Education Commons^™

A Campus Education Model For Department Chairs Councils, Christopher Barrick

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This presentation examines common missions for department chairs councils and proposes a framework that serves its members by offering campus-specific education. In this model, department chairs learn the ins and outs of their campus, including operations, meeting key university leaders, understanding available resources, and new developments across campus.

Defining What, How, Why: Enriching Exploration For Self & Department, Trey Guinn

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Ever find that your colleagues are not “on the same page” or “do not see eye-to-eye” about a solution, much less its underlying problem? This can be frustrating and at times seem personal. Our discussion will focus on a method used to help individuals and teams identify problems/solutions and understand the motivations held by self and others that often challenge consensus.

An Experiential Approach To Mentoring Academic Leaders: Review, Practice, Report, Julie A. Ray, Victor R. Wilburn, Melissa Odegard-Koester, Jeremy Ball

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This session presents a leadership development program where new department chairs discuss best practices and realistic challenges with seasoned chairs, helping all to improve their leadership skills through a supportive group process. The program includes a summer book study, monthly meetings, a department chair handbook, and leadership resources.

Supporting Department Chair Development: Learnings From The Leadership Cohort, Emily R. Smith, Ryan Colwell, Patricia E. Calderwood

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This best practice presentation will highlight key features, benefits and challenges of a cohort-based leadership development program for chairs. We’ll engage with sample materials and activities used during cohort meetings and share recommendations for those looking to initiate leadership development programs on their campus.

The Dean-Chair Dyad: Developing An Effective Relationship With Your Dean, Craig D. Hlavac

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The department chairperson must effectively relate with their academic dean in order to successfully advocate for their department. Financial resources, human resources, facility prioritization, and curriculum decisions are all contingent on the dean’s approval. However, many chairpersons are unsure how to develop a trusting, collaborative relationship with their dean. This session will outline the distinctive roles of the chairperson and the academic dean and will present strategies for cultivating this important relationship. Ideas for resolving current conflicts as well as avoiding future tension will be discussed. The session will conclude with the review of common dean/chair scenarios for small-group discussion.

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.

Reflective Leadership Practice For Academic Chairs, Sue Wells, Marilyn Herie

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

This workshop distills the practice wisdom of two seasoned academic leaders, providing a menu of reflective leadership practice activities, tools for eliciting feedback from others, and practical tips for creating a high-functioning and positive departmental culture, illustrated throughout with personal leadership stories and case examples.

5 Deans In 5 Years: Chairs Leading Through Change, Janna L. Scarborough

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

The chair/dean relationship often has a direct impact on departmental success. What happens when the there is a change in deanship? The presenters will share their experience of having five deans in five years. Through case studies and dialogue, strategies for navigating dean transitions will be shared and examined.

Working With A Unionized Faculty, John R. Hamilton Jr

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Newly appointed supervisors are often concerned when they must oversee the work of employees who are members of a union. This workshop provides some basic information about unions and tips to being a good supervisor or manager in a union environment. The information is appropriate for Chairpersons and Deans.

Navigating The Trauma Of Change, Kent Crookston

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

In a recent national survey, academic leaders identifies “dealing with change as their second topmost concern. Crookston has researched, and interacted first-hand with the “change characters” that emerge from within any group faced with restructuring or innovation. Participants leave this workshop better able to anticipate, understand, and work effectively with the range of personalities that react and adapt differently to change.

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?