2019 Department Chair Boot Camp

This is a three-day seminar designed and intended for new academic department chairs and academic center directors. As part of the university’s continuing efforts to better support and prepare chairs and directors, the seminar provides a hands-on primer on how to lead a department or academic center.

The seminar provides insight on a wide variety of topics – from how to adjust to the new roles’ rhythms, handle difficult conversations and manage various unexpected issues, to budgets, fundraising, governance, and diversity and inclusion. The seminar also provides an excellent opportunity for new chairs to meet former chairs, as well as network and develop relationships with others who are beginning their leadership journey.

An event notification and invitation has been sent to eligible department chairs and center directors. Please contact Tanya Hubanks (tanya.hubanks@wisc.edu), Office of the Provost, to register.

Program

— Wednesday, August 21 —

8:30-9am – Breakfast

9-10:30am – Welcome and Introductions | What Chairs Need to Know: Resources, People and the Annual Cycle

10:30-10:45am – Break

10:45am-noon – Leadership Expectation: Surviving the Everyday, Plan for the Future

Noon-1pm – Lunch

1-2:30pm – Living with Disruptions, Ambiguity and Unexpected Issues | Issues Management

— Thursday, August 22 —

8:30-9am – Breakfast

9-10:30am – Money and Budgets

10:30-10:45am – Break

10:45am-12:30pm – Effective Departmental Governance: Meetings, Committees and Strategic Planning

12:30-1:30pm – Lunch

1:30-3pm – Creating and Maintaining a Diverse and Inclusive Departments

— Friday, August 23 —

8:30-9am – Breakfast

9-10:15am – Managing Conflict and Having Difficult Conversations

10:15-10:30am – Break

10:30-11:45am – Mentoring Faculty and Staff: It’s More Than Tenure and Promotion

Noon-1pm – Lunch

1-2:15pm – Communication, Outreach and Fundraising

2:15-2:30pm – Closing