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Because of the void in literature that relates to leadership in our university´s Journalism and Mass Communications departments, the author found there was a need for research that illuminates the challenges of managing academic departments specific to Journalism and Mass Communications, as well as those in other underrepresented areas. This study therefore addressed those issues and discussed the extent to which chairpersons of those academic departments believe they are prepared to lead effectively. The results of the study can be used to develop guidelines for comprehensive, mandatory training for those who aspire to chair departments, as well as those who are already leading departments, so that the next generation of department heads will not have to learn on the job through trial and error. Rather, the well-trained chairperson should be successfully prepared to pick up where the predecessor left off: buried in paper, drowning in meetings, and overwhelmed by deadlines; but with a clarity of purpose, knowledge of policies, affinity for troubleshooting, and ability to lead by example.

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Andrea Wright Dilworth, PhD: Earned an M.A. from the Missouri School of Journalism and landed her first job at U.S. News & World Report in Washington, D.C. She is an Assistant Professor of Mass Communications at Jackson State University (Miss.), where she earned a doctorate in Educational Administration. She and her husband Melvin have 3 children.

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