Academic Leadership: A Practical Guide to Chairing the Department

About this book

As the responsibilities entailed in being a department chairperson are ever evolving those who occupy the position must continually adapt and build upon their skills in order to meet new challenges and expectations. In the first edition of Academic Leadership Deryl R. Leaming helped thousands of chairpersons navigate changes in higher education and effectively lead their departments. While maintaining its focus on practical application this new edition has been significantly revised and expanded to address new aspects of the role of department chairs. Now organized into six parts the second edition contains best practices and ideas from some of todays leading scholars. It also incorporates information on emerging challenges and expectations for department chairpersons including Developing a departmental vision Working with constituents Retaining students Conflict management Mentoring faculty Post-tenure review Written to assist chairpersons in carrying out their duties each concise chapter offers advice and practical suggestions for aspiring new and experienced chairpersons. Readers are provided with the expectations of the chair role as well as examples for handling specific tasks. In addition this book encourages chairpersons to analyze their departments in order to effect improvement and develop their own approaches to solving problems. Featuring useful checklists tables and sample forms this book also provides practical tools on the key areas of chair workdepartmental management; interacting with faculty students and upper administration; financial matters; legal issues; assessment and evaluation. This invaluable resource will help guide chairpersons through the many responsibilities of their position.