To maximize administrative effectiveness and assure continued professional fulfillment, chairs and directors learn to balance the often conflicting roles of academic-unit leader and faculty member. Collaborative relationships and open communication with University administrators and faculty members create an environment that fosters ongoing chair and director professional development and satisfaction. Underpinning their success is clear articulation of responsibilities, expectations, and rewards.

Administrative Development Searches (University of North Carolina)

Links to publications, Internet sites, and other resources organized by administrative development topic, such as conflict management, fundraising, gender-related issues, recruitment of faculty, etc.

Being Chair, by Nancy Marion (Dartmouth College)

Advice from a former department chair to new department chairs.

Chair Development: Chair Development Resources (Union University)

Articles of interest to department chairs.

Links to Useful Resources (University of Missouri, President's Academic Leadership Institute

Links to useful sites for department chairs and directors.

Once a Scholar, Always a Scholar, by Bridget Murray (Monitor on Psychology)

Advice on how a department chair can still find time to be a scholar.

The Academic Chairperson's Handbook, by John W. Creswell et al.
LB 2341 .A217 1990

A guide to using leadership to promote faculty growth and professional development. See: First, Consider Your Own Development.

The Administrative Portfolio: A Practical Guide to Improved Administrative Performance and Personnel Decisions, by Peter Seldin and Mary Lou Higgerson
LB 2331.696 .S45 2002

A guide to designing and improving administrative portfolios. Includes sample administrative portfolios.

Chairing an Academic Department, by Walter H. Gmelch and Val D. Miskin
LB 2341 .G555 2004

A guide to being a department chair. See particularly: Chair as Scholar: The Paradox of the Swivel Chair.