Educational Leadership Commons^™

Supporting The 21st Century Classroom: Fostering Relevance And Resilience With Project-Based Learning Curricula, Shari Childers, Kara Fulton

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Participants will learn about building and supporting project-based learning (PBL), a scalable, flexible approach to classes and programs that cultivates 21st century competencies in students, including collaboration and resilience. They will re-imagine a course or a program at their own institution from within a PBL context.

Why So Touchy? Navigating Physical Touch In The Performing Arts, Joseph Skillen, Gretchen Alterowitz, Michelle Reinken

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Physical touch is endemic to instruction in the Performing Arts. Two Performing Arts Chairs and the University’s Title IX Coordinator share approaches and solutions to navigating challenges resulting from the use of touch in student-instructor interactions.

Transitions Of Self: Assuming Or Leaving A Chair Role, Denise Bullock

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

We experience multiple transitions throughout our lives. Transitioning from faculty to chair is one of those key transitional moments in which our sense of self shifts with the change in role. Participants will work through a series of exercises to discover, analyze, and plan for that transition of self.

Negotiating Conflict At The Intersection: Identity And Problem Solving, Toni Alexander, Lesli K. Pace, Melissa Odegard

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

An interactive workshop focused on improving self-awareness and understanding of conflict management strategies to improve effectiveness in conflict resolution as a chairperson.

Are You Blue? Personality, Communication, And Leadership, Hillary Gleason

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This workshop will identify participants' dominant personality styles utilizing the True Colors questionnaire developed by Don Lowry in 1978. To that end, there will be a discussion on each color's communication and leadership strengths, weaknesses, and stressors. This is a fun activity that requires movement and most people enjoy. Finally, participants will be paired up with rotating partners and given a departmental chair scenario wherein they need to communicate and lead by utilizing what they have learned about dealing with the personality types of the colors. This exercise will help participants develop a strategic approach to their communication in order …

Embracing The Tension: A New/Ancient Approach To Problem Solving, Rick Olsen

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This workshop will illuminate four important concepts and approaches to problem solving and problem navigation. Participants will then work individually and collectively around problems of shared interest to deepen their understanding of these concepts. The running example by the facilitator will be faculty retirements.

Building Partnerships Between Academic Departments And International Affairs, Butler Cain

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Department chairs and other campus leaders who have an interest in promoting global awareness in their academic programs should partner with their university’s Office of International Affairs. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant upheaval in international education, so now is an opportune time to begin building strong relationships.

Creating (Socially-Distanced) Community In A Multi-Site, Multi-Disciplinary Department, Christina M. Wolfe

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

In this presentation, I discuss ways to facilitate a sense of community in a multidisciplinary department at a multisite community college in a time of social distancing.

The Academic Leadership Framework, Stefan Niewiesk, Gates Garrity-Rokous

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The Academic Leadership Framework helps unify and direct efforts to improve academic leadership, while providing a foundation for assessment, training, and collaboration. Its six domains (Values and Behaviors, People, Decision making, Goal setting, Organization, Oversight) provide foundational skills and experiences for the development, assessment, and improvement of academic administrative work.

Not Your Typical Administrator, Shaunda French-Collins, James F. Koehn, Wendy Waugh

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Presenters will examine the trend of “wearing many hats” in higher education leadership. For example, being both a department chair and faculty member. In addition, the notion of successfully managing up, the importance of understanding each role you have, and understanding your situational role and the communication we use will be discussed. Lastly, participants will engage in case study scenarios challenging participants to consider various administrative situations and identifying reasonable approaches based on which “hat” you are wearing.

An Ounce Of Prevention: Conducting Effective Candidate Background Checks, Jonathan Kremser

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This session will address the often-overlooked component of the faculty search: effective background screening of short-listed applicants. Case studies of insufficient background checks will be discussed, and practical resources will be provided to participants that will help them avoid the endless energy draining task of managing conflict.

Strategies For Increasing Cultural Communication Competence, Anne Mattina

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This interactive session will answer the questions: “what happens when we communicate with someone who has a different cultural background than our own?” and, “what can we do to improve the outcomes of those interactions?” Through facilitated discussion and a small group problem-solving exercise, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their current level of cultural awareness, recognize the impact this has on communication competency and improve skills in these areas.

Square Pegs In Round Holes: Evaluating Online Delivery For Course Quality, Krystal L. Brue Ph.D., Dana Hilbert Ed.D., Stephanie Boss Ed.D., Mary Dzindolet Ph.D., Jennifer Dennis Ph.D

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

With the expansion of online education, chairs and deans must formulate new strategies for evaluating online course development and instructional delivery. Four chairs (of Business, Education, Sports & Exercise Science, and Psychology Departments), and their dean, will share quality strategies for defining course criteria, developing quality course design, and delivering valued instruction.

Executive Presence For The Academic Chair, Trey Guinn

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Interactive session emphasizing how communication skills enhance executive presence and shape effectiveness from campus to home. Bring a positive attitude; be ready to learn while having a little fun. Leave with a fresh perspective on how to be a more clear, concise, compelling and confident communicator ready for and more capable of achieving effective executive presence.

Workplace Bullying In Higher Education: What Chairpersons Need To Know, Jared Rawlings

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Workplace bullying behavior exists in higher education and the purpose of this session is to present current research about bullying behaviors, explain the impact of bullying between and among populations (faculty and staff), explicate legal and ethical issues, and model practices for academic chairpersons to address bullying behaviors.

Department Chair As University Change Agent: A Practitioner-Researcher Leadership Model, Robbie J. Steward Ph.D.

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This symposium describes the leadership of department chair, who assumes the position as an institutional change agent by implementing strategies associated with leadership using the practitioner-researcher model. Positive outcomes and unanticipated consequences and implications will be discussed.

Executive Presence, Trey Guinn

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Strengthening executive presence and communication skills enhances effectiveness as chairperson and beyond. To inspire change and achieve results, chairpersons must create and deliver persuasive messages with impact. Following an interactive workshop loaded with laughter, group activity, role-play, and various simulations, participants will leave with fresh perspective on how to be a more clear, concise, compelling, and confident communicator capable of exuding greater executive presence.

Using Technology To Facilitate Faculty Evaluation, Theresa Glenn, Rise' Lara

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Are you tired of carrying a dozen or more 3-ring binders around to evaluate your faculty’s portfolios? Well say no more to the traditional faculty portfolio and go paperless. With the advent of Google sites, one department has streamlined the portfolio process with each faculty member having their own portfolio Google site.

Talking To A Disgruntled Faculty Member, John R. Hamilton Jr

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Talking with disgruntled department members can be frustrating. This presentation discusses how Crucial Conversations training was used to help faculty and staff learn to communication more effectively with supervisors and peers. Selected techniques will be discussed with workshop participants.

Strategies For Writing A Self-Study And Conducting A Site Review, Margaret A. Thomas-Evans Phd, Carrie E. Longley Mfa, Mengie M. Parker Phd

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This presentation will include a discussion of the principle components of a department self-study and provide examples from two departments (English and Fine and Performing Arts). The specific self-study structure we developed is especially beneficial for small university campuses that may need to justify programs or budgetary expenditures.

Recruiting For Your Department: The Role Of The Chair, Jennifer Dennis, Stephanie Boss, Mary Dzindolet, Lisa Huffman

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The chairs of an Education, Sports & Exercise Science, and Psychology Departments, and their former dean, share how they have been able to implement innovative recruitment strategies from an academic standpoint to increase enrollment in their departments and in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Getting What You Want: A Compelling, Reusable, One-Page Message., Martin A. Draper, Betsy B. Draper

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Using examples from planning and evaluation, government and business models, presenters will share tactics and strategies for simple, concise communications on important issues. Participants will practice by developing a one-page position paper, briefing paper or decision memo.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.