In the realm of academia, leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the future of educational institutions. From leading committees to providing guidance and mentorship, academic leaders are instrumental in fostering an environment of growth and excellence. You may recall that academic positions will vary whether you are a professor at a research institution or a primarily teaching institution. I’ve been in the realm of small liberal arts institutions for a little over three years, and this article is based on experience and observation. Results may vary!
One key aspect of leadership in academia is through active participation in committees. Committees come in different types—committees can be all-college committees, which are composed of faculty from many departments; ad hoc committees, which are temporary committees formed to complete a specific task; and department committees, typically the leadership you take on within your own academic department. Depending on the size of your institution, it generally is not hard to find yourself on a committee or two (or three). Being a committee member should involve thoughtful work where you contribute and value the contributions of others. These committees serve as platforms for decision-making, policy development, and strategic planning to ensure the institution’s goals align with its mission and vision. Most academic positions require you to participate in at least one all-college committee. This could look like an IRB committee, curriculum committee, benefits committee, and more. Ad-hoc committees don’t usually count as a committee as the committee is temporary work. In addition, in order to get tenure, most faculty must chair a major committee, which, of course, requires additional meetings with additional committees.
Leadership in academia extends far beyond just administrative roles. Leadership encompasses teaching and service as well. Effective academic leaders not only excel in their teaching responsibilities but also inspire and empower their colleagues to deliver high-quality education. In the ever-evolving world of education, faculty must work together to provide an inclusive learning environment. This can be done through professional development, encouraging innovative teaching methods, and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Depending on the size of your institution, your academic department may be very small. As an academic leader, it is important that you consider your colleagues in other departments as well. Just like students should take classes outside of their major, we, as academic leaders, should learn from our peers in different disciplines.
Leadership is also present in service. Service is another aspect that seems far more accessible to achieve at smaller institutions than at larger institutions. In terms of community service and discipline service, the relationship is inverse to the institution’s size (e.g., smaller institutions excel at local or inner community service compared to discipline service). Academic leaders actively engage with the broader community by participating in conferences, workshops, and other scholarly activities. By sharing your knowledge and expertise with peers within and outside your institution, you can advance knowledge within your field.
So, you’ve gotten this far in the article and have learned that you should be involved in all the committees, you should advise and take part in workshops and professional development, and go to conferences. Don’t forget that you are also teaching and likely developing and fostering your research agenda. All of this begs the question—when can I say no? Saying yes to things is very important in the beginning. Your goal is to show your community that you want to be there and that you want to work with others. However, much like when you were a student working on a group project, the go-getters are recognized by others and are always asked to do more and more and more. Your ability to lead depends on your knowledge and ability to work with others and is determined by the energy you can give to any particular endeavor. There will always be an ebb and flow in academia. One year, you may focus more on service but concentrate on research the following year. I will be sure to share with all of you once I figure out the magical balance of saying ‘yes’ and saying ‘no.’ Until then, Godspeed on all of your endeavors.
Beyond the PhD 