How to Be a Successful Administrator

Abstract

Being an academic administrator, specifically a department chair, can be an exciting and rewarding role in the discipline of criminal justice/criminology. Securing and succeeding in such a position, however, can be a daunting challenge. In this context, the aim of this essay is to provide as much direct and to the point information as possible to consider before and after accepting an assignment within the university’s administrative structure. The advice given is intended to be suggestive—points to weigh. Still, given that they are based on extensive experience in diverse roles across diverse institutions, they are insights that might well help readers to avoid salient pitfalls that chairs of academic units commonly confront.

Keywords

academic administration department chair leadership decision-making

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