Department Chair

Christopher J. Jochum currently serves as the Chair of the Teacher Education Department at Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS) where he leads a large teacher preparation program with over 1,000 students. As a former public-school teacher with 15 years of experience working in higher education, Dr. Jochum has worked with his colleagues to create new programs and policies designed to increase student engagement, retention and success.

Whether you are thinking about becoming a department chair, stepping into the role, have been in the role for some time, or are a key supporter/cheerleader for a department chair, Christopher Jochum’s The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership should be added to the top of your reading list. Jochum’s friendly and accessible writing style reads like coffee with a close friend and gives the hard work of chairing a fresh feel.

• ForewordPrefaceChapter 1: Becoming a Department ChairChapter 2: People Are Your BusinessChapter 3: It’s Not All About YouChapter 4: Leadership Requires CourageChapter 5: Culture MattersChapter 6: The Culture You InheritChapter 7: The Culture You CreateChapter 8: Conflict PreparationChapter 9: Conflict Application Chapter 10: Conflict ScenariosChapter 11: Crisis LeadershipChapter 12: The Importance of Hiring: Part IChapter 13: The Importance of Hiring: Part IIChapter 14: Student LeadershipChapter 15: Mentoring and Moving OnConclusion