The resources on this page are intended to support Department Chairs in their work. To suggest additional content or resources, please contact Assistant Vice Provost Leesa Beck at leesa@ucsb.edu.

 

Leading a Department in Times of Change (Thursday, October 30, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm, Annenberg Room SSMS 4315)
The functioning of a department depends on its ability to collaborate towards a shared mission and vision. The chair is a key leader in establishing the course and ensuring collaboration among faculty. This can be particularly challenging in uncharted waters when resources are scarce. This session will focus on bringing out your natural leadership talents to ensure resilience. We will hear what others have done to successfully establish a positive departmental culture, and promote belonging, retention, and functionality. We will also discuss some of the nuts and bolts of good meeting facilitation and change management. Register using this Google Form.

Academic Personnel: Unit 18 Reviews (Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 2:00-4:00pm, Zoom)
This session will provide an overview of the various Unit 18 evaluations for which departments are responsible, including both pre-six and Continuing. The review criteria will be explained, and there will also be time for questions. Register at https://ap.ucsb.edu/~staff.training.registration/ (scroll down to “Chair Workshops and Events”).

Crucial Conversations® Workshop (Thursday and Friday, December 4-5, 2025, all day)
Crucial Conversations is an intensive research-based conflict management program. The course provides a basic understanding of the psychology of conflict and specific skills to prevent, defuse, and resolve conflict. Through readings, videos, discussion, and hands-on practice, participants apply these skills to real problems. Even experienced leaders have found this to be a valuable approach to addressing interpersonal problems, increasing their effectiveness in resolving situations.

The regular cost of the course is over $1500 per person, but thanks to a campus grant, it is currently being offered free of charge to both faculty and staff. Learn more and register here.

Navigating Challenging Faculty Personnel Issues and Potential Threats (Thursday, January 15, 2026, 12:00-1:00pm, Annenberg Room SSMS 4315)
Academics are exceptionally committed and passionate about their work. Scholarly differences can be exacerbated by differences in communication styles. The pressure to publish, teaching loads, and personal stressors can also result in imbalanced workloads and interpersonal conflict.  Learn techniques for defusing conflict and having difficult conversations. We will also discuss external resources to help address serious issues, including Threat Management and Abusive Conduct.  Registration link coming soon!

Introduction to Managing Staff (Thursday, February 12, 2026, 12:00-1:00pm, Annenberg Room SSMS 4315)
Academics depend on the staff to keep things running. When positions are filled and morale is high, the operation can be seamless. Absences, mistakes, misconduct, and interpersonal conflict can take a department’s precious time and resources. At this session, we will provide tips on hiring, setting expectations, evaluating, and discipline, within the context of HR policy, so that you can get back to doing your highest and best work.  Registration link coming soon!
 

The Chairs Community of Practice (CoP) fosters connection and collaboration among Department Chairs by offering an informal, supportive forum for current and incoming Chairs to share their experiences, expertise, practices, ideas, challenges, and solutions. Quarterly luncheons and receptions give Chairs the opportunity to connect with peers, learn about emerging issues and initiatives, and discuss topics of common interest. To suggest topics for future CoP events, please contact Assistant Vice Chancellor Leesa Beck at leesa@ucsb.edu.

Upcoming Events

Chairs’ Community of Practice Fall Luncheon: Campus Budget (Friday, November 14, 2025, 12:00pm-1:30pm, The Club)
Interim Vice Chancellor and CFO Kerry Bierman will join us at our Fall Luncheon to discuss the campus budget, future projections, the state and federal landscape, as well as budget modeling and proactive planning. To RSVP, email Assistant Vice Provost Leesa Beck at leesa@ucsb.edu.

To allow Chairs to ask questions and share ideas with one another, all Chairs have access to a Google Space (group chat) that is accessible through your UCSB email account.

To use the group chat:

  • Log into your UCSB email in Gmail.
  • On the far left-hand side, click on the “Chat” option. This will take you to the chat screen.
  • On the bottom left of the chat screen, you will see a list of “Spaces” that you are a part of.  Select the “Chairs Community of Practice” Space to chat with your fellow chairs.

If you have questions or prefer not to be included in the group chat, please email Assistant Vice Chancellor Leesa Beck at leesa@ucsb.edu.