Educational Leadership as a driver of transformation in higher education: analysis of its impact on institutional quality and equity

Abstract

Educational leadership in higher education plays a key role in institutional transformation, affecting academic quality and equity within the educational system. This article analyzes the impact of various leadership approaches on university management, faculty development, and student performance. Through a theoretical review and the study of experiences in different institutions, leadership strategies that promote innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development of universities are identified. The importance of transformational and participatory leadership in reducing educational gaps and ensuring accessible, high-quality higher education is emphasized. The findings indicate that strengthening leadership in higher education is a determining factor for continuous improvement and equity in university teaching. The article is framed within the interpretive paradigm in order to gain a deeper understanding of the experiential realities of the actors involved. The method used is based on documentary research, utilizing bibliographic techniques. This will allow direct contact with documents that support the topic of educational leadership, viewed from the perspective of leadership theories. The interpretation of the information allowed for organizing the facts into categories of knowledge based on shared actions within the universities, serving as a basis for systematizing and generating teaching strategies that guide the development of educational leadership competencies.