How Followers Perceive the Transformational Leadership Qualities of Female Leaders in Admissions Departments
Date of Award
Spring 2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)
Committee Chair
Blake Renner
Committee Member
Joan Kelly Hall
Committee Member
Timothy Reymann
Abstract
This qualitative exploratory study examined how followers perceive their female leaders in terms of transformational leadership qualities. Transformational leadership has been found to be an effective leadership style in higher education institutions. Semi-structured interviews were used in this study to gain insights into the perceptions of the experiences of employees in admissions offices at private higher education institutions. The study found that followers in admissions offices perceived their female leaders in transformational ways, with limited views on inspirational motivation and great value on the leadership trait of emotional intelligence. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing leaders in higher education with insights into how followers view transformational leadership. Higher education institutions can use the information from this study to create, develop, or enhance training and professional development for female leaders in higher education. This study contributes to the literature on female leadership, higher education institutions, transformational leadership theory, and leadership and emotional intelligence.
Recommended Citation
Klipfel, India Edith, "How Followers Perceive the Transformational Leadership Qualities of Female Leaders in Admissions Departments" (2026). All Doctoral Student Dissertations. 256.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/docpub/256
