Education Commons^™

In The Middle: Department Chairs As Mentors And Mentees, Carolyn A. Groff, James F. Konopack Dr.

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Department chairs, especially new chairs, need mentoring as they simultaneously learn to provide mentorship to department faculty. The type of mentoring that department chairs need from their administrators to be successful leaders can differ from the type of mentoring chairs are provide to their faculty colleagues.

The New Normal, Adjuncts And Part-Time Instructors, Jeff Knox, Julie Rabun, Kim Hawkins

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Department chairs are under increasing pressure from administration to replace departing full-time professors with adjuncts. The chair is faced with a challenging environment that includes navigating personalities, workloads, student perception, varied commitment levels, and meeting accreditation standards. Strategies are discussed as participants share ideas to navigate this complicated issue.

Title Ix Compliance, Clery Act, Vawa, And The Department Chair, Stephen F. Pyle, David A. Line

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This interactive research based workshop will review findings regarding expectations of Chairs in facilitating compliance efforts by the University in both traditional and distance learning environments. Chairs will explore through case study analysis how compliance with Title IX, Clery Act, and Violence Against Women Act serves their department.

Reality Check: Early Intervention In Gateway Courses, Barbara Brown

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Early each semester, most professors can identify which of their students may succeed and which may not, but they may not know the reasons why or how to respond. Systematic reporting on at-risk students can help both professors and students recognize performance issues and possibly intervene before it’s too late

Shifting The Culture Through Strategic Moves And Hires, Sarah Edwards

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Wondering how to motivate faculty to be the drivers for building and maintaining an assessment system that works? Join this session to consider how to make strategic moves and hires designed to have faculty own data and view assessment as a vital part of the faculty role.

Assessment Of Student Learning As A Driver To Departmental Development, Andrea Lassiter

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Revising and revitalizing an approach to student learning assessment can be a meaningful growth experience. Being intentional about such development during regular academic planning and reporting cycles is central to leading faculty through change. This session will highlight some strategies that can be used to promote individual- and departmental-level development.

Leveraging Faculty Development And Assessment Efforts: A Case Study, Ryan Chung

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

While assessment is critical for enhancement of student learning, it is rarely viewed explicitly as an essential aspect of faculty development. The presenter will share stories and experiences in developing and implementing assessment initiatives as faculty development, leading to strong culture of assessment at a research one institution.

Trends In Assessment: Implications And Opportunities For Department Chairs, Stephen P. Hundley

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Learn about trends in assessment from the executive editor of Assessment Update and chair of the national-level Assessment Institute. Attention will be paid to the role of the chair in creating a culture of assessment, supporting student success, and in using assessment results to inform department planning and improvement efforts.

Evaluating Online Programs: Challenges And Strategies, Katherine Adler, Mary-Katherine Smith

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Evaluation of online programs is an elusive blend of art and science. The science is based on a mix of technological opportunities and sound research techniques. This session explores how online education can be evaluated and how the results of the evaluation can be used to guide the growth of improvement of a program.

Move Over Or Move Out: Working Collaboratively With Former Chairs, Michael A. Mcpherson, Christy A. Crutsinger

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Transitioning into the chairperson’s role is a challenge under the best of circumstances, and this can be complicated by the presence of a previous chair. Similarly, it can be difficult for outgoing chairs to return to faculty status. This interactive workshop considers ways to facilitate smooth transitions when the old regime won’t move out of the way.

The Inevitability Of Playing Politics As Chair:2018, 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 and now director of a school for 30 years it has become an essential yet sometimes unwanted aspect of the daily rigors of the position. This workshop explores the pros and cons of “playing politics” as a department chair and allows interactivity among participants in “what if” scenarios citing various literature references along the way

Strategies For Dealing With Difficult Situations, Dr. Walter H. Gmelch

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The session will give ideas and strategies for handling difficult conversations with deans, fellow chairs, and faculty. Using case studies and role plays, the session will engage participants to address the following questions and challenges:

1. How do I manage my dean?
2. What are guidelines for handing complaints?
3. What styles are most appropriate in handling difficult situations?
4. How can chairs become more “principled” in resolving differences?
5. What are personal strategies for dealing with difficult colleagues?

Meaningful Reviews: Reframing Evaluation To Yield Positive Change, Sharon Decker

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This session will focus on how to reframe the culture of evaluation in order to encourage active and engaged faculty participation. The discussion will center on objectives, forms, and outcomes in order to create a process that will ultimately improve pedagogical techniques and philosophies.

Positive Academic Leadership: Stop Putting Out Fires; Start Making A Difference, Jeff Buller

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

A highly interactive workshop on strategies that can help chairs move towards positive outcomes in even the most negative of situations, making their leadership more effective, effortless, and enjoyable.

Change Leadership In Higher Education, Jeff Buller

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

A highly interactive session dealing with why change is so difficult in higher education and how we can be more effective in implementing needed changes. Based on the latest studies of effective change in higher education, participants will come away from this session with a practical plan for overcoming their own resistance to change and bringing others on board when change has to occur in their program or at their institution.

Turning A Department Into A High Performing Team, Lorri F. Engstrom, Del Engstrom

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This session will provide Chairs/Deans the skills and research base for using a team approach to build social capital and create a high performing departmental team. Experiential learning activities will be used to demonstrate the key components of high performing teams, and the pedagogical strategies to successfully implement teams.

Positive Academic Leadership: Stop Putting Out Fires; Start Making A Difference, Jeff Buller

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

A highly interactive workshop on strategies that can help chairs move towards positive outcomes in even the most negative of situations, making their leadership more effective, effortless, and enjoyable. Participants will come away from this workshop with clear, practical ideas about how they can help their departments become more positive, visionary, and forward-looking.

Departmental Fights: Finding Solutions And Maintaining Sanity As Chair, Ethan W. Krase, Gian S. Pagnucci

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

While circumstances of departmental conflicts are variable, one constant is that as chairs we end up involved. Although chairs cannot prevent conflict from occurring, there are steps we can take to minimize the consequences. This session offers strategies chairs can use to lead their departments through conflict more productively.

Leadership Development For Department Chairs: Learnings Across Three Approaches, Emily R. Smith, Patricia E. Calderwood, Paula Gill Lopez, Ryan Colwell

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This session shares insights and recommendations from three approaches to faculty leadership development: a co-mentoring group for faculty leaders; a community of practice for mentoring; and a leadership development cohort. Participants will be invited assess and revise these recommendations to jointly inform best practices in faculty leadership development.

The Growing Challenge Of Dual Credit/Enrollment, Eric G. Tenbus, Daniel Schierenbeck

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Face the dual credit challenge by taking back control of the program and strengthening it to ensure high academic standards. This presentation will explain the dual credit phenomenon and offer practical advice in countering it, navigating the political landmines, and making it work better for your department.

Beyond Engagement: Promoting Non-Monetary Social Relevance In Contemporary Academic Departments, Mengie M. Parker, Carrie Longley

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This presentation outlines methods of creating academic social relevance that are not based on simple monetary value thereby affording academic departments a measure of protection against undue resource attenuation. The presentation provides methods of promoting both internal and external social relevance as well as methods for measuring and reporting growth in departmental social relevance.

“Traversing The Legal Minefields That Surround Academic Chairpersons”, Nathan M. Roberts

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The presenter will describe common higher education law issues encountered by Chairpersons and provide a framework for analyzing them to protect the department and the Chairperson. Perspective on the process will be offered by a former chairperson, now dean, who is also an attorney and teaches courses in education law.

Dealing With Campus Safety Issues, Nancy P. Kropf

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

As an administrator, traumatic and unexpected events in a unit require a unit head to deal with the situation and related consequences. Using examples of events that have impacted safety of students and faculty, this presentation will highlight responses when dealing with harmful or threatening campus experiences.

Evaluating Workload: A Collaborative Approach Between Dean And Department Chair, Melissa J. Marcucci Ph.D., Sandra G. Affenito Ph.D., R.D. Fand

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Faculty workload calculations are complex and an institution’s mission directs the level of faculty participation in each teaching, scholarship and service. The University of Saint Joseph (USJ; West Hartford, Connecticut) transitioned from a college to a university, necessitating reexamination of faculty workload policy. The review was conducted collaboratively between senior administration and key faculty to understand best practices in calculating teaching workload. A review of best practice, evaluation of workload policies at a defined set of peer institutions, and an internal investigation of the types of course offered by USJ faculty was examined.

Department Budgeting And Resources, Don Chu, Kimihko Nomura

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Departments are faced with reduced appropriations and increased demands on their budgets. We will look at the three keys to respond to this fiscal environment and position your department for a brighter future: budget basics, management aimed at productivity and strategic investment, and increasing resource flow.

A Flexible, Incentivized Budgeting System For Academic Departments, N. Douglas Lees

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This session will involve a discussion of the budgeting models of the attendees and a discussion of their overall needs for budgeting guidance. An overview of Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) will be provided along with the model used to set budgets for departments in a School of Science.

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 …