Department Chairs and Heads
Department Chairs and Heads
Resources for Department Chairs and Heads
Department Chair Handbook
This serves as a resource for department chairs and heads by providing information and insights on most of the tasks needed for leading a department.
The following additional resources have been compiled for Department Chairs and Heads.Additional Resources
Useful Links at Rowan for Chairs and Heads
- AFT Local Agreements
- Assessment
- IRT Strategic Analytics with links to Common Dashboards
- Chairs Council Google drive (access restricted to chairs/heads)
- 2024 New Chairs Workshop PPT Presentation (must sign in with Rowan credentials to view)
- Professional Development for T&R Committee Chairs and Members (College and Department) (52:10) (10/24/25)
External Resources for Chairs and Heads
- Chronicle of Higher Education, “Navigating the Role of Department Chair” article and video series: provides links to a 2021 video series by on a series of challenges that typically confront department chairs.
- Chronicle of Higher Education, “Leading from the Middle: Insight and Advice for Department Chairs” (2022): This 30-page document is a 2022 compilation of several articles on common topics for department chairs.
- “Transition Tips for New Chairs” document by George Washington University: summarizes strategies for new department chairs to assist them in their transition to the new job.
- “Improving Department Climate” webpage by Columbia University: based on research findings at Columbia University, provides a wide ranging discussion on and a toolkit for generating a positive department climate.
For more on resources for department chairs and heads, please contact Zachary Christman, Chair of Chairs Council, at christmanz@rowan.edu
Updated 7/23/26