ABSTRACT
The actions of educational leaders are often viewed by those who they serve within a continuum of effectiveness: from purposeful and charismatic trailblazing to systematic corruption of educational ideals. For educators tasked with leading a system of multiple educational institutions or sites, a ‘treasure trove of talent, cultural diversity, ideas and innovation’ is available to build a legacy of educational success. There are various types of multi-site institutions and multi-institution systems currently in operation in education contexts. With a number of higher education institutions having expanded campus footprints, both domestically and/or internationally, maintaining and enhancing an institution’s educational charge across multiple sites presents a unique range of leadership challenges. System leaders generally have roles that keep them out of the classroom, but they must demonstrate a clear commitment to and deep understanding of students’ learning. Developing educational leaders into system leaders means consideration of when and how such development opportunities take place.
