ERIC Number: ED665255
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 138
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3468-6741-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Qualitative Study Describing the Transition from Faculty to Department Chair at Community Colleges
Lloyd Clinton Cutkelvin Jr.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Manhattanville University
This study examined the experiences of faculty members who transitioned into the role of department chair at community colleges in the United States. While there is research on faculty transitioning into department chair roles at four-year colleges and universities, there is very little research on this transition within community college settings. The study focused on first-time department chairs within public community colleges' Arts and Sciences Departments, using Gmelch and Miskin's (2004) Academic Leader Development theory as a guiding framework to explore faculty preparedness before becoming a department chair. The study involved interviews with 14 participants to determine (a) their underlying perceptions regarding the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the department chair position within community colleges, (b) the essential skills and competencies they possess before assuming the role of a department chair, and (c) the support institutions provide to beginning department chairs to help them evolve into their roles and establish their professional identities. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with community college department chairs from geographic areas that included the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and West regions of the United States. The findings were aligned with previous research conducted at four-year institutions, underscoring the critical need for targeted leadership training and ongoing support for the department chair. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Community Colleges, College Faculty, Faculty Promotion, Academic Rank (Professional), Department Heads, Teacher Attitudes, Career Development, Professional Identity, Administrator Role, Administrator Qualifications, Institutional Role, Faculty College Relationship
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A