Department heads and academic unit leaders in higher education occupy some of the most challenging administrative positions, balancing the often competing needs of faculty, students, and senior leadership. While all these stakeholders would agree that student learning is the core mission of higher education, the diverse needs of the different groups may seem to pit them against each other. For faculty, an overwhelming focus on student success initiatives may seem to come at the expense of their own well-being, leading to burnout and disengagement.
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
