Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the lived experiences of department chairs who participated in leadership training to determine if it added value in preparing them to be effective in their role. More specifically, the study focused on department chairs who attended the Department Chair Workshop hosted by the Institute for Academic Leadership (IAL) at Florida State University (FSU). Despite often being unprepared for the role, department chairs at higher education institutions are appointed to their positions with little or no leadership training and support. The problem, therefore, is that these department chairs are not well prepared to carry out their role. University administrators do not know if the IAL Workshop better prepares department chairs for their leadership role. An interpretative phenomenology analysis (IPA) qualitative inquiry was used for the research design as it allows for the data collection of lived experiences of the department chairs regarding training in preparation for their role. This study was guided by the following research question: What are the perceptions of department chairs regarding their lived experiences of the Department Chair Workshop hosted by the IAL at FSU in preparing them for their leadership role? Multiple sources of data were collected through interviews, document analysis, and field notes. Five themes were derived from this data: background experience, skills toolbox, support from colleagues, balancing expectations of the dean and faculty, and benefits of the Department Chair Training. The findings from the study can be used to inform postsecondary institution administrators on the lived experiences of the department chairs who attend training
