Employees attending a workshop

Leadership Development for New Department Chairs/Heads

This interactive, in-person experience is delivered in five half-day modules over one week. This program was designed by the Office of the Provost and Human Resources to provide new department chairs and heads  with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to build critical competencies to effectively lead at the U of A. This  program also helps participants build connections with other leaders across campus. The first cohort will be held in July 2026 as a pilot and will be by invitation only. For more information and to participate in future cohorts, contact Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Anna Zajicek at azajicek@uark.edu. 

Date: July 13 -17, 2026

Time: 8 a.m. - Noon

Location: Mullins Library, Room 453

Overall Learning Objectives

By the end of the program, department chairs/heads will be able to:

  1. Articulate their purpose as a department chair/head at the U of A.
  2. Recognize and adapt their leadership style to drive results.
  3. Improve the faculty experience by being an effective leader of individuals and teams.
  4. Explore leading with a strategic mindset at the U of A.

Leadership Modules

Each day will focus on a different module that encompasses the following topics: Leading at the U of A, Leading Self, Leading Individuals, Leading Teams, and Leading Strategically. More information about each module, including more detailed learning objectives, is provided below.

This module explores what it means to be a department head/chair at the U of A. After completing this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Articulate their purpose and posture as a department head/chair at the U of A.
  2. Tie their role as a leader in connecting their department to the mission and priorities of the university.
  3. Identify good stewardship practices in their role as a department head/chair.
  4. Gain insight form UA leaders on leading faculty at the U of A.

This module helps attendees discover who they are as a leader. After completing this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify their hurdles as department heads/chairs.
  2. Shift their mindset from peer to department head/chair.
  3. Differentiate between leadership approaches.
  4. Recognize and practice four aspects of emotional intelligence.
  5. Write actionable core values.
  6. Make more thoughtful decisions.

 This module shows department heads/chairs how to effecitvely lead individual team members. After completing this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Foster relationships with communication and trust-building.
  2. Identify and mitigate errors in decision making.
  3. Incorporate coaching techniques into their leadership.
  4. Provide meaningful and frequent feedback to faculty.
  5. Delegate effectively.
  6. Conduct new hire and stay interviews.

This module discusses how to lead a team of faculty members. After completing this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe their role as a department head/chair throughout the employee life cycle.
  2. Define and recognize the four stages of team development.
  3. Manage conflict with awareness.
  4. Practice managerial courage.
  5. Foster a culture of engagement.

This module delves into leading with a strategic mindset. After completing this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Recognize generational differences in their team.
  2. Detail the four levels of strategic leadership.
  3. Align mission, vision, strategy and tactics.
  4. Practice successful change management.
  5. Recognize strategic leadership.