Learning to Lead: A Handbook for Postsecondary Administrators (Ace/Praeger Series on Higher Education) - Hardcover

Davis, James R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1573564974 ISBN 13: 9781573564977

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003

Synopsis

This is a book about leadership for college and university administrators, written by a professor of higher education who has also had a long administrative career. As Dr. Davis explains in the preface, leadership has been recognized recently as an activity that not only is associated with formal leadership roles, but also can bubble up in various places within the organization. Given that understanding, the author has written this book for a broadly defined audience of higher education administrators, including presidents, provosts, deans, and department chairs, as well as myriad administrators who work in student affairs, athletics, finance, admissions, funded research, development, and alumni relations, for example. The book also addresses the needs of those who facilitate leadership workshops, serve as mentors to potential leaders, and teach courses on higher education leadership and administration. While presenting all sides of key issues, the author calls for the reader to define his or her own position through a series of provocative questions in Reflection sections scattered throughout each chapter. Thus the book invites interaction and teaches administrators not what to think about leadership, but how to think about it.

This is a book about leadership for college and university administrators, written by a professor of higher education who has also had a long administrative career. As Dr. Davis explains in the preface, leadership has been recognized recently as an activity that not only is associated with formal leadership roles, but also can bubble up in various places within the organization. Given that understanding, the author has written this book for a broadly defined audience of higher education administrators, including presidents, provosts, deans, and department chairs, as well as myriad administrators who work in student affairs, athletics, finance, admissions, funded research, development, and alumni relations, for example. The book also addresses the needs of those who facilitate leadership workshops, serve as mentors to potential leaders, and teach courses on higher education leadership and administration. While presenting all sides of key issues, the author calls for the reader to define his or her own position through a series of provocative questions in Reflection sections scattered throughout each chapter. Thus the book invites interaction and teaches administrators not what to think about leadership, but how to think about it.

A directory of selected resources helps readers expand their learning through professional associations; key journals, magazines, and newspapers; and useful Web sites dedicated to postsecondary education. Notes at the end of each of the ten chapters list critical texts for further reading on the book's concepts, theories, and models. Valuable summaries of the best works on leadership and administration drawn from both higher education and business literature make this book an indispensable desk reference for the busy administrator. It may also soon be regarded as the best text available for leadership training for college and university administrators.

About this title

About the Author

JAMES R. DAVIS is Dean, University College, at the University of Denver, where he was formerly Professor of Higher Education and Adult Studies. He also has held various administrative posts at the university, including assistant to the provost, director of the School of Education, and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. Early in his career he served as academic dean at Wilberforce University. He holds degrees from Oberlin College and Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University. Jim is the author of two other books in the ACE/Oryx Higher Education Series: Better Teaching, More Learning and Interdisciplinary Courses and Team Teaching. He also leads periodic workshops and provides consulting and facilitation.

Review

While exploring critical skills such as managing people, resolving conflict, and making rational (and legal) decisions, this book calls for the reader to define his or her own position through a series of provocative reflection questions in each chapter. (Presidency)

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1573564974
• ISBN 13: 9781573564977
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272