The Leadership of Student Diversity in the Higher Education System: Phenomenological Examination of Experts' Views

The context of leadership in higher education is dynamic, complex and multidimensional. Because of the complexity of the organization, multiple goals and traditional values of the universities, the nature of leadership in higher education is also ambiguous and controversial. For these reasons have led researchers to describe and analyze the basis of leadership in higher education from a different perspective. With the increasing diversity of student populations in universities, the Higher education system faces many challenges to create more capacity for them. Every day, these situations will become a part of the university's educational outlook in higher education. Understanding the roles and necessary skills to lead the student diversity can help the universities in this field. The present research aimed to examine the views of experts on the leadership of student diversity in Iran's higher education system.

The research sample included all the experts in the field of management, education sciences, social sciences, and psychology in Iranian universities which out of whom 16 experts were selected through purposeful sampling and based on theoretical saturation. The research approach is qualitative, and the study method is phenomenology. Data collection tool was a semi-structured interview, and the method of analysis was the topic analysis method. The research data were validated through member checking, peer checking, and external audit.

The findings of this study showed that the six factors of justice-oriented, diversity-oriented, unity oriented, communication-oriented, lead oriented, and culture-oriented are components of Leadership of Student Diversity in the higher education system. the results also showed that the higher education system for three reasons individual, organizational and social importance should be responsive to the diversity of students. According to the findings of the study, it can be said that because of the changes is happening in the demographic trend of society and consequently in the higher education system, there are also changes in student demographic trends, so that we will see students with different ethnicities, races, cultures, religions, and beliefs in the university environment. These changes and demographic diversity will affect the structure of the higher education system. Because the higher education system is made up of a diverse combination of individuals and students, it requires individuals to manage this diverse population and with the right guidance of them, use their abilities to fulfill the goals of higher education and society. Therefore, diversity leadership must create a climate within the university environment that recognizes and accepts students' diversity and respects their values. Also, create a united and interconnected culture, support students by building a positive relationship with them, provide their needs, and consider values such as justice, equality, and impartiality in dealing with them.