Community college mission influence on culture : an organizational analysis.

Abstract

, "Community college mission influence on culture : an organizational analysis." (2013 There More than 25 years ago I was in a second grade. I cannot say I was ever an outstanding student winning awards for the best grades. Teachers would vii more likely describe me as social or energetic. Mrs. Brenda Wells was on of the first teachers to encourage me in a way that made me want to be better and, more importantly, helped me know that I could. She was tough, but I also remember having more fun learning and exploring ideas with her as a teacher than I can at any other point as a child. Because of her I wanted to be a teacher. I believe I recognized at that age it was possible for me. Because that seed of courage was planted, I have been able to find my way here. My goals have been more defined since those days, but she helped me see that it was possible to aspire for greatness. More effective use of mission has been correlated to the commitment of top management in developing and using it to drive their practice (Mullane, 2002). Three main implications were cited from this research. Each implication focused on the management of mission and recognition of culture development at the base of the organizational hierarchy. While it is important for leaders to be highly committed to organizational mission, engagement with mission related activities should not stop with leaders.The first implication for practice is the need for leader-guided institutional mission reinforcement activities for departmental staff. The second implication for practice is the need to take into consideration culture-focused goals and outcomes during strategic planning. The last implication is the need for intentional analysis and management of physical space to create desired culture focused outcomes.The gap that exists for leaders between mission use and culture development proves to be challenging. This organizational analysis provides insight into how leaders may more effectively approach culture development in relation to institutional mission. This Student Affairs department examined in x this research provided evidence of the culture supporting the formal institutional mission.The researcher found disconnect between this culture and staff members perceptions of the usefulness of the institutional mission. As a result, it is recommended that leaders approach culture development from this perspective. It could be the leader's job in this context to guide staff to positive ways the formal institutional mission could be used to impact their practice at the base of the institution's hierarchy. Allowing staff in non-leadership positions to interact with the institutional mission and align it with their personal workrelated values could make for a culture that embraces mission-focused strategic goals.