This chapter examines an underexplored way in which deans enact their authority in Responsibility Center Budgeting (RCB)--mobilizing the expertise of administrators in their colleges to establish academic and budgetary priorities. The findings underscore the benefits of deans harnessing the expertise of their senior administrative teams to make…

Among persistence and retention agenda initiatives undertaken by colleges and universities, gateway-course improvement efforts are often overlooked. However, the engagement of diverse institutional stakeholders in the transformation of gateway courses can contribute significantly to student success. Chief academic officers are in a unique position…

In the popular movie series "Pirates of the Caribbean," there is a pirate code that influences how pirates behave in unclear situations, with a running joke about whether the code is either a set of rules or guidelines for behavior. Codes of conduct in any social group or organization can have much the same feel; they can provide clarity and…

The concept of actively leading constituents, internal and external, is second nature to many university administrators in most areas, except one: fundraising. For many university presidents and academic deans, it's a part of the job that is not well defined or well understood. They know there is an expectation that private funds will flow into…

When the H1N1 virus ascended to national attention in April 2009, colleges and universities in the United States were thrust into the role of managing an unforeseen health crisis. While other institutions were scrambling to coordinate the appropriate crisis response to the H1N1 virus, Babson College was using the lessons it had learned during its…

A system is proposed for evaluating the academic dean that takes into account the values of each respondent, and helps provide valuable information for undertaking an evaluation in any academic setting. The proposed questionnaire is included in this article. (Author/LBH)

The reputation of UC Merced as a student centered research university rested on administration's success in attracting top-flight faculty. This chapter describes how this process started, through choosing the deans, then recruiting the faculty. As faculty arrived, the academic picture came into focus. Not surprisingly, the initial ideas about …

The potential roles of department heads, deans, and faculty development directors in guiding and monitoring the effective delivery of faculty incentives are outlined, and key factors in facilitating and inhibiting vitality and signs of increased vitality are listed. (MSE)

The dean of the social work school in a public research university reflects on how the nature of the institution affects the dean's role and presents unique leadership challenges. Issues discussed include budgetary pressures, concerns about the student population, the aging infrastructure for education and research, shifting priorities, global…

An experienced dean of nursing at a major research university reflects on the leadership requirements of his role and varied relationships with staff, provost, other key administrators, and external constituencies, including donors. Issues discussed include reconciling internal and external roles, creating strategies to achieve institutional…

As campus computing is decentralized, new responsibilities will devolve to deans. These can be met by appointing faculty committees to develop academic computing plans for teaching and research, assigning departmental staff to administrative systems project development teams, and forming new alliances with directors responsible for academic and…

Although the job of a professional school dean is complex and demanding and the skills it requires are varied, it is important for the dean to acknowledge the limitations of both the job and the individual in it. Only time tells whether innovations, programs, customs, and direction created and nurtured by the dean reflect true leadership by…

One professional school dean's experience with strengthening the scholarly activities of his faculty illustrate the dean's advocacy role, which requires the ability to maintain working relationships with faculty while pressing for change. The evolution of the administrator's strategy for changing the faculty culture is chronicled, and issues…

American graduate students must learn to contribute to international communication in their fields. International studies for research-oriented programs and practitioner programs, international exchange programs, and the role of graduate deans are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Understanding and communication between the off-campus culture of practicing professionals and the on-campus culture of academic research and education require special skills of the professional school dean including maintaining a sense of fairness, insisting on excellence, encouraging collaboration, demonstrating respect for faculty governance…