This volume comprises chapters by humanist and interdisciplinary arts
and sciences faculty who became academic deans, with reflections on how
they used their position to further the liberal arts, fulfill special
projects, and play a leadership role in shared governance on their
campuses. These chapters shed light on how these colleagues were
motivated to join the administration in public and private, large and
small institutions, how their career pathways led them there, what their
jobs entailed, what was some of the satisfaction they derived from their
work, and, in some cases, how they felt about the experience.
So You Want to be a Dean? provides a critical update to the experience
of academic leadership at American colleges and universities during the
pandemic because of the focus on leading a liberal arts faculty through
Covid-19. The core focus of the volume is on the experience of
leadership through personal reflections provided by academic leaders,
the spark that motivates them to serve their colleagues and their
university in their capacity as deans.
This volume will greatly benefit mid-career academics in all fields
working at American liberal arts colleges and universities who are
curious about possible pathways into administration for faculty and the
rewards that such career choices may hold.
