Academic Leadership Expert to Visit UC April 4 to Meet with Faculty

Author

Brent Ruben

, a nationally recognized researcher in the area of leadership within academia, will visit campus on

April 4

, meeting with faculty, department heads, deans and others as part of the

Department Head Leadership initiative

sponsored by the Office of the Provost to enhance support for department chairs and for faculty interested in pursuing academic leadership.

Ruben is distinguished professor of communication and executive director of the Rutgers Center for Organizational Development and Leadership, director of Rutgers Leadership Academy and of the University Pre-Doctoral Leadership Develop Institute as well as a member of the University Administrative Council. His published books and articles include his work as co-author of the recently released “A Guide for Leaders in Higher Education: Core Concepts, Competencies and Tools.” (Stylus Publishing, 2017)

The day’s meetings with provostal staff, deans, department chairs and future faculty leaders will be capped by a reception open to all faculty at

4 p.m. in Room 160, Teachers College.

Organizing the day’s events are Howard Jackson, professor of physics and former UC vice president for research, in partnership with Eileen Strempel, senior vice provost for academic affairs, with the goal of advancing ongoing discussions around faculty development as well as programmatic needs to support new unit heads.

“Dr. Ruben’s visit is part of an ongoing effort on behalf of the Office of the Provost to invest in the University of Cincinnati’s greatest asset: our people. Taking the time to intentionally develop our future leaders is absolutely vital if we are to continue our upward trajectory.”

Jackson added this visit will further discussion and focus on needs and best practices in support of department chairs, especially as this is often the first formal leadership role for most faculty and one that directly impacts faculty satisfaction and retention.

Suggested reading on this topic to prepare for April 4:

• Inside Higher Ed: “Forgotten Chairs” details a new study with findings that training for department chairs is inadequate at most institutions.

• Chronicle of Higher Education: “What Four Colleges Are Doing to Groom New Leaders” was just published Jan. 15, 2017, and features Rutgers University efforts, as well as those at Ohio State University, the University of South Carolina, and Stanford University. (Subscription required.)

• Excerpt from “A Guide for Leaders in Higher Education: Core Concepts, Competencies and Tools.” (Stylus Publishing, 2017)

For more information, contact Senior Vice Provost Strempel at

eileen.strempel@uc.edu

or Professor Jackson at

howard.jackson@uc.edu

.