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[zharkov]

I am looking for suggestions and experiences for training programs for deans, chairs, and prospective academic administrations in general.  For example, I have seen the ads from Harvard and some other schools about their summer programs for new administrators.  A dean I once worked with told me he made the move from faculty after taking some training courses or workshops put on by the "deans' association" (not the real name, but some professional group of deans and dean wannabees).

Just to clarify, I am looking for suggestions of programs targeted at mid-career faculty who are making or want to make the move to administration, but not M.Ed. programs, say, for early-career professionals.

Thanks, Z

[case_insensitive]

i think it's all about people skills. wherever can they learn those?

[engineer_adrift]

There is a fellows program run by ACE that is worth checking out.  I had a friend go through it and she has done very well since then.

[london1]

I really like the workshops for new chairs and deans (new to administration, but NOT new to academe) offered by the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences.

http://www.ccas.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3305

[zharkov]

i think it's all about people skills. wherever can they learn those?

CI, thanks for the suggestion.  I recall that NTL Institute has a program for "middle managers" which would include -- in academia -- deans and chairs.

And thanks to the other posters who have responded to my question.

Z

[neniaf]

AACSB (the accrediting body for business schools) has a program for new business school deans twice a year.

[cbtorsney]

Last summer I attended the Peabody Institute for Higher Education Management at Vanderbilt.  Topics included development, challenges facing higher education, personnel management, etc.  Attendees -- there were about 15 of us --represented two-year, four-year, and comprehensive universities.  Guest lecturers were high profile experts in the field.  In two words, "Excellent experience."  I recommend it highly and suggest that anyone interested in jumping from the faculty to administration or anyone wanting to ascend the administrative ladder drop the director, Timothy Caboni, a message. 

[time4somethingnew]

If it's not too late to add to this, I have a few recommendations:

1. If you're female, the HERS Institute at Bryn Mawr
2. I second the recommendation of the CCAS seminar, but it's really for new deans rather than prospective ones
3. Harvard has a couple of summer institutes for prospective academic administrators
4. Again if you're female, the ACE Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE) has some short-term seminars that are helpful
5. ACE Fellows program (deadline is in November, but your institution has to make a big investment in you and not all are willing)
6. Be a regular reader of the Chronicle, Inside Higher Education, Change, etc
7. Have you served as a department chair? I have yet to meet a good dean who didn't come from a chairship at some point.

[aandsdean]

I really like the workshops for new chairs and deans (new to administration, but NOT new to academe) offered by the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences.

http://www.ccas.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3305

I absolutely second this.  They also have sessions at their annual conference for prospective deans.  My associate dean (who's brilliant and massively helpful) is doing one this year, and all I fear is that one night I'll wake up dead and he'll have my nice office chair.

AAC&U also has some good resources.  But I would seriously recommend attending the CCAS conference (this year it's in November in Chicago) and checking it out there.  You can learn a lot and make some good contacts.

Yep, it's mainly people skills.