L. Lynn Vidler, Ph.D. (they/them), is Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Professor of Spanish at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and co-directs UCCS's Higher Learning Commission Quality Initiative on Leadership Development. Additionally, Vidler is the founder and CEO of Blooming Branch Group, a leadership and performance coaching firm. They have taught foundational leadership skills for the Pikes Peak United Way, the Women's Community Leadership Initiative, the Association for Hispanic Classical Theater and the Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences. They have also provided leadership on various boards, including the Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences, the Association for Hispanic Classical Theater, the Pikes Peak Workforce Development Board, the Bee Vradenburg Foundation and the Unity Project. Vidler was previously Interim Provost and Dean of the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences at UCCS; Professor, Program Director of Spanish and Associate Dean at the United States Military Academy (West Point); and Chair and Associate Dean at the University of South Dakota.
Higher education leaders play pivotal roles in shaping its future, and this collection of essays provides practical guidance for intentionally and deliberately developing leadership capacity among deans and department chairs. The timely volume speaks to the need for responsible, collaborative, innovative, and empathetic leadership in the context of increasingly dynamic socio-political and cultural landscapes. Dr. Shaily Menon College of Arts & Sciences University of New Haven ""Developing Deans: Transforming Academic Leadership"" focuses on the intentional and deliberate development of academic leaders within higher education institutions. Under the excellent direction of L. Lynn Vidler, this volume brings together the perspectives of seasoned administrators whose essays go beyond merely explaining how to be a dean and instead advocate for proactive leadership development programs that cultivate specific skills, foster inclusive and collaborative cultures, and address systemic barriers. This collection makes a strong argument for supporting deans as they wrestle with the ever-increasing challenges facing higher education. Sharon Diane Nell Dean, School of Arts and Humanities St. Edward's University ""Developing Deans"" is both timely and essential to the development of future decanal leadership. Having served as president of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, I have had the privilege of working closely with many of the contributors to this volume. Their collective expertise, insight, and commitment to higher education are evident throughout. Each essay not only illuminates the pathways to effective deanship but also offers practical strategies grounded in lived experience. It is an invaluable resource for developing the next generation of academic leaders. Dr. Leslie Cornick Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs California State University, Chico