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Colorado Free Application Days & National Transfer Student Week

Colorado Free Application Days: Colorado residents and students can apply to CU Denver’s undergraduate programs for free Oct. 20–22 with code FREEAPPDAYSCO

National Transfer Student Week: All transfer applicants to CU Denver’s undergraduate programs will have their application fee waived automatically Oct. 19-23. 

Chair and Director Community, Support, and Training Program (CSAT)

CU Denver campus in the Fall.

Overview

Stepping into a campus leadership role can be simultaneously rewarding and intensely challenging. Department chairs and program directors are potent drivers of academic community.  They can transform climate, boost employee satisfaction, foster faculty development, and create meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and staff. A good leader can make the difference between an ordinary program and an extraordinary one.

Yet the path to leadership is also fraught with challenges. Historically, most colleges and universities have thrust new leaders into their roles without adequate training or development. Stellar faculty members, despite rich experiences in teaching and research, often find themselves unprepared for the dynamic demands of their new roles. The landscape of higher education grows more complex by the day, marked by rapid changes and uncertainties that make strong leadership more important than ever.

The New Chair and Director: Community, Support, and Training (C-SAT) program seeks to address these needs by equipping emerging leaders with the tools not only for leaders’ own success, but also for the wellbeing of the entire campus. Stressing transparency, trust and community building through effective communication, C-SAT seeks to cultivate the vision, empathy, and leadership skills that catalyze academic excellence and promote and inclusive culture of belonging.

About the CSAT Program

    The New Chair and Director Community, Support, and Training (C-SAT) program launched in fall of 2022 with a 12-person cohort of leaders from across CU Denver schools and colleges. Initially co-designed by Turan Kayaoglu and Lisa Keränen and supported by Aubrey Thorburn, the program sought to use nationwide best and emerging practices to build community and strengthen leadership development across campus.

     In 2026-27, the program will be led by Julien Langou and supported by Aubrey Thorburn.

     Participants are selected based on recommendations from their Deans and participate in an academic-year-long series of programming. After an opening orientation session, participants meet monthly to discuss key and emerging topics and concerns, including: 

    • Launching a Successful First Year
    • Cultivating Trust and Building Community
    • Effective Supervision and Annual Performance Review
    • Aligning with System, Campus, and College
    • Creatively Managing Conflict
    • Creating Inclusive Communities
    • Legal and Equity Matters for Leaders
    • Budgeting Basics for New Leaders
    • Self-care and Leadership Sustainability.

     This programming is supported by an online resource library and training materials, problem solving sessions, coaching opportunities, and mentorship.

    The New Chair and Director Community, Support, and Training (C-SAT) program seeks to:

    •  Develop effective, ethical, and inclusive leadership skills for new or returning unit leaders at CU Denver.
    • Equip faculty leaders with the knowledge, resources, and skills to overcome common challenges.
    • Prepare new leaders for building community, cultivating trust and transparency, promoting accountability and fairness, and communicating clearly while maintaining an equity mindset.
    • Create a supportive community of current and past campus leaders who provide mutual assistance, ideas, and problem-solving

    For access to resources and readings on leadership, please email the AVC for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development and/or the C-SAT Faculty Fellow.

    Overview 

    The New Department Chair and Director Community, Support & Training (C-SAT) program supports new department chairs and program directors as they launch their leadership roles at CU Denver. 

    Aims 

    This program seeks to: 

    • Develop effective, ethical, and inclusive leadership skills for new or returning unit leaders at CU Denver 
    • Equip faculty leaders with the knowledge, resources, and skills to overcome common challenges 
    • Prepare new leaders for building community, cultivating trust and transparency, promoting accountability and fairness, and communicating clearly while maintaining an equity mindset 
    • Create a supportive community of current and past campus leaders who provide mutual assistance, ideas, and problem solving 
    Who is this program for? 
    • New and returning chairs, program directors, and faculty unit leaders of CU Denver programs 
    • The program is limited to 15 participants 
    What is Involved? 

    Participants will: 

    • Attend a ½-day August workshop that provides foundations for leadership development Participate in eight monthly lunch meetings (a mix of in person and Zoom meetings with lunch) that provide training and timely troubleshooting
    • Meet with campus leaders and administrators
    • Schedule individual coaching and troubleshooting meetings as needed. 

    Participants who attend more than 6 sessions will receive a certificate of completion. 

    Benefits Participants Will Receive: 
    • Receive timely support and monthly professional development training 
    • Access to carefully curated resources 
    • Gain confidence through interaction with other leaders 
    • Receive monthly lunches 
    • Access 1-1 coaching or problem-solving opportunities 
    • Visit with campus and system administrators, as well as engage in conversations with current and former chairs and directors. 
    Draft Content 

    Please note that each module listed below contains clear learning objectives, readings, resources, and supplemental content. To preview a sample module, please email julien.langou@ucdenver.edu.

    Module 1: C-SAT Launch: Building Trust, Communicating Effectively, and Cultivating Community 

    August | 12:30-4:00 pm | Lunch Provided | Location TBD

    The purpose of this session is to introduce foundational principles including: 

    • Building trust through transparency
    • Practicing respectful, inclusive communication for individuals and teams
    • Ensuring accountability and fairness
    • Offering resources and assistance
    • Leading with an equity lens
    • Aligning with campus’s missions and strategic plan
    • Finding your leadership strengths
    • Servant leadership and its alternatives 
    • Knowing your roles on campus and where to get help 
    Module 2: Effective Supervision and Annual Performance Review 

    September | 12-1:15 pm | Location/format TBD 

    Guests: Panel of HR Representatives and Seasoned Department Chairs for Merit Review panel conversation on best practices 

    Module 3: Aligning with System, Campus, and College 

    October | 12-1:15 pm | Location/format TBD 

    Guests: System and Campus Leaders 

    Module 4: Creatively Managing Conflict

    November | 12-1:15 pm | Location/format TBD Guest: Ombuds and Former Chairs 

    Module 5: Legal Issues for Chairs & Working with the Ombuds and Office of Equity 

    January | 12-1:15 pm | Location and format TBD 

    Guest: Chris Puckett, Elizabeth Schrock, and Melissa Connell

    Modules 6-8 | February, March, and April of 2027 

    The cohort will determine the preferences for the topics and order of modules 6-8. The final three spring term meetings will be determined based on the preferences of the cohort. For reference, in the inaugural year, the group chose Creating a Culture of Inclusion, Budgeting Basics for Chairs, and Self-Care and Sustainability. 

    Potential spring topics include:
    • Budgeting for Chairs 
    • Recruiting and Retaining Students
    • Cultivating a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging
    • Treating Staff with the Consideration They Deserve
    • Mastering Effective Communication as a Chair 
    • Demystifying RTP
    • Navigating Challenging Interactions with Faculty, Staff, and Students
    • Exploring Available Resources for Chairs
    • Strategies for Providing Mentorship and Support to Faculty and Staff
    • Time Management for Chairs
    • Strategic Planning 101
    • Recruiting and Hiring New Faculty and Staff
    • Data Resources for Chairs
    • And/or other topics suggested by the cohort. 
    Celebration of the First Year | Lunch Provided | Location: Off campus restaurant TBD
    Credits 

    This training program was initially organized by Turan Kayaoglu and Lisa Keränen using a model from the University of Delaware and with reference to trainings provided by the Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Academic Impressions, and other university programs around the United States. 

    Abbreviated List of References for New Chairs 
    1. Bonner, Fred, Marbley, Aretha, Tuitt, Frank, et al. (2014). Black faculty in the academy: Narratives for negotiating identity and achieving career success. Routledge. 
    2. Buller, Jeffrey L. (2011). Academic leadership day by day: Small steps that lead to great success. Jossey-Bass. 
    3. Buller, Jeffrey L. (2012). The essential department chair (2nd edition). Jossey-Bass. 
    4. Buller, Jeffrey L. and Cipriano, Robert. (2015). A toolkit for department chairs. Jossey-Bass. 
    5. Cipriano, Robert. (2011). Facilitating a collegial department in higher education. Jossey-Bass. 
    6. Chu, Don. (2012). The department chair primer: Leading and managing academic departments (2nd ed). Jossey-Bass. 
    7. Chun, Edna and Evans, Alvin. (2015). The department chair as transformative diversity leader. Routledge. 
    8. Columbia University. (2019). Guide to best practices for departmental climate. Office of the Provost. 
    9. Crossman, Raymond, ed., (2022). LGBTQ leadership in higher education. Johns Hopkins University Press. 
    10. Davis, Deanna, and Cecilia Maldonado.(2015). Shattering the glass ceiling: The leadership development of African American women in higher education. Women in Leadership Journal. Online. 
    11. Dettmar, Kevin. (2022). How to chair an academic department. Johns Hopkins University Press. 
    12. Gentry, A. (2015), Helping others put out their own fires: The “stop, drop, and role” approach to conflict management. The Department Chair, 25: 3-5. 
    13. Gunsalus, C.K. (2006). The college administrator’s survival guide. Harvard University Press. 
    14. Hansen, Christian K. (2011). Time management for department chairs. Jossey-Bass. 
    15. Higgerson, Mary Lou. (2016). Communication strategies for managing conflict: A guide for academic Leaders. John Wiley & Sons. 
    16. Higgerson, Mary Lou and Joyce, Teddi A. (2007). Effective leadership communication: A guide for department chairs and deans for managing difficult situations and people. 
    17. Anker Publishing. Kezar, Adriana and Posselt, Julie, eds. (2019). Higher education administration for social justice and equity: Critical perspectives for leadership. Routledge. 
    18. Kruse, Sharon. (2021). Addressing conflict nondefensively. The Department Chair, 31: 3-4. 
    19. Kruse, Sharon. (2022). “I am the chair”: Women and department leadership in the academy. Leadership in Education, 7, https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.814581.
    20. Mack, Dwayne and Camacho, Michelle Madsen. (2012). Mentoring faculty of color: Essays on professional development and advancement in colleges and universities. McFarland & Company. 
    21. Valverde, Leonard. (2003). Leaders of color in higher education: Unrecognized triumphs in harsh institutions. Alta Mira 
    22. Vicker, Lauren A. and Royer, Harriette. (2006). The complete academic search manual: A systematic approach to successful and inclusive hiring. Stylus Press. 
    23. Wergin, Jon F. (2003). Departments that work: Building and sustaining cultures of excellence in academic programs. Anker Publishing. 
    24. Wheeler, Daniel W. et. al. (2008). The academic chair’s handbook (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
learning group

Meet the Cohorts

Please contact us for meeting dates and times!

Meet Our Current Faculty Fellow! 

A headshot of Julien Langou.

Julien Langou is Professor in the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver. In 1999, he obtained a MS in Propulsion Engineering from French Engineering School Supaéro (Toulouse) and, in 2003, a PhD in Applied Mathematics from National Polytechnique Institute of Toulouse. From 2003 to 2006, he was a Research Scientist at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) in the Department of Computer Science. He has been a faculty member at the University of Colorado Denver since Fall 2006. His research area is Numerical Linear Algebra where he designs new algorithms that are more efficient or more stable or more parallelizable. He has been particularly active in the development of publicly available and successful software libraries such as LAPACK. 

Interested in Participating?