Why are we doing a Professional Development Series? Higher education is facing fundamental changes nationally and internationally. Changes in funding patterns, advancing technologies, rapid changes in disciplinary knowledge, expanding global connections and competition, growing numbers of alternative and for-profit providers of higher education, changing patterns of education across the life span, increasing calls for accountability, new state and Federal legislation, and more are pushing higher education to reconsider much that it has long taken for granted. Many thinkers have noted that institutions that thrive in the midst of these changes will be those who find their own distinctive pathways to excellence and distinction.
What is the Provost’s Professional Development Series? This is a comprehensive program of workshops and seminars designed to build the knowledge, skills, and common understandings needed to address the changes and significant challenges facing CSUN and to lead the university successfully to new levels of excellence and distinction.
What is the purpose of this series? The purpose is for us to (1) advance collectively in our management knowledge and skills so that we may be more effective in the administration of our areas and in support of the university, (2) develop a shared understanding of the university’s needs and issues, (3) build relationships between all parties, (4) encourage life-long learning, and (5) enhance career development.
Who should attend this series? The program is developed for associate vice presidents, deans, directors, associate deans, managers of academic resources, chairs, and faculty leaders in Academic Affairs. We recommend that all individuals move through the series together in order to create a shared experience. High attendance is vital to the success of the series.
What will we study?
Participants Will:
- work to accomplish university priorities through planning processes by working in teams.
- gain a better understanding of the choices they make and will talk more about their ability to make effective decisions
- understand expectations of them as managers and members of teams. They will act consistent with CSUN's values and priciples of professional ethics. They will communicate more effectively and develop specific managment skills.
- understand the power of the idea regardless of the title and learn the importance of honoring ability and expertise. Department boundaries yield to the greater goals of the university.