Making the Third Mission Work at the Graduate School of Education: A Leadership and Agency Perspective

Abstract

Implementing the third mission is challenging for the university’s various schools. This research explores its successful implementation at the Harvard Graduate School of Education from a leadership and agency perspective. The case study reveals three findings. First, the two main ways to fulfill the third mission at the Graduate School of Education are student entrepreneurship and faculty consulting and training for the industry. Second, the impact extends beyond the region. Third, the successful implementation of the third mission requires leadership and agency that are both entrepreneurial and collaborative. While entrepreneurial leadership encourages faculty and students to drive the school’s entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative leadership builds teamwork to enhance engagement. The developed framework explains how we can achieve this.