Thriving and Surviving as an Incoming or Experienced Business School Dean: How Can Mentorship Play a Role?

Drs. Leary, Bishop and Holmes were awarded funding from the Business Schools Association of Canada to investigate the lived-experiences of current and former university business Deans.

This study explored the lived experiences of current and former university business Deans to gain insights on how to effectively navigate the role, identify specific skills needed to succeed, address potential existing barriers regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion, and provide examples of Dean-specific support and mentorship strategies. An appreciative inquiry approach was used and included interviews and literature review. Findings and recommendations were discussed through three central themes: recruitment, retention, and mentorship. The project received funding from the Business Schools Association of Canada.