Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Veterinary College Deans: AAVMC Survey of Deans in 2010

Abstract

The purposes of this Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) study was to develop a profile of deans to understand the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that current deans of schools and colleges of veterinary medicine consider important to job success and to inform the association's leadership development initiatives. Forty-two deans responded to an online leadership program needs survey, which found that knowledge, skills, and abilities related to communication, finance and budget management, negotiation, conflict management, public relations, and fundraising were recommended as the most important areas for fulfilling a deanship. Most respondents speculated that the greatest challenges for their institutions will be in the areas of faculty recruitment and retention and financing veterinary education. Reflecting on their experiences, respondents offered an abundance of advice to future deans, often citing the importance of preparation, communication, and leadership qualities as necessary for a successful and satisfying deanship. More than three-quarters of the respondents indicated moderate to high interest in an AAVMC multi-phase leadership training program to develop administrative leaders. A nearly equal number also indicated support for formal leadership training for current veterinary medical college and school deans. The study suggests leadership development topics that AAVMC could provide at existing meetings or through new programming. The study also suggests directions for individual institutions as they seek to implement leadership development activities at the local level.

Profile of Department Chairs in U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools: Demographics, Requirements for Success, and Professional Development Needs

“…The study was approved by the Office of Sponsored Programs Institutional Review Board at the University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA). For use in this study, AAL created a survey based on surveys used in previously validated studies 10 , 12 , 13 with deans and chairs in other health professions. The survey consisted of 35 items, including selected‐response questions, closed‐ended questions (select only one option), and open‐ended questions (free‐response).…”

AACP Strategy for Addressing the Professional Development Needs of Department Chairs

“…A 30-question survey was created by AAL based on previous studies conducted to develop a profile of deans at dental, 8 veterinary, 9 and osteopathic medical schools (Haden et al, unpublished data) in the United States and Europe. The initial draft was reviewed and revised by AACP staff and the FAC chair and vice chair for accuracy, clarity, completeness, and potential to yield useful information.…”

A Profile of Dental School Deans, 2014

“…A literature review was conducted to identify competency requirements in areas such as management skills, leadership skills, content knowledge, and attitudes commonly cited as important for deans of contemporary schools in the health professions 8 – 11 . Based on these findings as well as previous studies, 2 , 3 , 5 – 7 we developed a 31‐item survey consisting of a combination of selected‐response questions, closed‐ended questions (yes/no or select only one option), and open‐ended (free‐response) items. Items were organized into seven sections: 1) 12 items collected demographic information (education and training, age, gender, and race/ethnicity); 2) four items addressed to whom the deans report and their job responsibilities; 3) three items sought their opinions on job satisfaction; 4) one item assessed their perceived importance of specific knowledge areas; 5) one item assessed their level of preparation for becoming a dean in specific areas; 6) four items addressed challenges and impact of being a dean; and 7) six items asked about the deans’ experiences in ADEA faculty development programs and their leadership training needs.…”

“…In the 12 years since ADEA developed the most recent profile, many changes have taken place in dental education, as well as in broader academic and health care environments. The Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL) has conducted extensive research into the competencies associated with successful deanships, resulting in a veterinary college deans’ profile, 3 two reports on dental school deans, 2 , 5 and two unpublished profiles of deans, one in osteopathic medicine 6 and another in optometry 7 . ADEA partnered with AAL in 2014 to develop and administer the most recent ADEA deans’ profile survey.…”