Date of Graduation

2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College/School

School of Education

Department

Leadership Studies

Program

Catholic Educational Leadership EdD

First Advisor

Patricia A. Mitchell

Second Advisor

Ralph E. Metts

Third Advisor

Michael Duffy

Abstract

Investigating the Extent of Collaboration Between Jesuit Administrators and non-Jesuit Faculty and Staff in Jesuit Secondary Schools in the Eastern Africa Province: Staying True to Mission

The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is well known for its educational institutions. Over the years, Jesuits have run excellent schools all over the world. However, Jesuits have also realized the increasing need to incorporate non-Jesuits more fully in their ministry. This dynamic of deeper incorporation of non-Jesuits into Jesuit works is referenced as collaboration.

To enhance this collaboration, Jesuits have produced documents that advocate for collaboration, delineated the path to accomplish collaboration, and the attitudes necessary for its growth. One such document by the International Commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Education pointed out that Jesuit Education “stresses lay-Jesuit collaboration,” and “relies on a spirit of community” (1987, p. 41). These characteristics formed one component of the conceptual framework for this study. The other component was Selznick’s concept of the institutional embodiment of purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of collaboration in Jesuit secondary schools in the Eastern Africa Province.

This mixed-method study was carried out in two Jesuit secondary schools in Tanzania. It used a researcher-constructed survey and interviews with semi structured questions. The survey included 117 participants (teachers, nonteaching staff, and headteachers). Afterward taking the survey, headteachers and 7 members of their administrative teams were interviewed for more information about collaboration.

Data from this study indicated evidence of a good level of collaboration, exhibited through the positive attitudes of headteachers toward collaborators; the rapport that

existed between the two groups; and the different initiatives that Jesuit administrators have put in place to help the collaborators feel valued and become more immersed in the Jesuit charism. However, the level of knowledge about Jesuit education was very low, and no meaningful orientation/induction program existed. This lack of a program was one area that needed immediate improvement. Research in areas of collaboration and the preparation of Jesuits to become school administrators was recommended.

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