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Leading the Academic Department: A Workshop for Chairs of Mathematical Sciences Departments


Leading the Academic Department: A Workshop for Chairs of Mathematical Sciences Departments

Arnie Ostebee, Jon Scott
October 11 - 14, 2007
MAA Headquarters
Washington, DC

Sorry: This workshop has been cancelled.

Department chairs often face challenges that test their leadership abilities. Furthermore, it is often the quality of leadership, rather than management, that makes the difference between success and failure. Leading the Academic Department focuses on vision and leadership - qualities that department chairs are expected to possess but often have little opportunity to develop and refine while dealing with the continual demands of academic administration.

Session topics will include the recruitment, retention, mentoring, and development of both faculty and students; review and assessment of the department and its programs; conflict resolution; workload issues; adjunct faculty and TAs; and financial concerns, as well as individual growth, time management, and balancing the demands on the chairperson. These sessions will address issues faced by new, mid-career, and longtime department chairs. Some sessions will provide opportunities for chairs to meet together based upon institutional profile (e.g., two-year college, liberal arts college, comprehensive state institution, research university).

Participants will have the opportunity to hear of best practices and reflect on possible solutions at their own institutions, and take part in two or three plenary sessions (e.g., a panel of academic deans and provosts).

The workshop will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and end at noon on Sunday. Lodging for Thursday - Saturday nights and meals (except dinner on Saturday evening) are included in the registration fee.

A draft schedule of the workshop is now available.