Community colleges have a history of being capable of adapting to change, and the current world of competing budget priorities, fast-changing technology, and postsecondary competition challenges these colleges as never before. The result is a need for strong leadership across all levels of administration, especially at the department chair level…

Having a strong, positive departmental chair is critical to enhancing and assuring faculty performance and student learning. Poor leadership, however, can result in increased faculty turn over, poor teaching and research performance, and even the discouragement of students from enrolling. The current study explored response strategies by faculty…

The quality of college faculty members is directly linked to the institutional experience that students encounter, and as such, administrators and leaders are deeply concerned about the productivity, professionalism, and ability of their faculty. One result has been an extreme investment in faculty development and renewal activities, including…

As challenges facing higher education continue to evolve, there is a need for colleges and universities to develop administrative leadership. Current activities tend to be limited, although there are a number of association and institutionally sponsored programs that serve limited populations. The current discussion focused on reviewing the…

Discusses a study that examines department chairs' beliefs about the role of faculty in departmental governance and the characteristics of an ideal governance structure. Concludes that faculty's key role is helping clarify the administrators' responsibilities, and that faculty members should be rewarded for their participation and empowered to…

Examines possible strategies that department chairs can use to better manage scarce resources. Strategies such as addressing issues of human resource management jointly with fiscal issues and relying more heavily on academic program planning at the departmental level were found to be effective. Conversely, reduced program offerings and longer work…

Describes a study of 3,000 department heads at U.S. community colleges to determine their perceptions of their responsibility to offer student services at the department level. Indicates that scheduling classes, responding to student interests, and integrating computers into instruction were rated highly, while emphasizing transfer received low…

This document describes the findings from a survey conducted to compare the middle-level managers, department, and unit chairs and heads in Alabama's two-year colleges with those identified in the National Community College Chair Academy Survey of 1994. In particular, the study was designed to note differences or similarities between the national…

Examines the extent to which faculty senate leadership provides exposure to important skills required for ascension to a presidency, along with preparation to succeed in various roles. Details survey data from a sample that included 150 community college presidents and 150 community college faculty senate leaders. (Contains 25 references.)…

Describes a study of 3,000 community college department chairs to identify and prioritize strategies used to cope with job-related challenges. Indicates that top strategies were related to relations with business and industry, maintaining the chair position, and internal departmental operations. Discusses implications for future research. (10…

Explores the beliefs and values of women in two-year college departmental chair positions. Finds that dominant beliefs are related to educational philosophies and program outcomes, while secondary beliefs and values are related to student-centered issues, suggesting that women in chair positions have a traditional view of themselves as internal…

Describes a study to identify sources of revenue for community colleges, and department chairs' perceptions of their primary financial management roles. Reports that the main source of funding was public money, while only 40.2% of the respondents indicated that seeking external funding was important or very important. (10 citations) (AJL)

Despite contemporary efforts to develop lists of department chair tasks and responsibilities, there is no historical foundation available for understanding the department chair position. This study was designed to identify the critical incidents and factors which impacted on the development of the department chair position in higher education from…

This study reports on the job challenges and corresponding response strategies that department chairs at graduate and undergraduate colleges and universities encounter and rely upon. Literature and research related to marketing department chairs, marketing education, and marketing majors indicates that business schools have come under attack by…