Candidate: Jessie L. Grant

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Teaching, Learning, and Leadership

Title: An Examination of the Job Satisfaction of Mid-Level Managers in Student Affairs Administration

Committee:Dr. Andrea Beach, Chair
Dr. Charles Warfield
Dr. Mark Orbe

Date: Friday, March 17, 2006 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
1321 Trimpe Building

Abstract: This study examined the extent that mid-level managers in Student Affairs (e.g. directors, and coordinators of admissions, student activities, placement and counseling services, etc.) at four-year public and private institutions were satisfied or dissatisfied in their positions, and what impact satisfaction and dissatisfaction had on intent to leave a current position. Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory (1966) was used as the theoretical framework for this study due to the specificity of job content and job context factors related to job satisfaction and job
dissatisfaction for administrative professionals.

A sample of 1,943 mid-level managers who are members of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) were sent invitations to take a Web-based survey. Four hundred seventy-seven responses were received. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic, job satisfaction, job dissatisfaction, and intent to leave variables of the study. Participants were placed into demographic and functional area categories to assist with ANOVA and simple linear regression analyses between the intrinsic variables (recognition, advancement, the work itself, achievement, and responsibility) related job satisfaction, extrinsic factors (supervision, relationships with colleagues, institutional policies, working conditions, salary, job status, job security, and work balance) related to job dissatisfaction, and intent to leave.

The study found that: (a) eighty-three percent of mid-level managers in student affairs administration are satisfied with their positions, (b) a mix of Herzberg's intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributed to their satisfaction; (c) demographic variables accounted for only 4.8% of the variance in job satisfaction of mid-level managers in student affairs; and (d) 2.2% of participants were planning to leave their positions within the next 12 months. Factors that related to intent to leave were advancement, the work itself, job security, age, and race. Mid-level managers between 21-30 years old and African Americans were most likely to be considering leaving their positions.

While this study supported Herzberg's findings in part, there were also results that did not support the theory. Due to the nature of the mid-level manager position in student affairs, combinations of intrinsic and extrinsic factors led to job satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

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