Cortney Cook Discussion: Hello class, This week’s discussion on change theories is one that really made me think. This is something that is very new to me and I never really thought of theories as being a part of change. However, from what I grasped from a few readings is that one reason identification of change theories is important is because of the different approaches there are to change as it relates to theory. Each change theory has its own unique suggestions and agendas as it relates to change in organizations. Also, change theories not only assist in thinking about the actions that need to occur to create change but also the approach to change. According to Adrianna Kezar, “the theories highlight ways to analyze key questions such as what type of change is needed, or which aspects of an institution or state policy might shape a given change process”. (Kezar, 2018).  With this, different theories may be more applicable to different types of changes and the understanding of these approaches gives opportunity for a more thorough analysis of changes. Three change theories in which I took a deeper look into this week were cultural, political, and Institutional and Neo-Institutional Theories. Cultural theories “suggests that change occurs naturally as a response to alterations in the human environment” (Kezar, 2018). This implies that culture is something that is forever changing. With this said cultural theory suggests that “change within an organization entails the alteration of values, beliefs, myths, and rituals” with more emphasis on symbolism within organizations. Political theories give the assumption of competing or different agendas and interests that must be negotiated to come to a specific term. Kezar suggests, “political theories of change identify change as being a natural part of human interaction, occurring as different interests and agendas are negotiated” (Kezar, 2018). Lastly, Institutional and Neo-Institutional Theories takes a dive into “how higher education as a social institution might change in different ways from other types of organizations. The theory also examines the reasons change efforts might be difficult in long standing institutions.” (Kezar, 2018). I hope that I can answer this question correctly. In my personal professional experience in higher education as an administrator, I have witnessed change theory in many different capacities unknowingly I believe. One example of this is the implementation of an initiative that was geared toward the inclusiveness and recruitment of underrepresented multi-cultural students to our institution. The initiative consists of various projects to back the initiative. In all, this new initiative was ultimately put into place to create a cultural shift at the institution due to the connection to the public school district located in the “backyard” of the institution. References Kezar, A. (2018). How Colleges Change . New York : Routledge. Alize Discussion: Change theories ...

1. Cortney Cook Discussion:
Hello class,
This week’s discussion on change theories is one that really
made me think. This is something that is very new to me and I
never really thought of theories as being a part of change.
However, from what I grasped from a few readings is that one
reason identification of change theories is important is because
of the different approaches there are to change as it relates to
theory. Each change theory has its own unique suggestions and
agendas as it relates to change in organizations. Also, change
theories not only assist in thinking about the actions that need
to occur to create change but also the approach to change.
According to Adrianna Kezar, “the theories highlight ways to
analyze key questions such as what type of change is needed, or
which aspects of an institution or state policy might shape a
given change process”. (Kezar, 2018). With this, different
theories may be more applicable to different types of changes
and the understanding of these approaches gives opportunity for
a more thorough analysis of changes. Three change theories in
which I took a deeper look into this week were cultural,
political, and Institutional and Neo-Institutional Theories.
Cultural theories “suggests that change occurs naturally as a
response to alterations in the human environment” (Kezar,
2018). This implies that culture is something that is forever
changing. With this said cultural theory suggests that “change
within an organization entails the alteration of values, beliefs,
myths, and rituals” with more emphasis on symbolism within
organizations. Political theories give the assumption of
competing or different agendas and interests that must be
negotiated to come to a specific term. Kezar suggests, “political
theories of change identify change as being a natural part of
human interaction, occurring as different interests and agendas
are negotiated” (Kezar, 2018). Lastly, Institutional and Neo-
Institutional Theories takes a dive into “how higher education

2. as a social institution might change in different ways from other
types of organizations. The theory also examines the reasons
change efforts might be difficult in long standing
institutions.” (Kezar, 2018).
I hope that I can answer this question correctly. In my personal
professional experience in higher education as an administrator,
I have witnessed change theory in many different capacities
unknowingly I believe. One example of this is the
implementation of an initiative that was geared toward the
inclusiveness and recruitment of underrepresented multi-
cultural students to our institution. The initiative consists of
various projects to back the initiative. In all, this new initiative
was ultimately put into place to create a cultural shift at the
institution due to the connection to the public school district
located in the “backyard” of the institution.
References
Kezar, A. (2018). How Colleges Change . New York :
Routledge.
Alize Discussion:
Change theories are necessary to ensure change is created and
used effectively. Different situations will require different
forms of change. When change is necessary, the situation will
be analyzed based on what is creating the need for change, how
that change will need to happen, and what the outcome will be
(Kezar, 2018). Change theories can also be used to establish
what type of change happened in previous events. That
information can be used to try to create a smooth transition in
future situations that are of a similar nature. Change is a
necessary piece of life, especially higher education. As
technology, students, and environmental circumstances change,
higher education will to ensure they are following the changes
to support their students to the best of their ability. The three
theories I included are Cultural, Evolutionary, and Political.

3. Cultural change is usually long, symbolic, and unpredictable.
This is created in response to a change in the human
environment and results in a new culture forming. This change
revolves around understanding and appealing to values and
rituals. This can be difficult for leaders to understand as it can
seem impractical. Due to the unpredictable nature and that the
theory is generally untested, it can be difficult to gave the
length of time it will take and if it will include successful
change (Kezar, 2018).
Evolutionary change does not allow for much control and are
considered unplanned, usually brought on by the external
environment. This change can also be slow, but the outcomes
are more easily measurable with new protocols and structures.
In these cases, it is necessary for the leader to help address
what outcomes can be created to overcome the external
changes. The form of change may focus less on human needs
which can be seen as a downfall for those in humancentric roles
(Kezar, 2018).
Political change can be thought about in a similar way to
looking at political elections. There is a difference, usually
involving two sides that creates a struggle in power over
differing opinions. To push through this type of change
negotiation and transfers of power will be involved. The goals
are to create like groups, build an agenda based on the
commonalities, and then negotiate the pieces. This theory does
not always end with happiness all around and can leave leaders
with little guidance to work with that idea (Kezar, 2018).
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a multitude of changes in
higher education that I feel, in my case, fall into the
evolutionary theory. When the pandemic first started my
institution pivoted very quickly, but it was always recognized
that they were not permanent fixtures. These changes were
brought on by an unplanned event happening externally to the
institution. Once it became obvious that the pandemic was
going to be long term, the institution began a slow process of
installing more permanent procedures and structures. While it

4. was promoted that the decisions were being made for safety of
students and employees, it is fully obvious that most institutions
also needed to make decisions that would help keep them open.
Many of the decisions focused less on the human needs and
more on the needs of the institution as a whole to remain
relevant.
Resource:
Kezar, A. (2018). How colleges change. Understanding, leading,
and enacting change. (2nd Ed.). Routledge: New York, NY.