Department chairs play a critical role in the life of the University. Through discussions, frameworks, and tools that apply to real-world challenges, our workshops aim to support and empower NYU’s department chairs. The workshops also address key issues facing new and continuing department chairs as identified by the University Faculty Affairs Council (UFAC) and school members.
Scheduled Zoom workshops
For AY2026–27, we are continuing to offer our scheduled Zoom workshop series: one for new department chairs, and one for all chairs (both new and continuing).
Workshops for new department chairs — Fall 2026
Zoom workshops for NEW department chairs will take place during the Fall 2026 semester.
As a department chair, you set the tone for your community. This session will explore practical strategies for addressing harmful behaviors—such as incivility or bullying—while fostering trust, respect, and engagement across your faculty. Learn how to create an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best work.
You’ve stepped into a new leadership role. This session will guide you through the primary responsibilities of a department chair and help you embrace your position while strategizing on how to lead your department effectively.
Struggling with how to intervene when a faculty member is being disrespectful to staff, belittling junior colleagues, or dominating faculty meetings? Received a bullying complaint you’re not sure is a policy violation or just someone being arrogant? This interactive workshop introduces a simple framework you can use immediately to address behavioral and relational challenges in your unit. We also offer a Community of Practice to deepen the learning from this workshop.
This session is facilitated by Frieda Hoffman, Director of NYU Faculty Relations.
After completing the Five Paths to Leadership® self-assessment, you’ll have the opportunity to debrief your results to gain a clearer understanding of your leadership strengths and tendencies—and learn how to adapt more effectively under pressure and during times of change.
Giving and receiving feedback is a core leadership competency. This session will equip new department chairs with tools and strategies to deliver clear, constructive, and actionable feedback that fosters growth and accountability.
Top-down leadership isn’t as effective as creating collaborative spaces where all voices are heard and work gets done. You’ll learn how to apply the Five Paths to Leadership® to create engaging, productive meetings with your peers and faculty.
Conflict is a natural part of leadership, but it can be difficult to navigate. This session introduces a practical framework for understanding conflict, explores why it’s often hard to address, and teaches the S.T.A.T.E. technique to help new chairs engage in productive, solution-focused conversations.
Workshops for all department chairs — Spring 2027
Zoom workshops for ALL department chairs will be scheduled for the Spring 2027 semester, starting in January. Dates and registration will be forthcoming.
Stepping into a department chair role requires more than a simple handoff—it calls for situational awareness and a clear view of the department’s position. This session offers a practical framework to help incoming chairs see the big picture from day one and serves as a checklist for outgoing chairs. We’ll also explore how strategic delegation can support succession planning by developing others and preparing future leaders.
Bring your Five Paths to Leadership® self-assessment results so you can discover how your leadership style shifts under stress. This interactive session will help you better understand your instinctive responses, build greater self-awareness, and lead more effectively through complexity and change.
Top-down leadership isn’t as effective as creating collaborative spaces where all voices are heard and work gets done. You’ll learn how to apply the Five Paths to Leadership® to create engaging, productive meetings with your peers and faculty.
As a department chair, you set the tone for your community. This session will explore practical strategies for addressing harmful behaviors—such as incivility or bullying—while fostering trust, respect, and engagement across your faculty. Learn how to create an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best work.
Mastering the art and science of feedback is essential for effective leadership in academia. This session introduces a proven four-step model that helps department chairs deliver clear, constructive, and actionable feedback to support growth and performance.
Gain insight into your natural approach to navigating conflict through a practical exploration of conflict management styles. This session will equip you with strategies to recognize and adapt your style to foster healthier dialogue, strengthen working relationships, and lead more constructively in moments of tension.
Even the most experienced department chairs encounter challenging faculty or staff dynamics that can disrupt morale and progress. This session offers practical strategies for addressing difficult behaviors with clarity and professionalism—while maintaining accountability, fairness, and a healthy departmental climate.
Navigating conflict as a department chair requires honesty delivered with care. In this session, you’ll explore the principles of Radical Candor—a framework that helps you challenge directly while showing genuine concern—so you can address tough issues, build trust, and lead with clarity and compassion.
You’ve learned about the Five Paths to Leadership® self-assessment. Now is your opportunity to grow your awareness of your leadership strengths. In this session, you’ll explore more of the nuances of your scores, including what happens under stress and how your scores blend in unique ways.
Effective conflict management starts with a clear plan tailored to your department’s unique dynamics. In this session, department chairs will develop a personalized conflict strategy map to proactively navigate challenges, promote collaboration, and maintain a positive working environment.
Stepping into a department chair role requires more than a simple handoff—it calls for situational awareness and a clear view of the department’s position. This session offers a practical framework to help incoming chairs see the big picture from day one and serves as a checklist for outgoing chairs. We’ll also explore how strategic delegation can support succession planning by developing others and preparing future leaders.
Leading change in higher education requires more than authority—it demands collaboration, trust, and shared ownership. This session equips department chairs with practical strategies to engage faculty and staff in the change process, ensuring that initiatives are both inclusive and sustainable. Participants will explore why collaborative leadership is essential for navigating complexity and fostering lasting impact within their departments.
REGISTRATION
All workshops are on Zoom, on Fridays from 9:30 to 11:00 am.
Fall 2026 workshops for new chairs
Sep 11, Sep 25, Oct 2, Oct 9, Nov 6, Dec 4, Dec 11
Spring 2027 workshops for
all chairs
Dates and registration will be forthcoming.
Self-paced course NEW!
For AY2026–2027 we are pleased to offer Leading as a Department Chair, an asynchronous, tailored, self-paced leadership development course for all department chairs, featuring automated prompts and just-in-time micro-resources (like the virtual coach SOFIA). This program will help you develop a deeper sense of who you are as a leader, deliver and receive feedback in a professional way, manage conflict effectively, delegate to build leadership capacity within your department, and create intentionally designed meetings to improve the quality of the overall experience.
The course, presented in partnership with Academic Impressions, runs from August 31 to December 4, 2026.
No registration needed
No action is required to sign up — all department chairs are automatically registered!
Onboarding details will arrive via email in late August.
Community of Practice NEW!
BYO Challenge! Join NYU’s new Community of Practice for Department Chairs to deepen your learning from the “Addressing Difficult Behavior” workshop and widen your circle of support. One-hour Zoom sessions provide a space for you and fellow chairs and program directors to share your questions and pain points for collaborative problem-solving, role-playing and camaraderie. Learn alongside peers and an experienced practitioner who can provide real-time feedback and guidance on issues that touch on interpersonal conflict, hard conversations, challenging group dynamics, and much more. There is no pressure to actively participate in any session.
This community of practice is facilitated by Frieda Hoffman, Director of NYU Faculty Relations.
REGISTRATION
Community of Practice for Department Chairs
Fridays — 10:00–11:00 am
Oct 23 and Nov 13
Tuesdays — 12:00–1:00 pm:
Nov 3 and Dec 1