PROF ED 2: The Teacher and the Community, School Culture and Organizational Leadership

Module 4: School Culture, School Policies and Their Functions

Submitted by: Leron, Jennylyn Xyrrielle

Submitted to: Prof. Monique
Date: January 2, 2024
 Academic Leadership During a Pandemic: Department Heads Leading with a Focus on
Equity

According to the author of "Academic Leadership During a Pandemic: Department Heads

Leading with a Focus on Equity," academic leadership plays a critical role in times like these that are
unprecedented. In order to maintain an inclusive and equitable learning environment, department
leaders have a big say in how instructors and students behave. Department leaders need to adjust
swiftly to the abrupt move to remote learning and make sure that staff and students have the support
they need. This entails supplying tools for remote instruction, resolving technical issues, and cultivating
a sense of community online. In order to guarantee that every student has an equal chance to succeed,
academic leaders should also place a high priority on equity by recognizing and resolving differences in
access to resources like technology and internet connectivity. During a pandemic, academic leaders'
advice and assistance are crucial for preserving the standard of instruction and guaranteeing the safety
of staff and students.

The study also highlights how crucial it is for department chairs to prioritize equity in academic
leadership. It is crucial for educational institutions to address the inequalities and imbalances that are
already present in the educational system during a crisis like the current pandemic. It is critical that
department heads take proactive measures to establish a fairer and more welcoming atmosphere for
educators and learners alike. This entails figuring out what fundamental obstacles prevent
underrepresented groups from progressing and putting plans in place to remove them.

Department heads can create a more inclusive learning environment by concentrating on

equity, which will guarantee that all members of the academic community have equal access to
opportunities, resources, and support. Furthermore, developing an inclusive and diverse leadership
team is essential to establishing an egalitarian learning environment. In order to give people from
underrepresented backgrounds a voice in policy and decision-making, department heads should
aggressively seek out and elevate these people to leadership roles. Department heads can contribute a
range of viewpoints, backgrounds, and specialties by doing this, which will eventually result in a more
inclusive and equitable approach to academic leadership.

Department heads have a wide range of difficulties when it comes to leading with an emphasis
on equity. Navigating the power relations within the institution is one major problem. Department heads
have a difficult task in their roles as leaders: balancing working within the established power structures
with promoting equity. This frequently entails questioning the status quo and tackling systemic
prejudices, which may cause reactions and opposition from those who stand to gain from the existing
disparities. Department heads could also run into difficulties making sure that their initiatives to advance
equity are long-lasting and sustainable. In an institution that is averse to change, it might be challenging
to bring about significant and long-lasting transformation.

Further complicating matters for department heads, the global COVID-19 epidemic has merely
made existing inequalities worse and introduced new ones. These days, they have to deal with
problems including unequal access to technology and resources, remote learning, and helping
disadvantaged students who have more obstacles to overcome. All things considered, these difficulties
emphasize how difficult and crucial it is to run academic institutions with an emphasis on equity.

The department heads' implementation of resources and assistance for remote learning is one
noteworthy tactic to further equity during a pandemic. Department heads have addressed these issues
by taking the required actions in light of the digital divide and the possibility that it could worsen current
inequalities in access to education. To guarantee that all students participate equally in online learning,
they have been given access to the laptops and internet that they need. Department heads and faculty
members have also worked together to create training materials on online teaching and learning
techniques and to incorporate accessible elements into curriculum designs. Department heads have
shown their dedication to reducing potential gaps during a pandemic and to ensuring that all students
receive an equal education by placing a high priority on the supply of materials and assistance for
distance learning.

In conclusion, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of academic leadership during a

pandemic that prioritizes equity. The study's conclusions demonstrate the critical role department heads
play in fostering diversity and equity within their departments, especially in times of crisis. Academic
leaders can guarantee equitable access to educational resources and opportunities for all members of
their departments by upholding the ideals of fairness, transparency, and collaboration. Additionally,
leaders can establish a culture that supports academic achievement and encourages a sense of
belonging by paying close attention to the various needs of both faculty and students. Even though the
epidemic brought with it previously unheard-of difficulties, academic leaders were able to reconsider
their approaches and refocus their goals as a result. Academic leaders may not only get through
difficult times but also provide the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable academic
environment in the future by living up to the ideals of equity and inclusivity.
The paper titled "Academic Leadership During a Pandemic: Department Heads Leading with a
Focus on Equity" offers a thorough examination of the difficulties department heads encountered in
upholding academic leadership amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while equitable treatment was given top
priority. In order to guarantee equal results for all students, it emphasizes the significance of taking a
proactive and inclusive approach to decision-making, communication, and resource allocation. It also
highlights the significance of maintaining and fostering connections with teachers and staff, as well as
the necessity of ongoing reflection and learning. The study also highlights the role department heads
have in promoting policy reforms in academic institutions that deal with systematic injustices and
advance social justice. All things considered, this thoughtful examination advances our knowledge of
the significance of academic leadership in emergency situations, especially in view of the difficulties
and inequities resulting from the COVID-19 epidemic.