Servant Leadership in Higher Education and Options for its Incorporation at Carroll College

Abstract

This thesis shares research and analysis systematically designed to guide Carroll College of Helena, Montana, towards the goal of beginning a formal servant leadership program. Servant leadership, a term coined by Robert K. Greenleaf, is reviewed, including a brief history of its foundation and fundamental principles—summarized from its origins and later practitioners. Current, established servant leadership programs in higher education are examined and used as examples in contrast to current leadership and servant leadership options at Carroll College. The established programs are synthesized into eight options that Carroll College might consider to incorporate systemized servant leadership into the academic curriculum and/or non-academic program offerings. Crystallizing questions are posed to help the reader evaluate the eight options for Carroll, formulate conclusions, and to reduce the eight to the three most-suitable options for further exploration. Ultimately, this thesis is intended to provide Carroll College with sufficient information to make an informed decision on whether or not to adopt a servant leadership program, and if so, what form it might take.