Faculty are essential to addressing the large issues facing higher education institutions, such as increasing student diversity, budgetary challenges, and changes in course delivery methods. The challenge for academic leaders is engaging faculty on these institution-wide issues without creating an undue burden on them or imposing too much control over the agenda. Bonnie Irwin, dean, and Patricia Poulter, associate dean, of the College of Art and Humanities at Eastern Illinois University have begun working with faculty on their campus to identify issues and facilitate conversations to explore ways to address some of these larger issues.
How Leaders Shape, Signal, and Build Cultures: A Discussion Guide for Academic Leaders and Their Teams
Among the many desired traits most prized in academic leadership, the ability to shape (or reshape) institutional culture is sometimes overlooked in favor of fiscal acumen, the ability to drive
Lisa Jasinski
May 4, 2026