ACC 2025: Academic Chairpersons Conference The Westin Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN, United States, February 5-7, 2025

Conference website	http://www.AcademicChairpersonsConference.org
Submission link	https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=acc2025
Early Submission deadline	July 15, 2024
Abstract registration deadline	September 13, 2024
Submission deadline	September 13, 2024

Proposals are now being accepted for in-person presentation at the annual Academic Chairpersons Conference!

The annual Academic Chairpersons Conference brings together academic chairpersons, administrators and faculty from all areas of higher education to celebrate their successes, share best practices and innovative strategies, and collaborate with a network of campus leaders. The emphasis of the conference is to provide practical, usable information in a climate of open discussion and collaborative exchange.

Please visit www.AcademicChairpersonsConference.org for additional information.

 

Proposal Selection Criteria

Attendees at the Academic Chairpersons Conference want to be engaged and involved in the sessions they attend. They value discussion and the opportunity to exchange new ideas with other chairs. Impactful presentations have been made by both new and experienced chairs.

A limited number of proposals will be selected for presentation. A review committee, comprised of members of the ACC Advisory Board, selects proposals based on the following criteria: 

• Clear and concise description of the presentation and the points that will be made to chairpersons.
• Applicability to a broad audience, e.g., multiple disciplines, different institutional and department sizes.
• Evidence that the presentation will be of value to the audience, e.g., personal experience, research, knowledge of the literature.
• Practical recommendations that will be made to chairpersons.
• Appropriate scope and focus for session type selected and time allotted.
• Description of interactive activities that will be incorporated into the session and used to engage the audience. 

The selection committee reserves the right to edit abstracts and titles for the conference materials and may request a change in presentation type to fit program needs. 

 

Submission Guidelines

Proposals should include the following information:

1. Author Information: Enter the Primary Author/Presenter contact information here. Primary author/presenter curriculum vitae/resume or biographical sketch is also required. The primary author is the designated point of contact and will receive all correspondence about the conference. This person is responsible for communicating with the conference coordinators and co-presenters.
2. Additional Author information (if applicable)
3. Title of presentation: Maximum of 10 words.
4. Abstract: 25-50 words. If selected, the abstract you submit will become the basis for the session description in the conference program and on the website; therefore, we recommend that you use a direct and active writing style that explains clearly what participants will learn during your session.
5. Topics: Choose one or more of the Session Topics listed below or suggest another relevant topic.
6. Presentation Type: Choose one of the Presentation Types listed below. 
7. Audience: Please indicate the best audience for your presentation - New Chairs, Experienced Chairs or Both.
8. Supporting Document: 

• Combine multiple files, if applicable, and attach as one PDF document.
• Must include a detailed description of the session (300-500 words).
• Include the relevance of the session to chairpersons, presentation focus, recommendations that will be made for chairpersons, anticipated outcomes, how the audience will be involved, and examples of interactive activities (if proposing a workshop).
• Include the primary author/presenter curriculum vitae/resume or biographical sketch.
• In addition to the detailed description, consider uploading a proceedings paper, a PowerPoint presentation, and/or workshop handouts if you have them.

Keep in mind that your proposal may be edited until approximately 2 months prior to the conference. You may choose to refine and expand on your proposal after you submit and are accepted to present. Be sure your proposal is compelling and includes adequate information to be selected, but it is not required to be a finished product at this point. Proposals submitted without concise supporting documents are less likely to be selected.

 

Presentation Topics

Choose one or more of the following recommended session topics or suggest another relevant topic:

Department Leadership:

• Responding to Declining Enrollments
• Improving Student Retention
• Innovative Hiring Practices & Departmental Policies
• Strategic Planning & Developing the Mission
• Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Mentoring
• Orienting, Evaluating, and Retaining Part-Time and Adjunct Faculty
• Time & Budget Management
• Fundraising & Grant-Writing
• Supporting Faculty Teaching Controversial Subjects
• Transformative Leadership

Culture, Climate and Conflict:

• Mediating Interpersonal Conflict
• Developing a Culture of Accountability
• Intergroup Relations
• Working with your Dean and Upper Administration
• Fostering Positive and Productive Relationships
• Addressing Challenging Behaviors
• Legal Concerns for Department Chairs
• Navigating a Complex Campus Culture

Professional Development:

• Women Leadership in Higher Education
• Developing your Leadership Style
• Navigating the Politics of Higher Education
• Career Opportunites for Prospective, New and Experienced Chairs
• Advancing from Chair to Dean

Emerging Trends in Higher Education:

• AI for the Department Chair
• AI and your Institution
• Building Interdisciplinary Programs
• The Politicization of Higher Education
• Generating Momentum with International Students
• Supporting the Mental Health of our Faculty and Students

 

Presentation Types

A limited number of slots are available for each presentation type; reviewers will honor your selected presentation type wherever possible, although you may be asked to switch presentation type.

Interactive Workshop (90 min.)

A single or group presentation that is interactive and focuses on a solution-based approach. Participants may be involved in a variety of ways such as taking part in small-group activities, role-playing, case studies, simulations, problem solving or other hands-on instructional activities.

Best Practice Presentation (45 min.)

Typically an individual presentation. The presenter gives a 30-35 minute talk on a specific best practice or approach to a leadership issue. The talk should include a description of the problem, how the presenter approached it, and the results achieved. Then the audience is provided with 10-15 minutes of Q&A.

Lunch Roundtables (30 min.)

A presenter facilitates a discussion centered on a key topic. The roundtable discussions will take place during lunch on Thursday or Friday during the conference. Participants will grab their lunch and take it to the table with the discussion topic of their choice. This is a great opportunity for chairs who would like to have a conversation about a specific topic, share ideas, and explore solutions without a more structured, full presentation. 

 

Reviewers

ACC Advisory Board members provide the ACC conference planners with suggestions on conference topics and presenters, and serve as the proposal review committee. For links to bios, visit www.AcademicChairpersonsConference.org.

• Denise Bullock, Indiana University East
• Moreen K. Travis Carvan, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
• Katherine P. Frank, University of Wisconsin-Stout
• Kristi L. Haik, Grand Rapids Community College
• Christian K. Hansen, Eastern Washington University
• Craig Hlavac, Southern Connecticut State University
• Chris Jochum, Fort Hays State University
• Jill Allison Kern, Brown University School of Public Health
• Domenick J. Pinto, Sacred Heart University
• Stephen Pyle, Johnson & Wales University
• Mark Urtel, Indiana University Indianapolis
• Kim Williams, University of North Texas

 

Venue and Dates

The conference will be held at The Westin Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN, February 5-7, 2025.

 

Timeline

Early Submission Review

Due Date: Monday, July 15, 2024 (11:59pm EDT)

Early Notification: Thursday, August 1, 2024

 

Regular Submission Review

Due Date: EXTENDED to Friday, September 13, 2024 (11:59 EDT)

Notification by: October 4, 2024

 

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to Amber McGuire (ambermcg@iu.edu).

Please visit www.AcademicChairpersonsConference.org for additional information.