1. New Department Head Seminar September 23, 2015
Madlyn L. Hanes, Ph.D.
Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses

2. Personal Perspectives on Academic Administration
Basic Tenets
An academic administrator’s legacy is reflected in the recruitment, retention and accomplishments of the faculty
Faculty careers are developmental and multi-dimensional
Faculty excellence and institutional excellence are inextricably related
Faculty are a valuable resource; faculty are our largest investment
All faculty contribute to the vision, mission, and overall well-being of the unit, the college, the University

3. Expectations As academic administrators we …
Recruit highest quality faculty possible
Demand much of our faculty
to sustain the overall quality of teaching, research and service at the University
to steward the Penn State brand/name
Support faculty to succeed
maximizing their performance
realizing their potential
Balance the best interests of individual faculty with the best interests of the unit, the college, the University

4. Personal Perspectives
Academic administration requires…
Projecting internal competitive drive externally to work for the good of others; taking pleasure in other’s accomplishments
Listening, empathizing and demonstrating a sense of urgency in response to others’ concerns
Communicating often and in all venues
Informed and timely decision making
engaging in mutual problem solving
owning the final decision
communicating decisions and reasons for them, including delivering bad news

5. Personal Perspectives
Academic administration requires…
Serving multiple constituents
Setting priorities and sticking to them; aligning budget planning and practices accordingly
Managing details while keeping the big picture in sight
Academic administration is largely about personnel (like it or not)
At the end of the day ask yourself
Do I still have patience for people? Their issues? Needs?
Am I leading or managing or both?
Am I closer to my strategic goals?
Am I still having fun?

6. Congratulations on your new appointment!
Questions?