New Administrators Workshop
September 22, 2026
1855 Room in the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park Campus
The Office of Faculty Affairs is pleased to offer a one-day workshop to equip new administrators with essential knowledge and skills for their leadership roles. The workshop will cover key topics such as academic leadership, working with academic deans and chancellors, recruiting and hiring processes, handling faculty personnel matters, and resolving disputes. Additionally, participants will discuss professional behaviors, faculty retention, promotion and tenure reviews, staff evaluations, and student support services.
Workshop Highlights:
- Academic Leadership – Explore key principles of effective academic leadership.
- Working with Academic Deans & Chancellors – Learn strategies for successful collaboration with senior university administrators.
- Recruiting, Interviews, and Hiring – Gain insights into best practices for recruiting and onboarding faculty and staff.
- HRSPs (Human Resources Strategic Partners) – Understand the role of HRSPs in supporting academic units.
- The University Budget – An overview of the university budget.
- Faculty Retention – Overview of faculty recruitment strategies and long-term retention.
- Professional Behaviors & Resolving Disputes – Learn how to manage conflicts and maintain a positive professional environment.
- Student Support Services – Discuss how administrators can ensure comprehensive support for student success.
- Ideas from Experienced Associate Deans and Academic Unit Heads– Learn new ideas and strategies from experienced Penn State leaders who have served in similar roles.
This opportunity is available to new academic unit heads (department heads, division heads, school directors, and campus chief academic officers) and associate deans hired during the current academic year or last year. The invitation to register will come from Wendy Blumenthal. Participants traveling from Commonwealth Campuses are eligible for lodging reimbursement for the night of September 21st, courtesy of the Office of Faculty Affairs. Travel reimbursement should be discussed with your chancellor.
The registration deadline is forthcoming.
New Administrators Seminar
The New Administrators Seminar Series is an educational program focused on approaches to academic leadership, featuring guest speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and more. It is designed for and geared toward new Department Heads, School Directors, Associate Deans, and Directors of Academic Affairs.
New Administrators Seminar Series
FALL 2023 SEMINARS
SEMINAR I – Academic Leadership and Lessons Learned
Date: Monday, September 18, 2023, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Agenda: DOCX PDF
Kaltura Recording
SEMINAR II – Becoming a Leader and Update on the University Budget
Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Agenda: DOCX PDF
Kaltura Recording
SEMINAR III – Faculty Issues and Concerns
Date: Monday, November 13, 2023, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Agenda: DOCX PDF
Kaltura Recording