An academic leadership‐based group experience Available to Purchase

From 1997 to 1999, the University of Guadalajara (in the state of Jalisco, Mexico), implemented for the first time the Retention and Stimuli for Academic Leadership Groups Program, better known in the institutional context as PRYEGLA. In the context of Mexican higher education this program constituted an innovative experience, because its principal focus of interest was stimulating performance on a group, rather than on an individual basis. Using the case study approach, the paper describes the institutional concept of these so‐called “academic leadership groups”, and discusses some of the problems associated with the institutional design of this program and the evaluation of the performance of such groups. Finally, a preliminary set of suggestions for improving the program is provided from the point of view of the different actors involved.