Date of Award

10-8-2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

John Kuykendall

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory, qualitative study was to develop an understanding of the influence and explain the phenomenon of leadership development program experiences may have had on the leadership abilities and career paths of participants in leadership development programs, over time. The study population included eleven participants completing the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) Program and LEAD21 Program serving in the role of Extension Directors or Administrators at the time of the study. The study examined the study participants early preparation including leadership development experience, skills and experience prior to participation in NELD/LEAD21, their actual leadership development experience, their perceptions and application of the leadership learning and leadership growth following the program, and their subsequent leadership practice and career-path in order to develop a holistic concept of the NELD/LEAD21 program on their careers. The intent of the study was to develop a more holistic understanding of the lived experiences of CES leaders regarding their participation in a leadership development program and how these experiences shaped their leadership skills, growth and career path.

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