Leading Through Language: Understanding How Presidential Leaders at Faith-Based Institutions Issue Sensegiving Statements Within a Social Justice Context

The landscape of leadership in higher education is becoming increasingly complex (Gagliardi et al., 2017; Jaschik & Lederman, 2016; Wesley et al., 2021). Significant instances of racial violence and geopolitical unrest have instigated conversations and ongoing movements towards greater social justice in American society and on university campuses. With these movements, higher education leaders at faith-based institutions have been called on to communicate and lead within a social justice context, through the act of sensegiving. This qualitative study investigated the perspectives and roles of presidential leaders who have provided communication regarding social justice topics. The purpose of the study was to understand presidential leadership perspectives and communications around social justice. The communicative leadership act of sensegiving provides a platform for higher education leaders to guide institutions and promote strategic change through language. However, additional research is needed to understand how presidents understand their leadership role and how that understanding could influence presidential practice.