For many years, mine was a happy and fairly typical trajectory of an American academic: Ph.D. in political science, tenure-track position at a public university, tenured full professor at age 38. I was fortunate to be named director of Miami University’s international studies program early in my journey. That opportunity opened myriad professional and leadership development opportunities, many of them dedicated to women leaders.
I early on experienced the observation, perhaps even the epiphany, that has grounded my leadership development work ever since: most faculty in American higher education work in a culture that disrespects and even demeans leaders and the leadership. The “us vs. them” culture that characterizes too many faculty-administrative relationships discourages many promising faculty from pursuing leadership positions. The accusation that one has gone to the “dark side” or is “playing for the other team” dissuades many, like me, who imagine they have a lot to offer in academic administration.
After 19 years at Miami University, I took my dream job as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New England, on the beautiful coast of Maine (you’ll find echoes of it on my book’s cover). Over the next eight years, I juggled the responsibilities of raising teenagers and running a college. Most of my lived leadership experience comes from these years at UNE, working for visionary and demanding senior leaders.
It was during this time that I became involved with the Council on Colleges of Arts and Sciences, the national association serving deans and associate deans of liberal arts schools. I volunteered to facilitate leadership workshops for department chairs and discovered my love for the work. Training others in leadership and problem solving served me in multiple ways: allowed me to give back, gave me an opportunity to use my teaching skills, introduced me to leaders from all over the world, and exposed me to the problems and successes of multiple institutions. I invariably learned as much as I taught.
My CCAS experience sparked my interest in developing myself as a leadership program provider. I reached out to Academic Impressions, a Denver-based company that builds professional development programs for higher ed. I was fortunate that AI was willing to give me the opportunity to test my growing skills as a program leader. Up until that point, all of my experience as a participant in or provider of professional development workshops had been in the non-profit space. The facilitators typically donated their services or paid very little. The “hit and miss” quality of such programs was perhaps predictable. Academic Impressions showed me that professional development could be delivered by a non-profit able to set and maintain scrupulously high standards.
COVID-19 and some serious health issues in my family coincided with my return to the faculty in January 2020. Although I was secure in my decision to step down from my deanship, I was less sure about what I wanted to do next. I was back in the classroom (though too much of it virtual) and even took on the role as associate provost for student success. These jobs were fully in my wheelhouse, what I’d practiced and honed over nearly 30 years.
I doubt I’ll ever know how much COVID or cancer or aging or the newfound realization of how short life is played a role in my decision. But in September 2020 I joined the Great Resignation and retired from the University of New England, my steady paycheck and my family’s benefits. That same day I launched Hey University.
I made the leap because working with aspirant and active academic leaders is so rewarding. And more – these individuals are in desperate need of support and training. Too many are chosen because they’ve excelled as teacher-scholars and are assumed to be proficient in leadership. And most take the job without any training or even a proper job description. As one who found herself in that position many times, I feel passionate about helping them.
Hey U! I hope you will reach out to me to discuss the leadership development opportunities for yourself or your team.