Grief Leadership in Higher Education: Navigating Loss with Empathy and Institutional Support
Disciplines
Educational Leadership | Higher Education | Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Higher education leaders are often tasked with guiding their institutions through moments of crisis, including grief and loss within their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic, social injustices, and economic instability have heightened the need for leaders to address grief not only as a personal experience but also as an institutional challenge. This study examines the emerging concept of grief leadership—the ways in which higher education leaders navigate and respond to grief among faculty, staff, and students while maintaining institutional priorities.
Using a qualitative research approach, this study explores the lived experiences of senior and mid-level leaders in higher education, analyzing their strategies for supporting grieving individuals and fostering a culture of care. Preliminary findings reveal three key themes: (1) balancing institutional demands with human empathy, (2) developing grief-responsive policies and support structures, and (3) the need for intentional leadership training on grief navigation. The study introduces a framework for grief leadership that emphasizes proactive engagement, resource allocation, and long-term policy shifts to create more compassionate institutions.
By presenting this research, we aim to provide higher education professionals with practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for integrating grief leadership into administrative practices. This presentation will engage participants in a discussion on how to cultivate grief-informed leadership, explore institutional best practices, and reflect on the role of empathy in sustaining well-being within academic communities.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
BCOE - Educational Leadership
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Chinasa Elue, Ph.D
Grief Leadership in Higher Education: Navigating Loss with Empathy and Institutional Support
Higher education leaders are often tasked with guiding their institutions through moments of crisis, including grief and loss within their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic, social injustices, and economic instability have heightened the need for leaders to address grief not only as a personal experience but also as an institutional challenge. This study examines the emerging concept of grief leadership—the ways in which higher education leaders navigate and respond to grief among faculty, staff, and students while maintaining institutional priorities.
Using a qualitative research approach, this study explores the lived experiences of senior and mid-level leaders in higher education, analyzing their strategies for supporting grieving individuals and fostering a culture of care. Preliminary findings reveal three key themes: (1) balancing institutional demands with human empathy, (2) developing grief-responsive policies and support structures, and (3) the need for intentional leadership training on grief navigation. The study introduces a framework for grief leadership that emphasizes proactive engagement, resource allocation, and long-term policy shifts to create more compassionate institutions.
By presenting this research, we aim to provide higher education professionals with practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for integrating grief leadership into administrative practices. This presentation will engage participants in a discussion on how to cultivate grief-informed leadership, explore institutional best practices, and reflect on the role of empathy in sustaining well-being within academic communities.