Contextual and organizational factors that mediate the influence of leadership roles on academic retention

Abstract

The research presents a systematic review on leadership practices associated with academic retention in university students between 2010 and 2024, using Rayyan and VOSviewer for the analysis of bibliometric data and the identification of trends in the selected publications. The main objective is to identify and analyze leadership strategies that have been shown to be effective in improving student retention in higher education institutions. The methodology uses the PRISMA protocol, evaluating quantitative and qualitative studies from international databases. The results indicate that transformational leadership practices, mentoring programs, and personalized guidance contribute significantly to university permanence. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of educational leadership in student retention, suggesting that a combination of inclusive and adaptive practices may be essential to reduce college dropout. The findings have practical implications for education policymakers and institutional leaders.