Teaching Higher Education Administrators: A Case Study Approach

Research-grounded case studies that connect higher education theory to daily practice Higher education faculty need realistic, research-informed teaching materials that prepare graduate students for actual administrative challenges. Supporting Student Success: A Case Study Approach delivers well-defined cases grounded in theoretical frameworks and current research literature, illustrating how theory translates directly into practitioner solutions. Developed by working adult students under faculty guidance, each case examines financial, legal, and historical dimensions often overlooked in traditional case studies. The text addresses pressing contemporary issues, including Artificial Intelligence, while linking proposed solutions to institutional strategic planning and budget realities. Readers will also find: Theoretical frameworks paired with research literature that faculty can immediately integrate into graduate curriculum without additional development time Common practitioner scenarios drawn from real administrative experiences with solutions grounded in peer-reviewed research and best practices Analysis of budget constraints and legal considerations that shape how administrators implement solutions in actual institutional contexts An essential resource for higher education faculty seeking current, well-researched case materials for practitioner preparation programs, this text also serves administrators who need research-informed approaches to complex daily challenges but lack time to synthesize primary research themselves. Case studies are a powerful educational tool that promotes active learning and enhances critical thinking. According to Toogood (2025), "Case studies are an educational tool that can promote active learning, and make learning more accessible, by serving as frameworks for student meaning-making" (p. 1125). Case studies are an effective pedagogical approach that enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills by requiring students to analyze a problem and apply knowledge from previous courses to a real-world issue affecting a college or university.