The role of the department chair as the interface between faculty and administration is considered, along with the selection, orientation, socialization, and evaluation of the chair. Attention is directed to constraints under which chairs work that are beyond their control and the way that the resulting conflict, overload, and ambiguity impede…

This article proposes that the task of providing useful information for deans and department heads has major implications for the role and preparation of college and university institutional researchers. Six areas for consideration are examined: local needs assessment, data integrity and interpretation, collaboration, skills and knowledge bases,…

This paper predicts that there will be 129 presidential vacancies each year in the nation's community colleges, and that individuals moving from one presidency to another will likely fill only 30% of these vacancies. The author offers suggestions for preparing community college leaders for the future, including: (1) the American Association for…

Informal discussions between librarians and information technologists at Indiana University-Bloomington concerning the commonalities of their careers in information evolved into an ambitious collaborative program of professional development. A series of workshops focused on specific current professional challenges. Content emphasized collaboration…

The relationship between career orientation of college institutional research/planning officers and perceptions of organizational and political environments was investigated, based on a survey of 154 officers in public doctoral-granting institutions. Of the 106 respondents, 53 percent were directors of institutional research/planning; 26 percent…

Colleges can use institutionally-sponsored internships, in-house opportunities to participate in the daily activities of leadership, to let employees learn the culture of leadership and interact with staff currently in such positions. Administrative internships at Pennsylvania State University, Eastern Illinois University, and Arizona State…

Early collaborative efforts between librarians and computing professionals at Rice University (Texas) led to the realization that some organizational restructuring was needed to effectively serve changing user needs. A new approach to delivering user services has not only benefited users but also resulted in growth and skills development for…

The nature and extent of conditions or barriers that inhibit women administrators in their professional responsibilities and careers were studied. A questionnaire mailed to 241 women was completed by 168 women with executive, administrative, and managerial responsibilities in nine universities of the State University System of Florida. The…