At the end of this program, department chair participants should be able to:

• Identify their core strengths and potential derailers through self-reflection and assessment tools.
• Demonstrate how self-awareness can be used to build and lead high-functioning academic departments.
• Interpret feedback from self-assessments and colleagues to enhance their own self-awareness.
• Analyze varying interpersonal styles and perspectives to more effectively engage with faculty colleagues and leaders across their institution.
• Apply leadership strategies that promote psychological safety, collaboration, and constructive dissent in their department. 

In-Person Event:  Alignment and Kickoff

A 1.5 day kickoff event will be held with the department chairs, facilitators, and TBC representatives. Sessions include:

Setting the Stage: Program Overview & The Role of the Department Chair 

Associate/Vice Provost Panel Discussion 

Panelists:

Colin Blakely, Associate Provost at RISD

Colleen Ryan, Vice Provost for Faculty at Tufts University

Billy Soo, Professor & Vice Provost for Faculties at Boston College

Edie Sparks, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences at Suffolk University 

Understanding Yourself as a Leader: CliftonStrengths Assessment

Leading with Intention: Identifying Your Leadership Priorities

Understanding Your Interpersonal Style: Deloitte Business Chemistry Assessment 

Facilitators:

Bob Caron, Senior Manager, Higher Education at Deloitte

Kelsey Tardiff, Massachusetts Higher Education Client Relationship Executive at Deloitte 

Fostering Faculty Morale & Creating a High-Functioning Department Culture 

Virtual Facilitated Group Sessions

Session 1:  Building High-Performance Teamwork and Collaboration in Your Department 

Speaker:  Terrill Drake, Chief Community and Culture Officer at Harvard Business School 

Session 2:  Strategic Leadership: Influence, Persuasion, and Navigating Resistance to Change

Speakers:

Rupendra Paliwal, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Bryant University

Paul Tesluk, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bentley University 

Session 3:  The Conflict-Competent Chair: Difficult Conversations and Constructive Conflict Management 

Speaker:  Jonathan Millen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Wheaton College 

Session 4:  Managing Compliance & Institutional Risk

Speakers:

Meredith Ainbinder, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Brandeis University

Lili Palacios-Baldwin, Vice President and General Counsel at Tufts University 

Session 5:  Budgeting & Resource Management 

Speakers:

Dottie Hauver, Sr. Vice President for Administration/Finance & Treasurer at the College of the Holy Cross

Nicole Tirella, Sr. Vice President, CFO & Treasurer at Boston University

Learning Circles

In between modules, chairs will attend four 1-hour virtual small group sessions to connect informally, discuss themes from the most recent sessions, and work through challenges together. 

In-Person Event:  Putting it into Action and Wrap Up

The program wrap up event will have with two sessions followed by closing remarks and a reception:

Strategic Planning for Academic Departments: Inclusive Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

Speakers:

Peter Stokes, Managing Director at Huron

Franca Nurczynski, Senior Director at Huron

President, Provost Panel: Leading Up and Across the Institution

Panelists:

Brent Chrite, President at Bentley University

Touba Ghadessi, Provost at RISD

James Herbert, President at University of New England

Marissa Kelly, President at Suffolk University

Moderators:

David Quigley, Provost and Dean of Faculties at Boston College

Elliott Visconsi, Provost and Dean of the College at the College of the Holy Cross 

All sessions are on Fridays from 12:00 P.M to 1:30 P.M. unless otherwise noted.

October 28-29 Session

Prior to the October session, participants will complete the following:

• Department Chair Competency Analysis Summary: Review the summary to understand the role, critical functions, and the managerial and leadership competencies most critical to effective department chair leadership.
• Department Chair Leadership Reflection: Evaluate yourself on the key job areas identified in the Competency Analysis Summary. Identify 1–2 areas of greatest comfort (strengths) and 1–2 areas of least comfort (development areas).
• CliftonStrengths & Working Style Assessments: Kindly review your email for detailed instructions on completing the two assessments.
• Pre-Readings:
  • “Leaders, Don’t Be Afraid to Admit Your Flaws.” Kellogg Insight, Kellogg School of Management, 1 Mar. 2023.
  • Kotter, J. P. (2001). What Leaders Really Do. Harvard Business Review, 79, 85-98.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bentley University | Lead Facilitator: Paul Tesluk, ptesluk@bentley.edu

Executive Director of TBC: Kitty Kennedy, kkennedy@boston-consortium.org

Director of Programs at TBC: Jessica Smith, jsmith@boston-consortium.org