It Was My Turn: Department Chairs' Motivations to Lead

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Insights into Motivation in Education Contexts: Leadership Roles, Growth Mindset, and Goal Commitments (Table 8)

Abstract

Department Chairs in higher education are chosen from the ranks of faculty, selected or elected to serve in the liminal position between faculty and administrator. As a middle manager and leader, the Chair liaises with internal and external stakeholders. Chairs' tasks are numerous and vary but often include hiring, mentoring, and evaluating faculty. In this position of influence, Chairs' motivations for serving in the role may provide faculty, senior administrators, and current Chairs valuable insight into how Chairs perceive their power. Motivations may relate to Chairs' feelings of self-efficacy. Using interviews with thirteen participants, this research aims to shed light on Chairs' motivations to serve and thus inform the selection and development of Chairs.

Author

• Yevgeniya Rivers, University of New Haven