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Jeanne P. McLean’s seminal work on the role of the academic dean as an act of “leading from the center” is apt and resonates with those of us who have experienced the job. But in the whirlwind of the experience…
Continue readingAs “Chief Academic Officers” (CAO) theological school deans provide oversight for the development of an effective curriculum. They are challenged to lead Faculty to develop a course of study that can demonstrably prepare clergy and church leaders for the current, and future,…
Continue readingTheological school deans wear many hats, and, depending on the context, some more than others: administrator, supervisor, assessor, policies and accreditation compliance officer, faculty cat-herder, student advisor, pastoral counselor and resident chaplain. One key role for the theological school dean…
Continue readingI find a lot of natural connection between the functioning of effective theological school deans and August Turak’s list of “11 Leadership Secrets You’ve Never Heard About.” Credit given for a catchy title, but these are more proven common-sense realities than “secrets.”…
Continue readingOne of the most important functions deans provide for their schools is helping to shape the culture of the school. Changing a culture is also one of the most difficult things to do. Steve Denning, author of The Leader’s Guide…
Continue readingTimes of high anxiety tend to bring out reactivity. There’s no question we’re living in anxious times, and theological schools are not exempt from the stress or threats of the era. In anxous times leaders can expect to see an…
Continue readingRecently I spoke with a seminary dean in her fourth year in office. After four years she is stepping down, but takes some pride in having hit the top end of the average tenure for faculty in that office. While…
Continue readingDeans in theological schools tend to come from the Faculty, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s a question of who is most willing to serve (or, who missed the meeting when the vote was taken!). Sometimes it’s a decision…
Continue readingDeans in theological schools face increasing demands to demonstrate educational effectiveness from accrediting agencies and constituents. For many theological schools, and for new deans, this can seem like an imposing challenge. Demonstrating educational effectiveness falls to the office of the…
Continue readingTheological school deans serve in the capacity of institutional change agents. By virtue of leading from the center, deans bring about change through vision, influence, and, by pushing against inertia. As a person who leads from the center, theological school…
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