Abstract
We draw upon the evolutionary model of change in order to examine the organizational transformation of three liberal arts colleges (Albion College, Allegheny College, Kenyon College). Relying on our prior research (Baker, Baldwin, & Makker, 2012), we seek to continue our exploration and understanding of the evolution occurring in the important liberal arts college sector of higher education. We seek to understand why and how these colleges change, what changes occur, and, especially, what makes liberal arts colleges susceptible to change. The findings of this study have the potential to illuminate change in other types of higher education institutions.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
Names of persons interviewed are used with permission.
References
Association of American Colleges & Universities. (2011). The LEAP vision for learning: Outcomes, practices, impact, and employers’ views. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Baker, V. L., Baldwin, R. G., & Makker, S. (2012). Where are they now? Revisiting Breneman’s study of liberal arts colleges. Liberal Education, 98(3), 48–53.
Breneman, D. W. (1990). Are we losing our liberal arts colleges? AAHE Bulletin, 43(2), 3–6.
Brint, S., Riddle, M., Turk-Bicakci, L., & Levy, C. S. (2005). From the liberal to the practical arts in American colleges and universities: Organizational analysis and curricular change. Journal of Higher Education, 76, 151–180.
Cameron, K. S. (1991). Organizational adaptation and higher education. In M. W. Peterson, E. E. Chaffee, & T. H. White (Eds.), ASHE Reader on Organizations and Governance in Higher Education (4th ed.). Heights, MA: Ginn Press.
Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Incorporated.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 4, 532–550.
Freeland, R. M. (2009). Liberal education and the necessary revolution in undergraduate education. Liberal Education, 95, 6–13.
Gumport, P. J. (2000). Academic restructuring: Organizational change and institutional imperatives. Higher Education, 39, 67–91.
Hartley, M. (2003). “There is no way without a because”: Revitalization of purpose at three liberal arts colleges. The Review of Higher Education, 27, 75–102.
Hartley, M., & Schall, L. (2005). The endless good argument: The adaptation of mission at two liberal arts colleges. GSE Publications, 17, 5–11.
Hearn, J. C. (1996). Transforming US higher education: An organizational perspective. Innovative Higher Education, 21, 141–154.
Humphreys, D., & Kelly, P. (2014). How liberal arts and sciences majors fare in employment: A report on earnings and long-term career paths. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Kena, G., Aud, S., Johnson, F., Wang, X., Zhang, J., Rathbun, A., Wilkinson-Flicker, S., & Kristapovich, P. (2014). The condition of education 2014 (NCES 2014-083). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
Kezar, A. J. (2001). Understanding and facilitating organizational change in the 21st century: Recent research and conceptualizations: ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report, 28(4), 4. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Lang, E. M. (1999). Distinctively American: The liberal arts college. Daedalus, 128, 133–150.
Loomis, S., & Rodriguez, J. (2009). Institutional change in higher education. Higher Education, 58, 475–498.
Martin, W. B. (1984) Adaptation and Distinctiveness. The Journal of Higher Education, 55(2), 286–296.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). An expanded sourcebook: Qualitative data analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Morphew, C. C. (2009). Conceptualizing change in the institutional diversity of US colleges and universities. The Journal of Higher Education, 80, 243–269.
Morphew, C. C. (2002). “A rose by any other name”: Which colleges became universities. The Review of Higher Education, 25, 207–223.
Neely, P. (1999). The treats to liberal arts colleges. Daedalus, 128, 27–46.
Pope, L. (2013). Colleges that change lives: 40 schools that will make you change the way you think about college (4th edn), H. M. Oswald (Ed.). London, England: Penguin Books.
Rodgers, J. L., & Jackson, M. W. (2012). Are we who we think we are: Evaluating brand promise at a liberal-arts institution. Innovative Higher Education, 37, 153–166.
Stark, J., & Lowther, M. (1988). Strengthening the ties that bind: Integrating undergraduate liberal and professional study. Report of the Professional Preparation Network. Ann Arbor, MI: The Regents of the University of Michigan.
Yin, R. K. (2008). Case study research: Design and methods (applied social research methods). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Melissa McDaniels and David Tritelli for their support and helpful comments during the writing of this manuscript. This research was supported by a grant from the Hewlett-Mellon Fund for Faculty Development at Albion College in Albion, Michigan.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baker, V.L., Baldwin, R.G. A Case Study of Liberal Arts Colleges in the 21st Century: Understanding Organizational Change and Evolution in Higher Education. Innov High Educ 40, 247–261 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-014-9311-6
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-014-9311-6