The CC Chairs Leadership Development Program is designed to create a community of support to promote the growth and ongoing development of chairs . The roles and responsibilities of a department chair are complex and multifaceted. Responsibilities include mentoring colleagues, managing budgets, overseeing personnel matters, managing curriculum, interpreting policy, advocating for the department or program, and representing the department or program to external stakeholders.  The skills needed to engage in this role include excellent communication skills, conflict management skills, creativity, organization, and vision. Given the huge undertaking that is being the chair or director and the fact that most faculty have not engaged in formal training for the role, it is imperative that CC chairs have ongoing support for their work.  

This program is offered to all chairs each academic year.  It is designed to meet the professional needs of chairs participating in the program in any given year. There are multiple session formats and topics, ranging from discussions about the topic of focus, asking each other questions about approaches and strategies, and supporting one another in leadership development. Topics may include:

• Getting the Most out of Leadership Coaching
• Forming Informal Chair Communities
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Departmental Climate, Conflict, Collaborations
• Mentoring Colleagues
• Antiracism & DEI
• Effective Meetings
• Establishing Goals and Manage Projects
• External Reviews