Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Education
Department
Educational Administration and Supervision
Advisor's Name
Peter J. Cistone
Advisor's Title
Committee Chair
Advisor's Name
Irma Becerra-Fernández
Advisor's Name
Tonette S. Rocco
Advisor's Name
Delia C. García
Date of Defense
11-13-2008
Abstract
Fr. Marcelino García, S.J. has been the president of Belen Jesuit Preparatory
School for 25 years. The longevity and success of his tenure is an exemplary case of
effective leadership and provided significant insight into what constitutes effective school
leadership.
The target population for this case study consisted of the school’s 7
administrators, 90 faculty members, 10 English-speaking staff members, and 3 key
informants. Data were collected using Bolman and Deal’s (1997) Leadership Orientation
Survey along with the Jesuit Secondary Education Administration’s (1994)
Administrative Leadership Profile Survey (ALPS). Data collected from the surveys were
analyzed using the SPSS, version 10.
The study also included data collected from focus interviews with Fr. García and
six other significant members of the school community. The interviews were
approximately 1-hour individual interviews that employed a semi-structured guide.
A concurrent triangulation method was used that directly compared the results
from these data collection methods. This was done by looking at the data as a whole and in parts. The parts were internal (faculty, administrators, and staff) and external (parents,
alumni, and the superior of the Jesuit community) sectors. The comparison of the
findings was then examined in terms of each research question.
Analysis of the data revealed that while Fr. García’s predominant leadership style
reflected the typical Bolman and Deal characteristics associated with the political frame,
his leadership demonstrates access to all four frames. Research has found a correlation
between multiple frame use and successful leadership. Relatedly, Fr. García’s capacity to
approach his administration from various perspectives is indicative of success. In
addition, from the perspective of Jesuit education, an analysis of Fr. García’s leadership
indicated recurring themes that contributed to the school’s organizational health.
The results of this study provide an extensive analysis of the administration of a
unique leader. An analysis of Fr. García’s leadership style from two perspectives gives
fresh insight into sustained and successful leadership.
Recommended Citation
García-Tuñón, S.J., Guillermo M., "Successful and Sustained Leadership: A Case Study of a Jesuit High School President" (2008). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 284.
http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/284