Today’s provosts must leverage every relationship in the academic community to keep our institutions vibrant and relevant. Perhaps the most important is that with our faculty. Tradition has often had us at odds, but we know clearer and more collaborative strategies could position us to work in better consonance and maximize our visioning and problem-solving. This session looks at three purposeful approaches to moving us 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, we 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 reminds us that the only thing we can really 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 we do this work, to understand where our approaches to building our skill sets can continue to improve, to determine where we need improvement, to acknowledge when we’ve had enough, and to know how we can 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, Vice President for Academic Affairs, William Peace University (NC)