Department Chairs and New Academic Leaders
Department Chairs Cabinet
Recognizing that the roles and responsibilities of the academic department Chair are among the most complex within the institution, Iowa State University established the Department Chairs Council, comprised of all current department Chairs, to provide for communication between the department Chairs as a group and the administration, faculty, staff and students of Iowa State University. To facilitate communication, the Council elects a Cabinet which consists of one Chair from each of the colleges and four at-large Chairs. The Associate Provost for Faculty and the Faculty Senate President sit on the committee as ex-officio non-voting members. The cabinet meets monthly to discuss and establish positions on matters of University concern with particular implications for academic departments and programs.
- Department Chairs Council Constitution and Bylaws (PDF, 19KB)
- Current Membership of the Chairs Cabinet
2022-2023 Meetings of the Chairs Cabinet
All meetings will be 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., in 3150 Beardshear
- September 2
- October 7
- November 11
- December 9
- January 27
- February 24
- March 24
- April 21
Department Chair Workshop Series
The Department Chair Workshop Series aims to provide department chairs with valuable information and useful resources to assist them in their work as managers and academic leaders of their departments. The workshops seek to build a community of practice for ongoing information sharing, problem solving, and support.
Workshops are led by faculty, staff, and administrators with demonstrated expertise in the session topic. Presentation materials and handouts may be distributed during the sessions and/or posted on our website.
All department chairs, associate, and assistant chairs are strongly encouraged to attend.
2022-2023 Department Chair Workshops
Speaking Up: How Department Leaders Can Change the Conversation in the Academic Workplace, Tuesday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. to noon or 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration link Presenters: This workshop will be led by Dr. Stephanie Goodwin and the PowerPlay group of the University of New Hampshire using authentic scenarios provided by the ADVANCE Midwest Partnership's leadership. PowerPlay Interactive Development utilizes professional actors and Applied Theatre techniques to address issues around personal, professional, and institutional development. They use Interactive Theatre as a method to spark dialogue about institutional climate and culture and improve performance in the workplace. |
The Chair's Role in Mentoring Graduate Students, Friday, October 28, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Room 3560, MU Presenter: Willliam Graves, Graduate College Dean |
Retaining our Faculty: Best Practices in Retention of Faculty, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Campanile Room, MU Presenter: Tera Jordan, Assistant Provost for Faculty Development |
Performance Evaluations: Working Through the Challenges, Monday, December 12, 2022, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Room 3560, MU Presenter: Dawn Bratsch-Prince, Associate Provost for Faculty |
Evaluation of Teaching 2.0, Thursday, February 16, 2023, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Room 3580, MU Presenter: Sara Marcketti, Director of CELT |
Faculty Advancement and Review: Outcomes and Discussion, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Room 3560, MU Presenters: Jonathan Wickert, Senior Vice President and Provost and Dawn Bratsch-Prince, Associate Provost for Faculty |
2022-2023 Virtual Chairs' Chats
Virtual Chairs’ Chats will occur monthly, 10:00 a.m to 10:50 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month (September through May). These fifty minute sessions will be used for delivering timely information, soliciting feedback, addressing topics of interest to you, or simply connecting.
New Academic Leadership Boot Camp
New (and newly interim) department chairs, school directors, associate chairs, and associate deans are invited to participate in a year-long series of in-person sessions. These meetings introduce new academic leaders to policies, practices, and people instrumental to a successful first year in leadership. Sessions are scheduled several times a month, on Friday mornings from 8:30 a.m to 9:45 a.m., in 2030 Morrill Hall.
| Date | Content |
|---|---|
| September 9, 2022 | Welcome and Introduction to Expectations for Academic Leadership |
| September 16, 2022 | Approaching Promotion and Tenure as New Administrators: Pitfalls and Best Practices |
| September 30, 2022 | Workday HCM for New Academic Administrators |
| October 7, 2022 | Delegation and Time Management: Utilizing the Resources Available |
| October 14, 2022 | Creating a Culture of Inclusivity |
| October 28, 2022 | Fostering Faculty Success |
| November 4, 2022 | Managing Financial Resources |
| November 11, 2022 | Conducting Effective Faculty and Staff Performance Evaluations |
| December 2, 2022 | Workday Finance |
| January 20, 2023 | Data-informed Decision-Making |
| January 27, 2023 | Equal Opportunity: What New Administrators Need to Know |
| February 3, 2023 | Mentoring and Supporting Graduate Students, Professional Students, and Postdocs |
| February 17, 2023 | Ethical Approaches to ISU's Research Enterprise |
| February 24, 2023 | Your Leadership Style and DiSC |
Resources
- Suggested reading list for new department chairs (DOC, 14KB)
- "Ethics, Integrity and Civility in Higher Education: New Approaches to Foster a Culture of Trust" powerpoint presentation by Neil Hamilton (PPT, 794KB)
- Iowa State University Department Chair: Role, Progression and Directions (PDF, 7.62MB)
- Sample candidate evaluation form (PDF, 39KB)
- For Chairs: The Seat's Gotten Hotter (PDF, 103KB)
- Thoughts for New Chairs from Dean Schmittmann (DOC, 22KB)
- American Council on Education's (ACE) Department Leadership Programs
- Departmental governance document guidelines (PDF, 21KB)
- Effective practices for academic leaders
- Harassment/Discrimination policy/resources
- ISU Policies and Guidelines for Flexible Faculty Careers: Resources for Chairs and Deans (PDF, 456KB)
- University of Michigan resources for deans and chairs
