EAB’s Department Chair Academy
We encourage Deans Advisory Services partners to nominate up to two department chairs each to participate in the Department Chair Academy.
Few jobs on campus are more important—or more difficult—than leading a department. Chairs must respond to unprecedented internal and external pressures to deliver on strategic priorities for their college and institution, as well as advocate for faculty and staff within their department. Historically, however, chairs have been expected to transition into this role without formal training on topics such as people management or institutional finances, or guidance on how to manage the pressures and conflicting demands of diverse stakeholders.
EAB created the Department Chair Academy to address the greatest needs of new and aspiring chairs—transitioning to a leadership role, fostering a positive and effective departmental culture, managing conflict, and aligning department goals with college- and institution-level priorities.
What attendees will learn
EAB has identified ten academic and administrative responsibilities of the modern department chair and designed a three-part, cohort-based workshop experience to provide chairs with the strategies necessary to succeed in their role:
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Session 1: Embracing Positional Power and Building a Culture of Trust
Wednesday, July 23 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
- Identify and leverage a chair’s sources of authority to build a productive and healthy departmental culture
- Sharpen management skills to foster faculty engagement, performance, and retention
- Simulate responding to a challenging policy directive with an interactive scenario
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Session 2: Applying an Institutional Lens to Strategic Prioritization
Wednesday, July 30 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
- Explore evergreen and current issues facing higher ed cabinets and boards
- Navigate department needs and objectives within the context of the university’s strategic priorities
- Prepare leadership for crises or significant events using strategic prioritization frameworks and workbooks in breakout sessions
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Session 3: The Art and Science of Behavioral Change
Wednesday, August 6 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
- Embrace a strategic approach to change management by identifying and addressing psychological, structural, and social barriers to institutional change, thereby minimizing complications and resistance
- Develop a simple and flexible change implementation plan and collaborate with peers during group discussions
Ready to get started?
If you are a Deans Advisory Services partner and are interested in nominating department chairs for EAB’s Department Chair Academy, log in and fill out the form below. For questions, please email your Strategic Leader or [email protected].
If you’re not yet a partner, learn more about Deans Advisory Services.