use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) in this course requires transparency and appropriate boundaries:


Permitted uses:

  • Brainstorming ideas and exploring topics
  • Checking grammar and improving clarity of your own writing
  • Generating initial drafts that you then substantially revise and personalize

Prohibited uses:

  • Submitting AI-generated text as your own work without substantial revision and personalization
  • Using AI to complete assignments without genuine engagement with course concepts
  • Failing to disclose AI assistance when it significantly shaped your submission

When in doubt, disclose your AI use
in a brief note at the end of your assignment. I'm more interested in your learning than in policing tool use, but academic integrity requires honesty about what work is yours.

Course Outline


Assignments and Assessments Overview (Additional detail found in Canvas)

  1. "Hypothetical U" Pre-Assessment (25 points)

Due:
Week 2


Design a hypothetical higher education institution, articulating its mission, organizational structure, governance model, and key operational features. This diagnostic assignment assesses your baseline understanding of higher education organization and will be revisited in your final project.


 


 2. Governance Analysis Paper (25 points)

Due:
Week 7


Analyze the governance structure of an actual higher education institution (you may choose your own institution, SUU, or another institution of interest). Examine formal governance mechanisms, decision-making processes, and the distribution of authority among stakeholders (board of trustees, administration, faculty, students).


Deliverable:
3-5 page analytical paper following APA format


Assessment Criteria:

  • Depth of institutional analysis
  • Integration of course concepts and readings
  • Quality of critical evaluation
  • Professional writing and APA compliance

 3. Reading Responses

Due:
Throughout the semester (see course calendar)


For each module, submit a written response demonstrating engagement with assigned readings. Responses should:

  • Synthesize key concepts from multiple readings
  • Connect course material to your professional experience or observations
  • Raise critical questions or identify areas for further exploration
  • Apply theoretical frameworks to practical scenarios

Assessment Criteria:

  • Depth of engagement with readings
  • Quality of synthesis and analysis
  • Connections to practice
  • Critical thinking and questioning

 4. Class Discussions and Q&A Sessions

Ongoing throughout semester


Active participation in asynchronous discussions and synchronous Q&A sessions is essential to your learning and that of your peers. Quality contributions:

  • Demonstrate preparation through engagement with readings
  • Advance collective understanding through thoughtful questions and insights
  • Respond substantively to peers' ideas
  • Connect theory to practice
  • Challenge assumptions constructively

Assessment Criteria:

  • Regularity of participation (consistency throughout semester)
  • Quality of contributions (depth, insight, connections)
  • Engagement with peers (building on others' ideas, asking questions)
  • Professionalism in communication

 5. Final Project/Post-Assessment

Due:
Finals Week


Return to your "Hypothetical U" from the beginning of the semester and revise it substantially based on everything you've learned. Your final project should demonstrate:

  • Sophisticated understanding of organizational structures in higher education
  • Integration of course concepts (governance, leadership, policy, environment)
  • Critical analysis of institutional design choices
  • Application of theoretical frameworks to institutional planning

Deliverable:
8-10 page comprehensive institutional design document with:

  • Executive summary
  • Refined mission and organizational structure
  • Governance model with justification
  • Analysis of environmental factors
  • Leadership framework
  • Policy development processes
  • Technology integration strategy
  • Reflection on your learning (comparing initial and final thinking)

Assessment Criteria:

  • Sophistication of organizational design
  • Integration of course concepts
  • Quality of analysis and justification
  • Evidence of learning growth
  • Professional presentation and APA compliance

Grading Scale and Point Distribution

Assignment | Points"Hypothetical U" Pre-Assessment | 40
Governance Analysis Paper | 40
Reading Responses | 120
Class Discussions/Other | 140
Final Project/Post-Assessment | 60
TOTAL | 400 points

Letter Grade Distribution

Grade | Percentage | PointsA | 90-100% | 360-400
B | 80-89% | 320-359
C | 70-79% | 280-319
D | 60-69% | 240-279
F | Below 60% | 0-239


 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Course Policies


Assignment Submission and Late Work


Deadlines:
All assignments are due by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time) on the specified due date unless otherwise noted.


Late Work Policy:
Life circumstances sometimes interfere with our best intentions. If you anticipate difficulty meeting a deadline:

  1. Contact me before the due date to discuss an extension
  2. I will work with you to establish a reasonable alternative deadline
  3. Late work submitted without prior arrangement may receive reduced credit (10% deduction per day, up to 3 days; after 3 days, assignments may not be accepted)

Extensions are most readily granted when requested in advance with reasonable justification
(illness, family emergency, work conflicts, etc.). Last-minute requests are more difficult to accommodate.

Attendance Policy


Attendance and Participation


While this is an online course with flexibility in when you complete most work, consistent engagement is essential. You are expected to:

  • Complete readings and assignments on schedule
  • Participate in asynchronous discussions within specified timeframes
  • Attend scheduled synchronous Q&A sessions (or review recordings if unable to attend)

If you encounter circumstances that prevent sustained engagement
(illness, family emergency, technical difficulties), contact me immediately so we can develop a plan to keep you on track.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.