Transformational Leadership is a type of management which determines transformation at the level of individuals and the social system in which it works. Identification of dimensions of transformational leadership in the dynamic environment of higher education becomes very important. In this study, strategic plans written by candidates to rector positions are used to figure out what are the dimensions of transformational leadership in higher education as they are perceived by those well experienced professionals. Their goals, mainly long run goals are considered as the directions they want to lead their higher education institutes to.

Goals and targets stated by candidates and based on the literature of transformational leadership nine objective categories are found to be the most relevant objectives for long run higher education institutes. The methodology is based on content analysis and appropriate software is used to find out the most important and relevant categories. The categories are: : educational activity management, scientific research management, human resources management, administrative management, financial management, student relationship management, global widening, adjusting to the society's needs and cooperating with community, and  university image management. The most important objectives are those from the categories of:  educational activity management, scientific research management and followed by objectives for university image.