Deciphering International Education Leadership: A Narrative Inquiry of Senior International Officers in Canada

Abstract

Internationalization is a key strategic agenda for post-secondary institutions. Its complexed connotations and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic both underpin the significance of a robust international education leadership in place that enables one to navigate uncertainties and ambiguities of the internationalization terrain. Framing leadership as a dynamic and contextual construct, this qualitative narrative inquiry aims to explore the life and professional experiences of senior international officers in leading internationalization initiatives from post-secondary settings in Canada. Findings of this study shed light on the leadership becoming of senior international officers, who play central roles in charting institutional internationalization initiatives. This study aims to amplify the voices of senior international officers and contribute to the sense-making of international education leadership within the higher education community. Inspired by the life and professional stories of these frontline international education leaders, suggestions are made on a) the professional development of international education leadership, b) the consideration behind internationalization governance structure, and c) the new internationalization possibilities at a post-pandemic era.