Date of Award
5-2023
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Program
Educational Administration
Department
Educational Administration
Major Professor
Christopher Broadhurst
Second Advisor
Colby Stoever
Third Advisor
Christopher Belser
Fourth Advisor
Nia Haydel
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between the Emotional Intelligence of student affairs practitioners and their professional competency. 248 academic support professionals completed the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQi 2.0) to measure their emotional intelligence. Using the competencies identified by the 2015 joint publication on student affairs competencies by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), participants provided a self-rating of their attainment of the ten professional competencies. Demographic data, years of experience in the field, educational background, and professional development opportunities were also measured. A hierarchical multiple regression was run for each of the professional competencies to create a predictive model. Emotional intelligence was found to be a significant predictor for eight of the ten professional competencies. While years of experience was significant for nearly all competencies, educational background was only a significant predictor for four competencies and professional development was not a significant predictor in any model. Notably, the Social Justice and Inclusion competency was the only predictor where years of experience was not significant nor were the other covariates. The only significant predictor of Social Justice and Inclusion competency attainment was the interpersonal emotional intelligence realm including empathy and social responsibility. This study provides implications for graduate preparation programs, professional development opportunities, professional associations, supervisors and university leaders, and human resources.
Recommended Citation
Williamson, Margaret Shannon, "An Exploration of Emotional Intelligence and the Professional Competency of Academic Support Student Affairs Professionals" (2023). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 3098.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/3098
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.