Leading the Academic Department

Arnie Ostebee, John Scott
June 19-22, 2008
MAA Carriage House
Washington, DC

Registration Fee: $1,000 by May 5, $1,250 after

Department chairs play a vital role within their institutions as well as within the profession. This workshop is an opportunity for chairs of departments in the mathematical sciences, new chairs as well as veterans, to come together to learn about and reflect on their work. A primary aim of the workshop is to help department chairs become leaders as well as managers.

Department chairs often face challenges that test their leadership abilities. Furthermore, it is often the quality of leadership 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 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, midcareer, 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, to discuss possible solutions to problems at their own institutions, and to take part in several plenary sessions (e.g., a panel of academic deans and provosts, a session on the program review process). The workshop will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, and end at noon on Sunday, June 22. Lodging for Thursday – Saturday nights and meals (except dinner on Saturday evening) are included in the registration fee. More information.

Questions about PREP? Contact Olga Dixon at 202-319-8498 or odixon@maa.org.