1. Navigating the Department Chair Position: Is It Different for Females? Jennifer Faison-Hodge, Capital University Doris Screws, Alabama State University AAHPERD April 2, 2009 Tampa, Florida

2. Rationale for the Roundtable  Few females are in department chair/ leadership positions in higher education  Female department chairs are faced with additional challenges during their tenure as chairs when compared to their male counterparts  Department chairs, particular female department chairs, do not have an opportunity for networking, & open & honest discourse with other department chairs, faculty, & administrators

3. Objectives of the Roundtable  Discuss the pros and cons of being a department chair  Discuss the roles and responsibilities of department chairs  Discuss how you & others will measure your success as a department chair  Discuss questions you should ask yourself before you accept the department chair position

4. List the Pros of Being a Department Chair

5. List the Cons of Being a Department Chair

6. Discuss the roles & responsibilities of a department chair  Personnel  Curriculum  Management Departmental Financial Facilities Data  Student  Others

7. Discuss how you & others will “measure” your success as a department chair

8. Questions to ask yourself before you accept the department chair position  Why do I really want to be chair of this department?  Do I have the support of the faculty in my department?  Do I understand my role & responsibilities for this position?  Do I understand the compensation for this position?  Do I have supportive administration at my university?  Do I have support staff that will make my job easier?  Do I have a supportive family structure?  How long is the term of the chair position?  How will I be evaluated as the chair?  Where am I in the tenure and promotion process of my professional career?

9. Final Thoughts  Other points once you accept the position:  Delegate & set deadlines for assignments  Keep good records & hard or electronic copies of everything  Put important dates on calendars for the entire academic year  Annual report due dates; open house dates; committee dates;  Budget due dates; advising dates; bulletin copy revision due dates;  Time Scheduling due dates; textbook request dates  Birthdays, important holidays, etc.  Take time to “know” your support staff, full-time & part-time faculty  Read all the details of your minutes, especially from the dean  Set the departmental meeting dates for the entire semester  Read everything before you sign (your signature becomes powerful!)