Highlights from the First and Second 2023 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs

CIC’s 22nd annual Workshops for Department and Division Chairs are designed for incoming, new, and experienced chairs of departments or divisions at CIC member institutions and focus on effective strategies to develop leadership skills and an institution-wide vision in the context of uncertainty and change. The workshop helps chairs develop an institution-wide perspective and enhance important skills such as communicating effectively, collaborating across the institution, thinking strategically, and planning for the future. 

The first of four workshops of 2023 took place in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 23–25. Over 80 attendees from more than 35 institutions across the country participated in the first workshop to gain skills and perspectives useful to their roles and meet, collaborate with, and support colleagues who face comparable challenges at similar institutions. The second workshop of 2023 took place in Washington, DC, on May 5–7, with almost 40 participants from 25 institutions across the country.  

The speakers, each with a diverse background in higher education, were knowledgeable and experienced, and they delivered their presentations with enthusiasm and passion. Presentations included relevant topics such as “The Department or Division Budget,” “Using Data Effectively,” “Adhering to Institutional Procedures and Policies in Hiring Practices and Faculty Performance Evaluations,” “Dealing with Difficult Faculty Conversations,” and “Building and Maintaining an Inclusive Department.”  

The workshops aim to be engaging and immediately relevant.  Participants and their supervisors find that participation strengthens the department chairs’ leadership skills and increases their confidence in their roles. CIC remains committed to investing in the professional development of our institutional members’ department chairs. 

As of May 15, there are two remaining workshops in 2023: May 22–24 in Portland, Maine, and June 1–3 in Long Beach, California. This program is made possible by the generous support of Academic Search. 

2 photos of presenters speaking to a room of seated participants
The Workshop for Department and Division Chairs provided a collaborative and supportive environment where participants could learn from one another to strengthen their leadership skills and increase their confidence in their roles.
J. Andrew Prall, Aurora University, presenting.
J. Andrew Prall, Aurora University, presented about “Using Data Effectively” at the Workshop in Des Moines.
2 photos: Aimee Sapp, William Woods University, (left) and Anita Jones Thomas, St. Catherine University, presenting
Aimee Sapp, William Woods University, (left) and Anita Jones Thomas, St. Catherine University, co-facilitated two sessions in Des Moines: “Serving as Department or Division Chair: Beyond the Job Description” and “Becoming a Leader on Campus.”  
Jeff Rutenbeck, Arcadia University, presenting.
Jeff Rutenbeck, Arcadia University, led “The Department or Division Budget” session at the Workshop in Washington, DC.
Kathleen Rinehart, Conflict Consultants Network, LLC, presenting.
Kathleen Rinehart, Conflict Consultants Network, LLC, presented in Washington, DC, about preventative law. 
Tarshia L. Stanley, Wagner College, presenting.
Tarshia L. Stanley, Wagner College, facilitated a session called “Building and Maintaining an Inclusive Department” in Washington, DC.
LeeRay Costa, Hollins University, presenting.
“Dealing with Difficult Conversations” was led by LeeRay Costa, Hollins University, at the Workshop in Washington, DC.
2 photos: Matthew Oware (left), University of Richmond, and Jenna Templeton, Chatham University, presenting
Matthew Oware (left), University of Richmond, and Jenna Templeton, Chatham University, co-facilitated a session called “Beyond the Job Description” in Washington, DC.
Council of Independent Colleges