Advancing a Framework for STEM Caring Intelligence for Academic Administrative Leadership to Broaden Participation: Perspectives of HBCU Provosts

Concerns over student retention and development within science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) higher education present a need for research that examines educational caring in STEM leadership. This work purports senior academic administrative leadership's positional influence intelligence are necessary to cultivate sustain environments. Building on cross-disciplinary scholarship caring, the Caring Intelligence Framework Academic Administrative Leadership is proposed as five interrelated dimensions of intelligence: leadership champion-driven caring. The conceptual framework thematic analysis were used examine interview transcripts seven provosts at Historically Black Colleges Universities (HBCUs), who identified supportive. Atlas TI software was management data, coding, assistance with analysis. Extending previous tested HBCU deans, findings substantiate relevance understanding characteristics serving chief officers. All provosts’ reflections promoted least one framework. found be most common their efforts broaden participation. Thus, participating provided narrative practice study Implications future discussed.