2008 Workshops for
Department and Division Chairs: Advancing the Department

Theme

Advancing the Department

“Advancing the Department” is the theme of this year’s workshops, which provide chairs with skills and strategies to serve as front-line administrators and to strengthen their departments. Few people are fully prepared when assuming a department or division chairmanship to develop marketing plans for the department, manage situations of conflict, use data to understand student recruitment, adhere to the best legal practices, understand current legal issues for campuses, and work effectively within the administrative structure of the institution. Workshop leaders will share a variety of instruments, strategies, and approaches for addressing these key areas in which chairs have responsibility. The programs will feature opportunities to try practical applications of the topics presented and materials to guide participants upon their return to campus.

This year's workshop topics include:

Marketing the Department
How do department or division chairs work with department faculty members and the admissions office to attract students to their programs? Recruiting students for the department is often a significant responsibility for the chair. Workshop leaders will provide an overview of prospective students’ behaviors and attitudes and explain strategies for developing a marketing plan, reflecting the strengths and needs of the department while reinforcing institutional marketing efforts. Chairs will have an opportunity to begin shaping a marketing plan, using institutional data to focus on departmental strengths as well as areas that need attention.

Using Data to Develop a Marketing Plan for the Department
Apart from curricular enhancement and faculty selection and development, the most important challenge for many department chairs is maintaining the desired number of majors, both entering into and finishing the program, and shaping the quality of those students. The use of data is essential as departments cooperate with the college admissions office to target prospective students and ensure that the department’s offerings are presented clearly and often. Using data from their own institutions, participants will be shown how to use metrics relating to the internal and external demand for their majors to make the case for necessary institutional resources and to measure progress in attaining their goals.

The Theory and Practice of Conflict Management
Conflict between individuals or groups within a department or between departments often occurs, but chairs are not always prepared to address the source of the problems. Frameworks for understanding the source of conflict and approaches to managing the underlying issues will be explored. Chairs will have an opportunity to practice dealing with conflict in a safe setting.

Negotiating Skills
Chairs receive requests, work to resolve conflicts, and strive to advance the work of the department as they interact with students, faculty members, staff, administrators, and the public. What negotiation skills assist them in their work? How can they recognize the tactics that others are using and respond effectively? What can they do to move negotiations forward productively?

Preventive Law
Lawyers familiar with legal issues at private colleges and universities will explain the basic principles with which department chairs should be familiar and situations in which it is necessary to document actions. Emphasis will be placed on anticipating and thereby preventing legal problems.

Current Legal Issues for Departments
Experts on legal issues for private colleges and universities will discuss topics of current relevance to chairs—particularly intellectual property law and faculty grievances in matters such as discrimination and retaliation.

Working with the Chief Academic Officer
What do chief academic officers expect of department chairs? What are the do’s and don’ts for department/division chairs in creating an effective working relationship with the CAO?

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Who Should Attend?

The workshops are designed to serve both experienced and new chairs of departments or divisions at independent colleges and universities. Campuses are encouraged to send several department chairs to the workshop so they may support one another in instituting change upon return to their campus. The workshops can, if a team attends, build stronger working relationships among institutional chairs. A single representative from an institution also would find the workshop helpful. Chief academic officers, deans, and associate deans who work closely with chairs would find the program beneficial and are welcome to attend. Institutions may wish to send chairs to programs in different locations to gain the perspectives of different speakers on the same topic and learn from multiple approaches to the workshop topics. Registration is limited to chairs and other academic administrators at private colleges and universities.

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Preliminary Schedule for Workshops in Atlanta, Chicago, and Albany

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Workshop Leaders

At each workshop, presenters will include an attorney who is experienced in the legal issues confronting chairs at independent colleges and universities, experts on session topics (marketing the department, using data, and conflict management), a CIC staff member with a broad perspective on the issues faced by chairs, and an experienced chief academic officer from a private institution who is knowledgeable about the work of chairs. The following experts will lead sessions and make presentations at the workshops:

April 4-5: Portland, OR

Kris Bartanen is academic vice president and dean of the university at the University of Puget Sound. Previously, she served seven years as chair of the communication and theatre arts department at the University prior to becoming associate academic dean and later vice president for student affairs. She is a member of the CIC Chief Academic Officers Task Force.

Claudia DeVries Beversluis is provost at Calvin College where she began her academic career in 1990, first as a faculty member in the psychology department and later as dean for instruction. Prior to coming to Calvin, she served as a clinical psychologist specializing in child, adolescent, and family therapy. She is co-editor of Community and Connection: Service Learning and Christian Higher Education and is a 2007 CIC Department Chair Workshop leader.

Catherine R. Cook, CEO of Miller/Cook & Associates, Inc., has held a variety of academic roles during her more than two-decade career in higher education. She has served as a full-time faculty member, assistant dean for academic affairs, chief retention officer, and director of the freshman-year experience, and as vice president for enrollment management. Cook’s research interests include the sustained viability of special niche private colleges and universities as well as the design of revenue-based enrollment management systems.

Melinda W. Grier has served as general counsel for the University of Oregon since 1998. She worked for the Oregon University System beginning in 1977 as director of legal services and compliance officer. Grier was chosen president of the National Association of College and University Attorneys for 2005–2006 and also has held other roles in the association, including treasurer. She is a frequent speaker on issues related to higher education and civil rights and authored a chapter on “Risk Management and Liability Issues for Fraternal Organizations” in The Administration of Fraternal Organizations on American Campuses: A Pattern for the New Millennium by Dennis E. Gregory and Associates. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at the UO School of Law, teaching employment discrimination law.

Michael Williams is president of The Austen Group, a firm that has provided institutional research for more than 60 small colleges and universities in the areas of admissions, financial aid leveraging, program mix, and retention. In his work with CIC, he has produced the Key Indicators Tool and the Financial Indicators Tool, which assist college and university presidents in analyzing the financial health of their institutions. He was a member and chair of the English department at William Jewell College.

May 20-22: Atlanta, GA

E. Gail Gunnells heads her own law firm, E. Gail Gunnells, P.C., and practices in the area of technology and higher education law. Before entering private practice, she served as deputy chief legal advisor for the Georgia Institute of Technology Office of Legal Affairs for nine years. She currently provides legal counsel to the University System of Georgia in the areas of technology and intellectual property. She is a frequent speaker and an active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

Robert K. Holyer, provost of Presbyterian College, has also served as chief academic officer at Lyon College and Randolph-Macon College. Earlier in his career, he was chair of the department of religion at Converse College. He is a board member of the Wye Faculty Seminars and has served as a facilitator for the Educational Leadership Program at Troutbeck.

R. Christopher Qualls, dean of faculty at Emory & Henry College, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has also served as a faculty member at Emory & Henry College, Radford University, and David Lipscomb University. He was the recipient of the 2004 Excellence in Teaching Award from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. He is a frequent presenter at the Southeastern Psychological Association’s annual meeting and makes presentations at community events.

Robert Sevier, senior vice president, strategy, at Stamats, Inc., oversees the organization’s research, consulting, and planning projects and personally assists dozens of colleges and universities with their branding, marketing, and strategic initiatives. Sevier recently published his sixth book, An Integrated Marketing Workbook for Colleges and Universities: A Step-by-Step Planning Guide.

Michael Williams is president of The Austen Group, a firm that has provided institutional research for more than 60 small colleges and universities in the areas of admissions, financial aid leveraging, program mix, and retention. In his work with CIC, he has produced the Key Indicators Tool and the Financial Indicators Tool, which assist college and university presidents in analyzing the financial health of their institutions. He was a member and chair of the English department at William Jewell College.

May 28-30: Chicago, IL

Connie Bauer, provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Saint Francis in Illinois, previously served as vice president and dean for academic affairs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College for ten years and in various academic leadership positions for ten years at Antioch University. She is a consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and has led sessions at the CIC Workshop for New Chief Academic Officers.

Jane T. Jakoubek joined Monmouth College (IL) as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty in 2006. Earlier she served in a comparable role at Hanover College for 11 years, during which the faculty developed a new curriculum and expanded study-abroad opportunities for students. She also has served as a professor of psychology and department head at Luther College. Her research areas include institutional change and the support of new faculty members. She is a frequent presenter at the CIC Institute for Chief Academic Officers.

David Mee is senior consultant and director of enrollment solutions for Performa Higher Education. His consulting work is based on 20 years of experience in enrollment management. Previously, he served as vice president for enrollment management at Milligan College, overseeing undergraduate and graduate admissions as well as student success (retention programming). He also served as director of admissions at Samford University and Houghton College. In his role at Performa Higher Education, Mee manages the firm’s college enrollment consulting services.

Kathleen A. Rinehart is a partner and leads the education law practice for Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, S.C. Her experience encompasses legal issues regarding evaluations, hiring and firing, and copyright and fair use. She serves as general counsel to several colleges and universities. She has been a featured speaker at employment and human resources seminars and is a member of the board of directors of the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

Richard J. Sherry is dean of faculty growth and assessment at Bethel University where he supervises instructional evaluation, chairs the College Program Assessment Committee, and has primary oversight for development of the institutional assessment plan. As a consultant, he has advised campuses on faculty evaluation programs and institutional assessment; he often makes presentations on these topics at conferences, including the 2007 Department/Division Chair Workshops. At Bethel, he initiated the Department Chair Handbook. Earlier in his career, he was chair of the division of English and communication arts at Asbury College.

June 3-5: Albany, NY

Andrea E. Chapdelaine, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Albright College, is a social psychologist who has conducted research on fairness in close relationships and interpersonal perception accuracy. Earlier in her career, she was a faculty member at Albright College, Trinity College (CT), and Wabash College. She serves on the national board of the Council of Undergraduate Research and as a facilitator of workshops on building and sustaining undergraduate research programs.

Virginia M. Coombs, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Keuka College, has previously served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and vice president of academic affairs and dean of the college at Central College. She is a consultant evaluator for ACE’s MIVER (Military Installation Voluntary Education Review) and has made presentations on the work of the chief academic officer for the American Conference of Academic Deans.

Thomas S. D’Antonio, founding partner of Ward Norris Heller & Reidy LLP, has particular expertise in the legal representation of institutions of higher learning. His higher education work involves, in addition to employment and discrimination defense, matters involving tenure review and denial, tenure revocation and faculty separation, scientific and academic misconduct investigations, university governance, student discipline claims, and serious general liability matters. D’Antonio has been named for the past ten years to the roster of the Best Lawyers in America; he also is the recipient of the William E. McKnight Award, for outstanding pro bono service.

John Lawlor is the founder and principal of The Lawlor Group (TLG), a full-service market research, brand management, and marketing communications firm that works almost exclusively with private education clients. Over the course of 20 years, TLG has conducted extensive research with prospective and current students and parents, alumni, and others to better inform enrollment management and institutional marketing strategies and tactics. Lawlor publishes The Lawlor Review, a highly regarded journal; Lawlor Perspective, a series of white papers for senior management and trustees; and an electronic newsletter, Lawlor Focus.

Richard J. Sherry is dean of faculty growth and assessment at Bethel University where he supervises instructional evaluation, chairs the College Program Assessment Committee, and has primary oversight for development of the institutional assessment plan. As a consultant, he has advised campuses on faculty evaluation programs and institutional assessment; he often makes presentations on these topics at conferences, including the 2007 Department/Division Chair Workshops. At Bethel, he initiated the Department Chair Handbook. Earlier in his career, he was chair of the division of English and communication arts at Asbury College.

The following CIC staff will attend selected workshops:

Barbara Hetrick, senior vice president of the Council of Independent Colleges, is the former vice president and dean of the college at Catawba College. She was vice president for academic affairs and professor of sociology and anthropology at the College of Wooster from 1997 to 2003 and vice president and dean of academic affairs at Hood College from 1984 to 1995. She also has served as vice president of the Maryland Independent College and University Association.

Mary Ann F. Rehnke, vice president for programs of the Council of Independent Colleges, is a former faculty member in the department of literature and languages who also served as associate dean of the college at the College of St. Catherine and Daemen College. She edited Liberal Learning and Career Preparation, Is This Good for Our Students?, and wrote “The Life of a Department Chair.” She works with advisory groups to plan the CIC Department/Division Chair Workshops.

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Workshop Costs and Registration

Member colleges:
$380 for the first person
$320 for each additional person

Nonmember colleges:
$480 for the first person
$420 for each additional person

To register for the workshops, use the online registration form.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be made in full (less a $50 processing fee) for cancellations received more than ten business days prior to the workshop for which participants have registered. Refund requests received between five and ten business days of the start of the workshop incur a charge equal to 25 percent of the total registration fee. Requests received fewer than five business days prior to the start of the workshop are ineligible for a refund. Please send cancellation requests, in writing, to the attention of Leslie Rogers, CIC Conference Manager, by fax to (202) 466-7238 or by email to lrogers@cic.nche.edu. Registrations are transferable within an institution.

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Workshop Site, Hotel, and Travel Information

Workshops will be held at hotels in four locations: