From Faculty to Academic Leader: Career Choice or Accidental Administration

• In Event: Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Contemporary Perspectives in Career Development

Abstract

In higher education, the development of academic leaders is at a critical juncture. Scholars and administrators alike have expressed concern about the great leadership crisis in higher education. What are we doing on our campuses to address this crisis? The preparation of academic leaders takes time, training, and commitment; not all department chairs and deans make this successful career transition to academic leadership. This research report investigated a campus program designed to development department and college leaders, not managers, in a more systematic and continuous manner. Its strategy, structure, system and skill development are generalizable to other campuses with the hope that others will benefit from this campus program and year-long study.

Author

• Walter H. Gmelch, University of San Francisco