Linda Henderson

Linda Henderson

Professor Emeritus

Biography

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Linda Henderson, Ph.D. has been a leader in departmental and program development at USF in her roles as department chair and director in project management and organizational behavior. She continues her programmatic leadership for the undergraduate management major. Her work as a senior level consultant for clients including Visa International, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computers, Blue Shield of California, and Genentech informs her teaching and research on project management, complexity theory, and explorations of the challenges faced by female project managers in global organizations.

Research from Dr. Henderson’s dissertation launched Management Communication Quarterly and served as an impetus to begin integrated and interdisciplinary research in this field. At present, Professor Henderson is researching factors that contribute to students' success on global projects; gender differences in career advice; and theoretical underpinnings of communication in project management.

Having played a key role in projects for the Danish banking system, Hewlett-Packard in Mexico and Puerto Rico, SaskTel in Canada, and Cadence Design Systems in Taiwan, Dr. Henderson draws from her own experience as an international manager, helping students approach and overcome the communication barriers they’re likely to encounter as project managers and leaders in global businesses and organizations. Professor Henderson believes that in a climate of ever-increasing globalization, the ability to work and communicate effectively across cultures is perhaps the single most essential knowledge base for successful leadership.

Research Areas

  • Project Management
  • Communication
  • Complexity Theory
  • Challenges of Female Project Managers

Appointments

  • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs 2018 – present
  • Department Chair, Organization, Leadership, and Communication 2013–2016, 2017–2018
  • Director, M.S. in Project Management 2006–2012
  • Co-Director, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior 2003–2006

Education

  • PhD, Organizational Communication, Florida State University, FL
  • MS, Communications, Texas Christian University, TX
  • BS, Education, University of Nevada, Reno, NV

Prior Experience

  • Faculty Governance Council, 2013–16 and 2017–18, School of Management, USF
  • Assurance of Learning Committee, 2016-present, School of Management, USF
  • Peer Review Committees, 2010–12, School of Management and USF
  • Strategic Planning Committee, 2010–12, School of Management, USF

Awards & Distinctions

  • Erasmus Mundus (EU) Scholarship, Project Management, Umea University, Sweden, 2008

  • Visiting researcher, Santa Fe Institute, 2006

  • Chair, Graduate Program Committee, School of Management, USF, 2010–11, USF

  • Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Project Management

Selected Publications