Academic Leadership

Academic Leadership Advice: Understanding What is Within Your Power

Most of us who have found our way into academic administration (surely, few of us actually plan such a career) have learned to survive the whitewater rafting experiences of academe by drawing on reserves of stoic patience and calm rationality we never knew we had. That is to say, Epictetus lives today in many an academic administrator’s office, perhaps sitting like some modern-day Jiminy Cricket on the administrator’s shoulder, saying, “Patience, my friend. Be strong and endure, for this too will pass.”

Thomas R. McDaniel PhD May 19, 2009

Promoting Teaching Excellence: What Departments Can Do

On Tuesday’s post, we discussed an Oxford University study that looked at departments recognized for their excellence in teaching at 11 research-intensive universities. Based on what they learned, Christopher Knapper and Sergio Piccinin, two of the researchers who conducted this study, offer the following advice:

Rob Kelly May 14, 2009

Should Senior Faculty Teach More Introductory Courses?

After years of service and moving up through the faculty ranks, senior faculty members often feel they have earned the privilege of concentrating their teaching efforts on upper-division courses, leaving the introductory courses to younger faculty members. It seems fair enough: If you stick around long enough, you will be able to teach the courses you enjoy most. But is it the best arrangement for students?

Rob Kelly April 23, 2009

How to Handle Helicopter Parents in College

When faculty members receive phone calls from parents about their children’s academic work, the response is often, “Our contract is with the students, not the parents,” says Marjorie Savage, parent program director at the University of Minnesota. Faculty need to keep in mind, however, that today’s parents are different than in previous generations.

Rob Kelly April 16, 2009

Faculty Collegiality: Q&A with Robert Cipriano

Collegiality—the ability of faculty members to get along with each other and contribute to the collective good—is a key component of success within the department

Rob Kelly April 15, 2009

Transitioning from Faculty to Chair: The Importance of Aligning Values

In Tuesday’s post, we talked about a survey conducted by Brenda Coppard, chair of occupational therapy at Creighton University, on the transition from faculty to

Rob Kelly March 26, 2009

Top 10 Traits of an Effective Academic Leader

Despite all that has been written about leadership, the question still remains: What does it take to be an effective academic leader? At the risk of being redundant, and with apologies to David Letterman, here are the 10 characteristics that I have found to positively contribute to effective leadership.

Willis M. Watt PhD March 25, 2009

Five Things that Will Ease the Transition from Faculty to Department Chair

Inadequate preparation, unrealistic expectations, and increased workload can be overwhelming for faculty members making the transition to department chair. Brenda Coppard, chair of occupational therapy

Rob Kelly March 24, 2009

Building a Culture of Academic Integrity

Academic dishonesty can come in a variety of forms. From roving eyes during exams to buying papers off the Internet to any number of other

Mary Bart March 9, 2009

Academic Leadership Qualities Include Good Listening Skills

How do you come across to the people you work with? Does what you say and how you say it send mixed messages? Are your actions consistent with your words? Do you listen intently? Do you acknowledge others’ ideas? All these questions are important for any leader, and answering them honestly can help you become a better leader.

Rob Kelly February 10, 2009

Academic Leadership

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