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[anonrightnow]

I posted this under Job Seeking Experiences, but am trying to cover all the bases....

I did a search and found questions/responses about applying to one's alma mater as an assistant professor in the department, but none about applying to be the chair.

I just saw an opening for the chair position at my alma mater and I am so excited!  I would love to be the chair of this particular dept.  It is at the institution where I received my undergraduate degree and it's been approximately fifteen years since I graduated.  I haven't really kept in contact with the faculty as I've been working and pursuing graduate degrees.  There would be one faculty member there from when I attended, but I don't really feel comfortable calling her, because I haven't really talked to her since I left.  I believe she would remember me in a positive light.

So, I am going to apply, my question is, when an ad says administrative experience, what exactly does that mean to you (sage members)?  I know what I think it means, which is:  committee work, leadership positions on said committee work, personnel supervision, curriculum work/orgnization thereof.  I just don't want to screw this up.  I have never been chair of a dept., but I have done all of the above in some capacity.

Thanks for any advice.  I plan on mentioning my connection to the university in the last paragraph of the application letter......see, I've learned so much from these boards!

Of course, I could end up at the bottom of the application pile, but I gotta try!!

Any advice on structuring a letter in which one is applying for chair would be appreciated.

I'm going to post this under the "chair/administrative" section too.

[minor_t]

Administrative experience usually means experience in an administrative position, and department chair is probably what they're looking for. 

However, if you want the position, go ahead and apply.  Without an administrative title on your CV, you will need to emphasize your experience.  I suggest you write a strong cover letter describing your administrative responsibilities and "head of" positions, i.e. head of a committee/program/project, and especially any changes that arose from your chairship.  For example, if you chaired a committee, did it result in a new policy?  If you were in charge of a grant project, did you hire or fire?  How many people reported to you?  How big was the budget you managed?  Did you develop a new program?  If so, how many students are currently enrolled?

Good luck.