Document Type

Article

Journal Title

New Directions for Student Leadership

Volume Number

2026

Issue Number

191

First Page

117

Last Page

124

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.70077

Original Citation

Dozier, V., & Molina, S. C. (2026). Leading from the precipice: How academic deans are navigating artificial intelligence in higher education. New Directions for Student Leadership, 2026(191), 117–124. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.70077

Publication Date

9-4-2026

Description, Abstract, or Artist's Statement

This qualitative case study examines how associate deans at a medium-sized Catholic university respond to the rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Guided by decolonial and feminist frameworks, the study analyzes survey data from seven academic leaders to understand their concerns, decision-making processes, and emerging practices. Our findings reveal uneven adoption, limited institutional guidance, and ongoing concerns about academic integrity, equity, and bias. The study also highlights the often-unseen relational and emotional labor involved in supporting faculty and students. We conclude by recommending flexible, collaborative approaches to AI governance that attend to context, care, and diverse ways of knowing.

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