Navigating the Department Chair Position: Is It Different for Females?

Jennifer Faison-Hodge, Capital University

Doris Screws, Alabama State University

AAHPERD April 2, 2009

Tampa, Florida

Rationale for the Roundtable

Few females are in department chair/ leadership positions in higher education

Female department chairs are faced with additional challenges during their tenure as chairs when compared to their male counterparts

Department chairs, particular female department chairs, do not have an opportunity for networking, & open & honest discourse with other department chairs, faculty, & administrators

Objectives of the Roundtable

Discuss the pros and cons of being a department chair

Discuss the roles and responsibilities of department chairs

Discuss how you & others will measure your success as a department chair

Discuss questions you should ask yourself before you accept the department chair position

List the Pros of Being a Department Chair

List the Cons of Being a Department Chair

Discuss the roles & responsibilities of a department

chair

Personnel Curriculum Management

DepartmentalFinancialFacilitiesData

Student Others

Discuss how you & others will “measure” your success as a

department chair

Questions to ask yourself before you accept

the department chair position

Why do I really want to be chair of this department?Do I have the support of the faculty in my department?Do I understand my role & responsibilities for this

position?Do I understand the compensation for this position?Do I have supportive administration at my university?Do I have support staff that will make my job easier?Do I have a supportive family structure?How long is the term of the chair position?How will I be evaluated as the chair?Where am I in the tenure and promotion process of my

professional career?

Final Thoughts

Other points once you accept the position: Delegate & set deadlines for assignments Keep good records & hard or electronic copies of everything Put important dates on calendars for the entire academic year

Annual report due dates; open house dates; committee dates;Budget due dates; advising dates; bulletin copy revision due

dates;Time Scheduling due dates; textbook request datesBirthdays, important holidays, etc.

Take time to “know” your support staff, full-time & part-time faculty

Read all the details of your minutes, especially from the dean Set the departmental meeting dates for the entire semester Read everything before you sign (your signature becomes

powerful!)