With the steadily increasing occurrence of disasters (natural and man-made), university crisis leadership has become a staple discussion in higher education. This chapter puts forward caring as an important element of university crisis leadership, based on stakeholders' observations and perceptions. In addition to a literature review, an account of an empirical study is given on perceived relationships between caring administrative leadership and authentic academic caring. The study was completed at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Data was collected from a convenience sample of university students (n=210). An exploratory quantitative research design was used. Through correlation analysis, associations were found between points of UVI's academic caregiving (e.g., operations, colleges/schools, and instruction), and caring administrative leadership. The findings spotlight qualities of academic caring that should be exhibited by university administrative leaders in the event of a crisis.
Kenny A. Hendrickson is an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Social Sciences, and the Director of the Master of Public Administration Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs from the University of Akron in Ohio. His current research interests are organizational caring, leadership, disasters, workplace performativity, discretion, professional decision making and public administration.
Kula A. Francis is an Associate Professor of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs from the University of Akron in Ohio. Her current research interests are social equity in public organizations, evaluation, international relations, history, politics, and public administration.