Education & Reference, Higher & Continuing Education, Administration, Reform & Policy, Economics 

"To ensure its continued validity, higher education needs tochange, something it cannot do without the participation ofdepartment chairs. In this book, Ann Lucas has assembled some ofthe most thoughtful people in higher education to provide the 'lineleaders' of higher education with the essential knowledge they needto bring those changes about."--Margaret A. Miller, president, American Association for HigherEducation"Department chairs are typically amateurs, entering upon theirposition for a limited time with no formal training to prepare themfor the many roles and responsibilities that the job requires. Bothnew chairs and more experienced ones will find in Leading AcademicChange help in dealing with problems they are facing as well asinspiration and insights to go beyond minimum expectations andprovide leadership for the future."--W.J. McKeachie, professor of psychology, University ofMichigan"With practical advice and a platform of sound social science,Lucas offers a promising paradigm for chairs to move theirdepartments from a federation of islands to a decision-makingteam."--Carla B. Howery, deputy executive officer, American SociologicalAssociationFor the 80,000 department chairs working on campuses across thenation, this visionary yet practical book shows how to manageacademic change at the department level. It provides useful ideasand strategies on handling resistance to change, transformingdepartments into productive learning communities, and improvingeducational quality for students. In twelve incisive chapters, topacademic scholars, authors, and consultants address topics andtrAnds as diverse as service learning, technological change,curriculum renewal, faculty reward systems, and post-tenure review.They offer effective models to help department chairs andadministrators work through the change process, includingrecommAndations based on real-world experiences. They alsointegrate the latest research with examples of best practices intoa readable, accessible format. Whether you are a department chair,administrator, or a faculty member aspiring to improve yourdepartment, Leading Academic Change is the expert's guide tomobilizing faculty energy towards academic success. - from Amzon