Title
Theorizing University Identity Development: Multiple Perspectives and Common Goals
Publication Date
2-1-2013
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Universities articulate their identities during moments of organizational change. The process of development of university identity is herein explored from multiple theoretical strands: (a) industrial/organizational psychology, (b) human development/social psychology, (c) marketing, and (d) postmodern sociological. This article provides an analysis of historic and emergent theories of identity development, suggesting commonalities such as: people seek positive self-identification with their universities; people use comparative "like me versus not like me" strategies; a view toward history and legacy is common, but need to be balanced by a view that identity is evolutionary, complex, and mutable. A case example of complex identity challenges for branch campuses is presented.
Publication Title
Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning
Volume
65
Issue
2
First Page
153
Last Page
166
DOI
10.1007/s10734-012-9526-3
Publisher Policy
pre-print, post-print, no publisher's pdf
Recommended Citation
MacDonald, Ginger Phillips, "Theorizing University Identity Development: Multiple Perspectives and Common Goals" (2013). Education Publications. 37.
https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/education_pub/37