How to Chair a Department (Higher Ed Leadership Essentials)

This book was a useful primer (and even a bit of a manifesto) for the role of department chair. Recommended for midcareer faculty considering the role.

This book, presumably developed from columns written about the topic, is interesting and readable, and certainly contains some useful ideas. However, Dettmar admits he is ignorant of the published work on academic leadership and the book is almost purely anecdotal. If you are interested in a much better book on the topic, grounded in extensive rigorous empirical research and organizational theory, I'd suggest Ann Lucas' "Strengthening Departmental Leadership: A Team-Building Guide for Chairs in Colleges and Universities."

Kevin gave a training at our College and I read his book beforehand. I liked how he framed thinking about the totality of a college investment when considering a proposal for a new faculty line of hire. His advice was practical and his suggestions are easy to implement.

The book needed an editor rather badly. The author talks much about his own experience and just never gets down to the job of giving guidance that has teeth.