Department Chair Success Program

The Department Chair Success Program (CSP) is an immersive 10-week program designed to support department chairs, equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges of the job.

The Spring CSP session begins January 26, 2026. Registration ends December 12, 2025.

Essential Leadership Training for Department Chairs

Most department chairs step into leadership with little preparation. The demands of managing faculty, overseeing budgets, and balancing institutional expectations often pull chairs away from their research and well-being. Without structured support, new chairs frequently struggle with burnout, misaligned priorities, and unclear expectations.

The Department Chair Success Program (CSP) is a 10-week program designed to equip new chairs with the skills, strategies, and support they need to lead their departments effectively while maintaining their own academic success. Through a structured, cohort-based experience, chairs gain practical leadership training, a strong peer network, and expert guidance from seasoned faculty leaders. Participants leave the program feeling more confident, better prepared to advocate for faculty, and equipped to navigate the complexities of department leadership.

Why Department Chairs Need More Than Trial-and-Error Leadership

85%

of department chairs receive no leadership training before taking on the role.

56%

say their chair responsibilities are a barrier to their own research productivity.

Chairs set the tone for faculty morale, retention, and department culture—yet most lack structured support.

The Department Chair Success Program ensures chairs don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. With expert coaching and a supportive network, chairs can lead more effectively, advocate for faculty needs, and maintain their own professional growth.

Results from Our Inaugural Cohort: Early feedback shows strong impact

95%

Gained actionable strategies

97%

Confident in navigating challenges

100%

Overall satisfaction rate

What’s Included in the Department Chair Success Program

This hands-on approach ensures department chairs walk away with practical strategies they can implement immediately and includes:

Experienced Chair Coaches

Learn from faculty leaders who understand the unique challenges of department leadership.

Small Cohort Learning

Engage in peer-based learning with other department chairs facing similar challenges.

Strategic Planning Frameworks

Gain tools to set priorities, manage budgets, and align departmental goals with institutional expectations.

Time & Energy Management

Learn sustainable practices to balance chair responsibilities with research and personal well-being.

Navigating Faculty Dynamics

Develop skills to handle conflict, foster collaboration, and create an inclusive department culture.

Live Group Coaching & Discussion

Interactive sessions designed to address real-time challenges and provide actionable solutions.

Lead with Clarity: Get the Chair’s Survival Guide

Leading a department requires balance, foresight, and resilience, qualities often tested by competing demands and limited time. The Chair’s Survival Guide helps academic leaders bring structure and clarity to that complexity. Inside, you’ll find ready-to-use checklists, conversation frameworks, and meeting templates designed to make leadership more intentional and less reactive.

Use this guide to streamline communication, strengthen faculty relationships, and stay aligned with institutional goals, all while protecting your own time and focus.

Practical checklists and templates for managing time, meetings, and budgets
Conversation frameworks to strengthen faculty engagement and retention
Strategies to align departmental goals with institutional priorities
Tools to handle conflict constructively and maintain transparency

Download it now and start leading with greater confidence, clarity, and calm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Department Chair Success Program (CSP)?

CSP is open to all current or soon-to-be department chairs. We’ve found great program outcomes from both newly appointed chairs, as well as experienced chairs who are looking to collaborate with other experienced chairs to discuss how they navigate common challenges (strategic planning, collaboration, positive culture, etc).

What is the time commitment for participating?

The program is designed with busy department chairs in mind. Most participants spend 3–4 hours per week on CSP. This includes written content that can be reviewed throughout the week, a 90-minute small group weekly live meeting to dive deeper into the content for that week with an assigned group and NCFDD coach, and optional reflection activities that can be completed on their own schedule.

How is the program structured?

The Department Chair Success Program takes place over 10 weekly modules, each focusing on key skill areas that build upon each other.Your weekly module will be a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises. Participants can expect to meet weekly at the same time for a 90 minute Zoom call with their small group and expert coach. In addition to the weekly call, participants can expect to spend time reviewing readings and/ or other materials related to the theme of the week.

How are participants sorted into small groups?

We take a thoughtful approach to grouping participants for peer support and connection. Primary matching criteria include availability and leadership experience. To ensure that participants can gain insights from other institutions and to ensure that everyone can share very honest challenges, participants are never matched with other participants at their primary institution.

Who can benefit from CSP?

CSP is designed for department chairs at all stages of their leadership journey—whether they’re preparing to step into the role for the first time or have years of experience. CSP addresses the core challenges department chairs face across disciplines and institution types, including navigating faculty conflict, managing resources, leading collaborative decision-making, and aligning departmental goals with broader institutional priorities.

How do participants typically pay for CSP?

The majority of participants are fully or partially sponsored by their college, school, provost’s office, or through institutional professional development funds. Most do not pay out of pocket. If you’re considering sponsoring chairs and would like help with internal conversations, our team is happy to assist—just reach out and we’ll provide tools and guidance to support your decision-making process.

If my institution is interested in sponsoring department chairs, who should I reach out to?

You can reach out to your institution’s primary contact (listed at the top of your dashboard on your account) or our team at Institutions@ncfdd.org, and we’d be happy to help coordinate!

Related Programs

Institutional Partnership

Provide faculty at your institution with year-round access to NCFDD’s full suite of resources, including webinars, writing challenges, and private discussion forums.

Faculty Success Program

A structured, 10-week program designed to help faculty increase writing productivity, secure grants, and manage time effectively. Ideal for department chairs looking to support their faculty’s success.

Designed for:
Early Career Faculty | Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty

“The Department Chair Success Program has helped me refocus and regroup after several challenging years in this role. The peer group and group coaching have been the most valuable part of the program. No one knows the challenges chairs face better than other chairs. Having a confidential peer group for accountability was wonderful!!

I think this is a must-do program for new chairs who want to start their terms as chairs with purpose and focus. It was also a wonderful opportunity for me as a veteran chair to reflect, refocus my efforts and consider next steps in my career.”

Leigh A. Patterson, MD, MAEd
Associate Professor and Chair
ECU Brody School of Medicine