The leader of the band: the pivotal role of the academic department head in the pursuit of continuous improvement and innovation in business education

College Student Journal, Sept, 2004 by Randall P. Settoon, David C. Wyld

Department faculty should serve the department, college, and university through committee membership. Further, faculty should also serve the employer community through training, consulting activities, and student projects for local businesses. Sponsoring economic development programs, publishing economic data, and facilitating new business development through new venture and incubator programs are example programs departments can develop to aid in the economic health of its service area. Additionally, these types of programs bring faculty, students, and business persons together to examine entrepreneurial experiences as a basis for curricular development and to further integrate academic studies with practical learning.

"IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING, YOU'LL END UP SOMEWHERE ELSE": STRATEGIC PLANNING

Department planning committees develop action plans that address departmental goals. The role of the committee is to continuously review and refine the mission in light of the mission of the college (as it evolves and changes) and conditions in the environment. An important component is the SWOT (i.e., strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. Although this is usually done at the college level and above, the data generated can be used as important input into the strategic planning of the department as well.

SWOT analyses will typically reveal seven major focus areas, providing key external factors and opportunities to consider. These include:

1) Support for Instruction, Support for Research, and Faculty considers strengths, weaknesses, and changing requirements.

2) Curriculum includes consideration of methods to assess student learning and development.

3) Extracurricular Activities for Students, and Student Recruitment, Retention, and Placement includes a consideration of current and future student needs, expectations, and opportunities.

4) Connections with Business considers current and future partnerships, projects, and relationships with the business community.

5) Connections with Educational Institutions includes an evaluation of the partnerships in place and ways to leverage, modify or explore new partnerships.

6) Sponsored Programs includes a review of existing programs and events sponsored by the College and the need to adapt due to key changes identified.

7) Technology and Equipment reflects the ever growing use of computer technology and the Internet in our classes.

After the analysis of the department's current status is completed, department goals should be developed. Strategic goals should be formulated that are consistent with the departmental mission and which support the strategic priorities of the college and university. These goals should guide faculty priorities and set expectations in the areas of teaching, research, and service. They should also guide the allocation of budgetary resources in support of the department's mission.

The department planning committee is responsible for developing departmental goals and benchmarks. The strategic goals of the department should align with the college's strategic priorities and address five important areas: