Every year, the Council for Independent Colleges offers resources to support the work of its member colleges and universities, including TLU. One of those resources is the annual Workshop for Department and Division Chairs, designed to help both new and seasoned chairs learn effective leadership strategies and return home ready to initiate positive change.
For the past three years, TLU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sarah Ferguson has been invited to present at the workshop. “CIC works with Chief Academic Officers and Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs from across the country to lead this training for department and division chairs,” said Ferguson, explaining that the spring workshop typically involves trainings at four different locations around the nation. “I present the leadership content of curriculum. This is the third year I have participated as a trainer. I also lead the new Chief Academic Officer training for third and fourth year CAOs.”
Three current or incoming department chairs made the trip from TLU to Philadelphia to attend this year’s workshop along with Ferguson: Dr. Ariadne de Villa, Dr. William Hager, and Dr. Beth Woods.
“Chairs play a critical role in the success of student learning and the university,” said Ferguson. “They represent their departments but also serve as a representative of administration. In this role, their leadership is key for meeting institutional strategic goals and objectives.”
Ferguson said department chairs learn to deal with both challenges and opportunities. “Enrollment and budgets are always a challenge. They must navigate changing enrollment numbers to reduce low-enrolled courses which can hurt an already challenging budget.”
Department chairs are in a unique position in that even as they are supporting their department and its faculty members, as well as the university’s administration, they are also still actively teaching—and balancing it all presents challenges as well. This year’s workshop topics included emerging leadership, budgets, using data effectively, artificial intelligence, inclusion and belonging, difficult conversations with faculty, and legal issues around hiring and performance.
“The workshop provides content, but more importantly time for chairs to talk with other chairs from across the country at similar schools to TLU about these challenges,” said Ferguson.
“It was an honor to participate in the 2025 CIC Workshop for Department and Division Chairs in Philadelphia,” said de Villa. “The experience offered a valuable opportunity to learn and connect with colleagues from national institutions.”
Dr. de Villa went on to offer special thanks to Ferguson; Dr. Steven Vrooman, Associate Vice President for Campus Equity and Dean of Faculty; and ҹ̵, for making the experience possible.
Founded in 1956, the Council of Independent Colleges is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society.