Effective Practices for Academic Leaders: Becoming a Department Chair: To Be or Not to Be

Executive Summary This briefing is an exploration of the path an individual might take in deciding to become a department chair. It gives advice concerning the challenges, rewards, and strategies for success and survival to prospective chairs (and their deans). It discusses some basics about the job, and the motivation expressed by chairs as they undertake this responsibility. It asks: Do you really want this job? and explores that issue through a series of questions. It also looks at steps to take once you have said, yes.