Routledge The Intentional Dean: A Guide to the Academic Deanship

Based on faculty leadership and administrative experiences, The Intentional Dean explores the reasons to pursue a deanship and how to successfully attain a position as an academic dean. Additionally, this accessible guide provides understanding of key activities and responsibilities of the deanship, such as setting positive agendas, budgeting and budget reductions, merit pay determination, and effectively attending to disciplinary issues. Stressing bold action, support for curriculum diversity, and the importance of protecting due process, this book helps prospective and current deans take deliberate steps toward making a positive difference in the lives of students. Unique in the manner in which it defends both faculty rights and important administrative prerogatives, The Intentional Dean effectively demonstrates how deans can play a key role in bettering their college, the university, and the communities they serve. Review "Dr. Alessio has written an honest and accurate portrayal of what it means to be in academic leadership at the Dean level. This work blends relevant scholarship and real-world experience so that anyone thinking about this important role will have a better idea of what is required and what is needed to be an effective Dean, including the need to weigh ethics and morality (and economic realities) while working in a hierarchical structure."--Warren Sandmann, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, William Paterson University "This book is a useful primer, written in a folksy style, that provides interesting insights into the role of a dean for those thinking about moving in that direction."--Jim Grabowska, President, The Inter Faculty Organization "This is a rich resource both for deans and for those considering becoming a dean. The Intentional Dean is full of advice and cautions garnered honorably in years of academic administration. Read together, these chapters provide a much needed answer to the dean’s quandary: how to accomplish transformative change while making the trains run on time."--Karen Ryan, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Stetson University About the Author John C. Alessio is a Professor Emeritus in Sociology and has served as an academic dean at two universities during his career.