Prepare to Chair

Gretchen Oltman is an assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She is an attorney, educator, and author.Kay Keiser is an associate professor of educational leadership and serves as chair of the educational leadership department at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Jeanne L. Surface is an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is a former K-12 superintendent.

Novice doctoral faculty members are often expected to chair dissertations with their experience as a doctoral student as their only knowledge of the process and its demands. It is an untenable position in which to place a new faculty colleague; one I know from my personal experience some twenty years ago. Drs. Oltman, Surface, and Keiser have performed a great service to the community of doctoral faculty, both novice and experienced, by writing this book and documenting the many, many factors that contribute to a positive or painful dissertation experience for both the chair and the student. It is rich in guidance from the early consideration a faculty member must give to the task of chairing a committee to the science and art of guiding both the student and dissertation committee toward a successful outcome. I will be reading it to refresh my outlook and function as a dissertation chair and will use it to assist in mentoring new doctoral faculty in the important work of the dissertation chair.

• PrefaceChapter 1- 10 Questions to Ask Before Accepting Your First Chair AssignmentWho is the student?What are the institution’s expectations of a Chair?Where can I find policies and procedures regarding the process?Who can I turn to for help?What form or format does a thesis or dissertation need to be at this university?How do I know what I don’t know? (and what if someone finds out what I don’t know??)Does the methodology and topic the student hopes to use fit your expertise?Do I have time for this?Do I want to do this?What am I bringing from my own experiences into this?Chpater 2- Being a ChairThe Importance to the StudentThe Importance to the InstitutionThe Importance to the Field of StudyThe Importance to the ChairThe Chair as LeaderTakeaway TipsChapter 3- Crafting of the CommitteeA Committee as an OrganizationStorming Toward ConsensusPerforming the DefenseTakeaway TipsChapter 4- Planning the Dissertation with the CandidateComfort the AfflictedAfflict the ComfortableCriteria to Set as Ground RulesImpact of the Method on the JourneyTakeaway TipsChpater 5- Feedback and FailureSetting Up Student/Chair CommunicationHelping Students Understand the Timing of the ProcessThe Chair’s WorkloadTears and FearsCritical Feedback or Coaching?Shouldn’t the Student Already Know This?Takeaway TipsChapter 6- The Ambiguity and Loneliness of the Graduate Student The Mental Health Crisis Among Graduate StudentsEncouraging Self-CarePractice Makes PerfectChapter 7- Common Writing IssuesGuiding Student WritingBuilding Habits with Online ToolsTighten It UpEmptying the TrashUsing Professional VoicePlagiarismThe Internet and Other Writing TemptationsSynthesisRevisionStepping Away from the PaperTakeaway TipsChapter 8- Problems, Delays, and Misunderstandings—Motivation and InsightBuilding Relationship Through Understanding StyleThreatened Intent and Emerging ConflictsLook in the MirrorData or Topic DilemmasTakeaway TipsChapter 9- Litigation Around the Dissertation and Thesis ProcessStudent/Faculty Relationship FalloutStudent Failure to Complete within a Designated TimeframeConflicts of Ownership and AuthorshipPlagiarismTakeaway TipsChapter 10- Preparing the Student for the Defense and GraduationPreparing for the Defense MeetingA Typical Committee MeetingHandling Committee QuestionsThe Power of “I Don’t Know”The DecisionCelebrating SuccessAddressing FailurePublication and Shared AuthorshipTakeaway TipsChapter 11- Avoiding Mistakes and MisstepsMisstep #1. Make everything into a battle.Misstep #2. Repeat the same conflict, repeatedly.Misstep #3. Rely on your memory.Misstep #4. Avoid issues with a pocket veto.Misstep #5. Let them guess when or if they will get feedback.Misstep #6. Be reluctant to say NO to a studentMisstep #7: Be the grammar sheriff.Misstep #8. Use jargon, vague terms, sarcasm, and conflicting directions so students have to rewrite and revise repeatedly.Misstep # 9. Ignore problems.Misstep #10. Talk down other faculty members.Misstep #11. Take advantage of students and junior faculty.Misstep #12: Become too friendly or too close to the student.Misstep #13: Assume the university will cover you, so don’t watch your back.Misstep #14: Pretend that you do not make mistakes.Steps in the Right DirectionTakeaway TipsReferencesAppendix A: Beginning Chair ChecklistAppendix B: Preproposal, Prospectus, or Research AgreementsAbout the Authors