Education Commons^™

Taking On Unexpected Leadership Roles, Alicia Domack

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Leaders are occasionally asked to take on new roles with very little notice. This session will present new chairs with some concrete tips to help individuals taking on unexpected leadership roles survive and eventually thrive in the position.

The Inevitability Of Playing Politics As Chair: Advantages And Pitfall, Domenick J. Pinto

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Politics is a term often frowned upon as it pertains to the role of an academic leader. However as chair for almost 30 years it has become an essential yet sometimes unwanted aspect of the daily rigors of the position. This workshop explores the advantages and pitfalls of “playing politics” as a department chair and allows interactivity among participants in “what if” scenarios.

Tackling The Bullies In Academe, Jorg Waltje Phd, Laura Trujillo-Jenks Phd

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Severely hurtful and undermining behavior is on the increase at university campuses, partly due to the widespread jealousy and competition that is naturally prevalent in higher education. This interactive workshop will provide strategies for chairs who have to deal with difficult faculty, but it will also point out ways to create a departmental atmosphere of civility and collegiality in which bullies cannot thrive. We will use case studies to analyze realistic scenarios that can later be used by chairpersons to encourage discussions on plans of action and solutions in their home departments.

Turning Prospects Into Superstars: The Department Chair’S Role In Mentoring Junior Faculty., Christian K. Hansen

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Department chairs play a major role in helping new faculty members succeed and become valued and productive member of the faculty. In smaller department, chairs often mentor junior faculty directly, whereas in larger department the chair sometimes has a role in assigning senior faculty mentors to mentor new faculty. Some have referred to hiring faculty as a million dollar investment, and in reality, more than a million dollars is invested from the time the faculty ad is composed until the hired faculty member enter the ranks as a tenured faculty member. When a hired faculty member is turned down for …

Difficult Department Chair Conversations Ignatian Style, Janet Kupperman 5014750

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The session will explore different types of difficult conversations department chairs have and reasons the encounters may be considered difficult, introduce an Ignatian framework for having conversations, and give participants practice having difficult conversations from an Ignatian perspective.

A Blended Family: Leadership Of Multi-Disciplinary Departments, Barbara Bonnekessen, Celia Patterson

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Seeking cost-saving measures, universities are turning to bundling departments to save chairs’ salaries and support staff positions. The presenters (one with six years experience in two multi-disciplinary units and one who managed the merger of a multi-disciplinary department) will address the unique challenges and opportunities arising from these academic units.

Developing A New Department Culture: When Programs Merge, William Hoon, Aimee Shouse

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This presentation will discuss some best practices that help transitioning cultures in merged or merging academic departments.

Program Leaders’ New Tools For Outcomes Assessment And Improvement, Jacqueline Kress

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Academic leaders are expected to build cultures of inquiry and continuous improvement. This session provides practical examples of teacher-as-researcher tools, such as policy audits, Pareto charts, affinity exercises, curriculum control files, and data review calendars, that academic leaders can use to meet new demands for evidence-based decisions.

The Art Of C.Y.A.: Documentation For Department Chairs, Christopher Barrick

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

From day one, department chairs are instructed to keep good records and “document, document, document.” But what does proper documentation look like? Through the use of memos for record and other means, learn to document in a meaningful and useful manner so that you have really practiced “C.Y.A.”

Taking The Lead: Initiating Change As A New Chairperson, Craig D. Hlavac

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Academic department chairpersons are often asked to lead without management training, prior experience, or formal mentorship. These same chairpersons are frequently faced with initiating change in departments that have operated similarly for years – perhaps decades. What is the first step? What should a new chair do to begin the discussion about change without alienating the faculty? This session will provide participants with practical, research-based strategies for defining the roles of the chair position, building trust within the faculty, and beginning a dialogue focused on meaningful change. Opportunities for small-group discussion as well as scenario-based discourse will be included.

Musings And Reflections From First-Year Department Chairs; An Extension Of The Nca, Mark Urtel, Sandra Jowers-Barber, Stacey L. Smith

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

1. Come and engage in conversation with 3 beginning chairs who participated in the 2016 NCA as they muse about the good, bad, and ugly of their first year. Hear about how challenges were overcome and opportunities were created to help them become better leaders.

Promoting Your Department To High School Seniors, Jeremy H. Sarachan

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Increasingly departments must take charge of their recruitment, but most academics are new to public relations and marketing. What are the best methods to reach high school students? Led by a media and communication chair, this discussion will revolve around best practices that are both affordable and easy to manage.

The Positive Power Of Hedgehog Leadership In Academe, Thomas N. Duening

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This workshop will focus on helping academic chairs become more hedgehog-like in their leadership style and faculty interactions. The research streams that inform this session include positive psychology, positive organization behavior, and affective neuroscience. The expected outcome for participants is an enhanced ability to create an environment of opportunity for their faculty. The session leader has been using this approach as chair of the management department for nearly two years. As an example of the power of hedgehog leadership one faculty member in management last year received the college’s outstanding faculty member aware for the first time in 26 years!

The Four Quadrants Of Administrative Effectiveness, Rob Jenkins

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Administrative effectiveness can be charted on X and Y axes, with X representing responsibility and Y representing control. The best administrators tend to fall in the “High Responsibility / Low Control” quadrant. The session includes an assessment that allows administrators to chart themselves and see which quadrant they typically inhabit.

Mentorship, Guidance, And Respect For Guiding New Faculty, Christopher Barrick, Michelle Kiec

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Department chairs wield great power in the career of new faculty. In addition to gatekeeping functions as an evaluator, chairs serve as a role models and senior leaders. Mentorship, guidance, and respect form the foundation for chairs to propel newer faculty to senior department members.

Building Traditional Classroom Techniques In An Online Course Discussion., David A. Line

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Discussions build connections, increase instructor presence, and develop key points in online courses. Discussions correspond to the classroom in traditional education. They can take the shape of speed dating, lectures, seminars, meetings, and various forms of group work. This session explores ways of getting the most out of online discussions.

An Alternative To Developmental Coursework: Critical Skill Integration, Robin A. Lukes

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This interactive session explores ways in which an associate degree liberal arts and sciences department eliminated developmental coursework through the integration of critical skills (reading, reasoning, thinking and math) into the core curriculum. We will discuss the importance of honoring disciplinary perspectives while also considering how best to deliver a core for associate degree adult learners.

Applying Lessons From Athletic Recruitment To Faculty Searches, David M. Bellar, Peter Sheppard

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The presenter will share how lessons learned from recruiting intercollegiate athletes can be applied to faculty searches. The presentation will present information and examples for improving position announcements as well as interactions and negotiations with candidates to increase the likelihood of a quality hire.

Working With Students And External Constituents To Revitalize An Undergraduate Degree Program, Anthony S. Overton

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Offering undergraduate programs which are relevant and provide students excellent opportunities for employment or graduate work are key for program success and program growth. The session will describe our approach to revitalizing an unpopular undergraduate degree program based on student input and collaboration with industry and a community college.

Leading In A Perpetual State Of Change, Stephanie Boss Dr., Lisa Huffman, Jennifer Dennis, Mary Dzindolet

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Three academic chairs and their dean will provide examples of how they have led through the difficult and ever-changing higher education landscape. Topics will include faculty turnover, budget cuts, and university restructuring. The audience will be invited to share their own experiences and recommendations will be provided.

Developing And Supporting The Diversity Of Chairperson Roles, Jean Pawl, Richard Griner, Deborah Richardson, Elizabeth Nesmith

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

A monthly Chair Professional Development program at Augusta University provides opportunity to mentor new chairpersons and foster collegiality amongst all chairpersons at a university with both liberal arts and health sciences programs. The merits and challenges of this program that addresses needs of such a diverse group will be highlighted

Promoting Chair Succession Through Development, Empowerment, And Encouragement, Christopher Benedetti

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

To ensure the stability of the department, department chairs should prioritize the identification and formation of potential successors. For this interactive session, a model and related strategies, supported by real examples, will be discussed for developing, empowering, and encouraging faculty to become ready to assume the role of department chair.

Founding Chair, Meet New Chair: Collaborating Through Chair Successions, James F. Konopack Phd, Christopher Hirschler Phd

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Challenges abound for new chairs, including the responsibility of [re]shaping the department’s vision. This can be doubly challenging when the founding chair moves into the dean’s office. In this session, founding chair and new chair share their story and facilitate discussion about a collaborative leadership transition.

Leveraging Technology For The Recruitment Of Students And Faculty, William Hoon, Christopher Hirschler

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This presentation will discuss some best practices in using the latest technology to assist in student and faculty recruitment in two distinct departments at two universities.

Working Professionals And Subject Matter Experts In The Classroom, David A. Line, Stephen F. Pyle

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Integrating real world expertise is a positive and growing trend in higher education. Building positive relationship with working professionals and subject matter experts has benefits and pitfalls. This session explores the pros and cons of using working professionals and subject matter experts in the classroom and in course development.

Implementing Program And Department Advisory Boards, Karen Blaisure Phd, Bryce Dickey Ms, Linda Dove Ma, John Mcelroy Phd

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Presenters will guide participants through a process to establish and maintain an advisory board for an academic program or department and will leave with ideas, suggestions, and a potential plan to share with faculty. Advisory board participation in assessment and improving academic curricula will be highlighted.

Facilitating Curriculum Change One Step At A Time, Joanna Mott

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Large departments provide additional challenges when leading change. Participants will learn strategies to thoughtfully move a department forward keeping transparency, respect for all and inclusiveness in mind and identifying, empowering and guiding department faculty leaders who are trusted by their peers.

Academic Leadership: Creating Successful (New) Leaders & Preserving Institutional Memory, Robert Williams, Rosemary Fithian Guruswamy, Dan Woods

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Participants will consider the following topics: identifying & articulating the primary responsibilities of a leadership position; preserving important institutional mores and memories during a change in leadership; developing institutional structures and materials to support new leaders in such transitions. Participants will leave with an action plan/checklist for supporting new leaders.

Creating A Sustainable Interdisciplinary Humanities Department, Lucia Ortiz, Kate Edney, Raffaele Florio

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

A trend at smaller colleges and universities is reconfiguring several small departments into a single, larger department. The leadership team—undergraduate chair, graduate program director, associate dean—of a Department of Humanities in its second year, will discuss the lessons learned over one year of breaking down silos across disciplines and degree levels.

Can You Get A Job Doing That?: Reimagining The Arts, Earnest L. Lamb

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Arguably the significance of a college degree is determined by the value it has in the market place. Rather than a critique of the commodification of education, this session offers strategies for the leadership in the arts and humanities to reimagine their programs in ways that will prepare their graduates for careers in and outside of the academy.