Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE)

Department Chairs Leadership & Executive Coaching

Continuing professional development for department chairs is critical because of chairs’ pivotal role with faculty and student success and their central role in the implementation of university policy and action.

Eight department chairs began professional coaching, provided by Leader Academic, in Fall 2023. This cohort includes department chairs from seven Colleges.

Coaching is a collaborative, action-focused process intended to support Department Chairs as they identify and implement strategies to create thriving, productive departments. Topics covered in confidential coaching sessions may include:

  • Building community
  • Strategic planning
  • Visioning
  • Managing change
  • Effective communication
  • Supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Managing difficult personalities and politics
  • Effectively supervising staff
  • Social identity related leadership challenges
  • Managing conflict
  • Leading teams that are remote or hybrid
  • Work/Life Balance - one's own, and supporting balance for your faculty members and staff

Interested Department Chairs should contact Lisa Kessler at lakessler@cpp.edu. The next application cycle begins in Spring 2024. Download the Application for Professional Academic Leadership Coaching for Department Chairs (docx). Applications require your dean’s support demonstrated by their signature on the application form.

Department Chairs Leadership and Executive Coaching Contact

Lisa A. Kessler

Lisa A. Kessler, DrPH., Emeritus

Faculty Associate, Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE)
Principal Investigator
lakessler@cpp.edu

Laureen Hom

Laureen Hom, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Political Science and Public Administration
Faculty Assessment Coordinator, Kellogg Legacy Grant, Optimizing the Lifecycle of the Professoriate: Thriving Faculty = Thriving Students

ldhom@cpp.edu