Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education

This theoretical position paper explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance student engagement through the lens of academic leadership. To illustrate our argument, we include exploratory, mixed-methods evidence drawn from a descriptive survey of 95 undergraduate students and fi...

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Main Authors: Melita Kovacevic, Tamara Dagen, Miroslav Rajter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/775
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author Melita Kovacevic
Tamara Dagen
Miroslav Rajter
author_facet Melita Kovacevic
Tamara Dagen
Miroslav Rajter
author_sort Melita Kovacevic
collection DOAJ
description This theoretical position paper explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance student engagement through the lens of academic leadership. To illustrate our argument, we include exploratory, mixed-methods evidence drawn from a descriptive survey of 95 undergraduate students and five semi-structured interviews with key academic leaders. These data are indicative only and not intended for statistical generalisation; however, they ground and inform the theoretical propositions of this paper. Focusing on how AI-driven tools can be used, the study examines the central role of academic leaders in guiding these innovations. By addressing key leadership decisions—including resource allocation, policy development, and faculty support—the study explores how AI can foster a more responsive and engaging learning environment and provides insights into how academic leadership can guide the integration of AI technologies to increase student motivation, participation and academic success in different educational settings.
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spelling doaj-art-6a6e8531818f42e3bd59bbf77a7680f42025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-06-0115677510.3390/educsci15060775Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher EducationMelita Kovacevic0Tamara Dagen1Miroslav Rajter2Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, Campus Borongaj, Borongajska cesta 83f, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaCentral Office for Communication and Public Relations, University of Zagreb, Trg Republike Hrvatske 14, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaSocial Work Study Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Trg Republike Hrvatske 14, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaThis theoretical position paper explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance student engagement through the lens of academic leadership. To illustrate our argument, we include exploratory, mixed-methods evidence drawn from a descriptive survey of 95 undergraduate students and five semi-structured interviews with key academic leaders. These data are indicative only and not intended for statistical generalisation; however, they ground and inform the theoretical propositions of this paper. Focusing on how AI-driven tools can be used, the study examines the central role of academic leaders in guiding these innovations. By addressing key leadership decisions—including resource allocation, policy development, and faculty support—the study explores how AI can foster a more responsive and engaging learning environment and provides insights into how academic leadership can guide the integration of AI technologies to increase student motivation, participation and academic success in different educational settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/775academic leadershipartificial intelligencestudent engagementeducational innovationAI integration
spellingShingle Melita Kovacevic
Tamara Dagen
Miroslav Rajter
Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education
Education Sciences
academic leadership
artificial intelligence
student engagement
educational innovation
AI integration
title Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education
title_full Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education
title_fullStr Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education
title_full_unstemmed Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education
title_short Leading AI-Driven Student Engagement: The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education
title_sort leading ai driven student engagement the role of digital leadership in higher education
topic academic leadership
artificial intelligence
student engagement
educational innovation
AI integration
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/775
work_keys_str_mv AT melitakovacevic leadingaidrivenstudentengagementtheroleofdigitalleadershipinhighereducation
AT tamaradagen leadingaidrivenstudentengagementtheroleofdigitalleadershipinhighereducation
AT miroslavrajter leadingaidrivenstudentengagementtheroleofdigitalleadershipinhighereducation