Chairing for Success

Professional Development for New Department Chairs

The Chancellor's Office Systemwide Learning & Development is delighted to offer Chairing for Success, a customized course that provides fundamental skills and knowledge for new Department Chairs to effectively lead their department and succeed at the CSU.

Throughout the course, Chairs will develop the expertise needed to navigate this complex role, create a collegial environment, and achieve strategic department goals related to student success and academic excellence.

Course Details

Chairing for Success was developed with input from experienced CSU Chairs who shared leadership insights and practical tips for successfully running academic departments at the CSU. Classes are co-facilitated by Systemwide Learning & Development and former CSU campus Chairs.

The course has 4 virtual (Zoom) classes, plus 4 online modules that serve as pre-work for each class.

Module 1: Guiding Principles	Recognize the unique rewards and challenges of leading as a Department Chair. Gain insight into power, authority and positionality. Reflect on your personal values and how they manifest in this leadership role.
Module 2: Developing People and Your Department	Explore ways to support the people in your department by providing feedback and nurturing engagement. Examine the impact of cognitive bias on decision-making, and the value of SMART goals in achieving departmental objectives.
Module 3: Communication and Conflict Management	Develop essential communication skills to motivate and engage different audiences. Learn key techniques to manage conflicts with colleagues and students in a productive manner.
Module 4: Developing Yourself	Focus on self-awareness and practical tools to help mitigate bias. Additionally, explore best practices to take care of yourself and manage your time in this demanding role.