12 Management Principles for PCC Academic Leaders

Academic Deans and Department Heads play a crucial role in leading and managing their departments. Applying general management principles can significantly enhance their effectiveness and overall department performance. Here are ten key principles that can be connected to Pima Community College (PCC) institutional framework as guiding tenets:

1. VISION & STRATEGIC PLANNING: Develop a clear vision for the department that aligns with the institution’s goals. Create a strategic plan outlining objectives, action steps, and timelines to achieve the vision. Regularly review and update the plan to ensure its relevance.

PCC Connection: Aligns directly with PCC’s Strategic Plan, which outlines key goals like student success, community engagement, and workforce development. The Academic Leader’s vision is a microcosm of this larger plan.

HOW TO: Mastering Strategic Management 

Open Textbook (University of Minnesota): This comprehensive textbook covers the fundamental concepts and processes involved in strategic management, including environmental analysis, internal resource assessment, strategy formulation and implementation. It offers real-world examples and case studies.

Mastering strategic management. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. https://open.lib.umn.edu/strategicmanagement/

2. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: Foster open and transparent communication within the department. Encourage faculty and staff to share ideas, concerns, and feedback. Utilize various communication channels (meetings, emails, newsletters) to keep everyone informed and engaged.

PCC Connection: Reflects PCC’s value of transparency and its commitment to creating an inclusive environment. Open dialogue within the department ensures everyone is working towards the college’s mission of serving diverse learners.

HOW TO: Collaborate or compete?

Working together turns out to drive positive factors such as communication, productivity, trust and creativity. Here’s how to foster collaboration among institutions, faculty and students.

Zhang, K., & Goh, B. K. (2024). Collaborate or compete? Macau University of Science and Technology. Times Higher Education. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/collaborate-or-compete

3. TEAM BUILDING & COLLABORATION: Create a positive and supportive work environment that values collaboration. Encourage faculty and staff to work together on projects, share expertise, and support each other’s success. Recognize and celebrate team achievements.

PCC Connection: Fosters a sense of community, one of PCC’s core values. Collaborative teams within departments are more likely to innovate and find solutions that benefit the whole institution.

HOW TO: How High-Performing Teams Build Trust

Friedman, R. (2024, January 10). How high-performing teams build trust. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2024/01/how-high-performing-teams-build-trust

4. DECISION-MAKING & PROBLEM-SOLVING: Involve faculty and staff in decision-making processes whenever possible. Encourage diverse perspectives and open discussions. When facing challenges, utilize a systematic problem-solving approach to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.

PCC Connection: Supports PCC’s goal of data-driven decision-making. By involving faculty and staff, academic leaders tap into the collective wisdom that exists within the college, leading to better outcomes.

HOW TO: How to Make Great Decisions, Quickly

Learning to make good decisions without hesitation and procrastination is a capability that can set you apart from your peers. While others vacillate on tricky choices, your team could be hitting deadlines and producing the type of results that deliver true value.

Klein, G. (2022, March 23). How to make great decisions, quickly. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/03/how-to-make-great-decisions-quickly

5. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Effectively manage the department’s financial, human, and physical resources. Develop budgets, track expenditures, and seek additional funding opportunities. Allocate resources strategically to support teaching, learning, and service activities.

PCC Connection: Directly impacts PCC’s financial sustainability and its ability to provide affordable education. Effective resource allocation ensures that the department contributes to the college’s overall fiscal health.

HOW TO: Resource Management for Colleges and Universities

Decision-making in the area of academic resources (AR)–the application of money, human resources, and physical resources to the furtherance of academic goals.

Massy, W. F. (2020). Resource Management for Colleges and Universities. Johns Hopkins University Press.

6. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: Establish clear expectations for faculty and staff performance. Provide regular feedback, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. Conduct annual performance evaluations to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. (See Faculty Evaluation Process)

PCC Connection: Aligns with PCC’s commitment to continuous improvement and its focus on student success. By setting clear expectations and providing feedback, academic leaders help faculty and staff reach their full potential, ultimately benefiting students.

HOW TO: How to Have Difficult Conversations with Employees

Lauren Landry. “How to Have Difficult Conversations with Employees.” Harvard Business School Online, 11 Aug 2023.

7. CONFLICT RESOLUTION: Address conflicts promptly and constructively. Encourage open communication and active listening. Seek win-win solutions that address the underlying issues and promote a harmonious work environment.

PCC Connection: Promotes a respectful and inclusive environment, as outlined in PCC’s values. Resolving conflicts quickly and fairly ensures a positive learning and working atmosphere for everyone.

8. CHANGE MANAGEMENT: When implementing changes, communicate the rationale clearly, involve stakeholders in the process, and address concerns openly. Provide support and resources to help faculty and staff adapt to new processes or initiatives.

PCC Connection: Supports PCC’s goal of adaptability and innovation. By managing change effectively, academic leaders help the college navigate evolving educational landscapes and meet the needs of future learners.

9. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the department. Encourage faculty and staff to seek innovative solutions, experiment with new approaches, and learn from successes and failures. Regularly assess department performance and identify areas for enhancement. (Visit MyCareer Center or Intranet for Faculty Evaluations)

PCC Connection: Embraces PCC’s commitment to excellence and its focus on student learning outcomes. A culture of continuous improvement ensures that the department is always striving to do better and provide the highest quality education possible.

10. EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Build strong relationships with other departments, external stakeholders, educational institutions, and community at large. Collaborate on projects, share resources, and advocate for the department’s interests.

PCC Connection: Reflects PCC’s role as a community anchor and its commitment to partnerships. Strong external relations help the department leverage resources, create opportunities for students, and contribute to the economic vitality of the region.

By incorporating these general management principles into their leadership style, academic Department Heads and Deans can create a thriving and successful department that excels in teaching, learning, and service.