C-N department chairs give presentation at San Antonio conference

Four Carson-Newman University department chairs traveled to the Academic Chairperson’s Conference in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday, Feb. 7, to present their paper: “Navigating Waves of Change: A Peer-Led Chair Development Series.”

Drs. Jeremy Buckner, Christine Dalton, Kara Stooksbury, and Laura Wadlington presented their research before department chairs from across the country.

“This came about as a result of a recognized need for chair training and the implementation of our organizational model,” Stooksbury explained, noting that C-N had recently transitioned from schools to departments.

Each professor presenting is a relatively new chair and each representing a different department.

Buckner chairs the Music Department, Dalton chairs the Chemistry Department, Stooksbury chairs the History, Political Science and Sociology Department, and Wadlington chairs the Psychology Department.

“Initially, we received an ACA (Appalachian College Association) grant and attended an ACA workshop in Brevard, NC, in June 2012,” said Stooksbury. “From that experience we have developed a four-part series to both help and learn from our colleagues as we become accustomed to our new roles.”

Stooksbury identified the four topics as personality style and leadership, understanding departmental strengths and weaknesses, budgeting, and strategic planning.

A strategic planning session is scheduled for the spring and the final results of the development series will be presented at the October ACA meeting in Knoxville.