A Content Analysis of Department Chair Qualifications: What Has Changed in 20 Years?

• In Event: 51.081 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Nine - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 51.081-1 - Leadership and Administration: Understanding Higher Education Roles and Outcomes

Abstract

Scholars estimate that department chairs are responsible for 80% of departmental academic decisions that impact a wide array of stakeholders. However, the department chair role remains one of the least studied and most frequently misunderstood academic leadership positions. This study is a content analysis of department chair position announcements published in the Chronicle of Higher Education in 1995, 2005, and 2015 to investigate patterns of qualifications and responsibilities regarding the department chairs/heads roles related to leadership, preparation, faculty development, and diversity. Findings show how little the qualifications for department chair aligns with the reality of what is required including the lack of intentional language to actively recruit a diverse pool of applicants.

Authors

• Amanda L. Nolen, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Leigh Settlemoir Dzwik, Oakland University

• Jim Vander Putten, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Herlanda Hampton, University of Arkansas at Little Rock