Kevin Dettmar is W.M. Keck professor of English and director of the Humanities Studio at Pomona College. His latest book, published in September 2022, is How to Chair a Department. He also writes The Chronicle’s Ask the Chair advice column. More information about his work with chairs is available at his website, kdettmar.com. Send your questions on any aspect of becoming or serving as chair to his email or Facebook.
Stories by This Author
Advice
What to do when half of the department loves a day of brainstorming together, and the other half hates it.
Advice
A department head seeks advice on collaborating with a senior leader who doesn’t play well with others.
Advice
A new assistant professor with an eye on administration asks how to get ready for leadership posts down the road.
Advice
How to balance your sense of obligation to your department with what you really want out of your career.
Advice
A new department head wonders if your scholarly reputation suffers merely by accepting that leadership role.
Advice
Being a department head involves difficult and often-isolating work, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Advice
You can lead faculty members to service, but you can’t make them do it — or do it well.
Advice
What to expect when you seek a chair’s position in a national search.
Advice
What to do when no one in the department is stepping up to replace you as chair.
Advice
Leading through loss means being sensitive to the needs around you and stepping up to meet them.