Today’s provosts must leverage every relationship in the academic community to keep their institutions vibrant and relevant. Perhaps the most important is that with faculty. Tradition has often had these roles at odds, but clearer and more collaborative strategies could position them to work in better consonance and maximize visioning and problem solving. This session looks at three purposeful approaches to moving toward better working relationships with faculty.
Part I of this session looks at Collaborative Culture as a High Value Approach. Rather than the often inherited adversarial, conflict laden, or conflict avoidant approaches to dealing with faculty and/or faculty leaders, provosts can choose to move toward a culture that sees trust-building and collaboration as high value investments. Learn some strategies for inviting faculty to adopt this same value system in partnership with the Provost Office.
Part II explores Addressing and Engaging Tensions Directly. Open and constructive discourse ensures collaborative work that is grounded in mutual respect, better supports effective shared decision-making, and enables institutions to move critical work forward. Participants will examine practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations with faculty in ways that reduce unnecessary conflict, foster shared problem solving, and strengthen trust. Attention will be given to approaches that address concerns before they escalate, deepen mutual understanding across roles, and disrupt “us versus them” dynamics.
Part III is a reminder that the only thing in control is The Provost. In an era when the shelf-life of the role seems to grow shorter by the admissions cycle, it’s important to constantly assess why this work is done, to understand where the approaches to building skill sets can continue to improve, to determinethe need for improvement, to acknowledge stopping points, and to know how to continue to find joy in this important work.
David Slade, Provost, Berry College (GA)
Tarshia Stanley, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, St. Olaf College (MN)
Lynda Szymanski, Provost, William Peace University (NC)
Chair: Tonya Wagner, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Enrollment, Viterbo University (WI)