Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Alan Harrison discusses roles and responsibilities of department heads and directors on the opening day of the orienation session.

Recently-appointed department heads and directors are attending an orientation session this week. The intensive two-day program is coordinated by the Human Resources department.

“This program helps ease the transition for new academic leaders by providing them with information and resources to assist them in their newly acquired roles,” says Shannon Hill, the Human Resources learning and development specialist.

Topics covered during the Leadership in the Academic Environment program include roles and responsibilities, legal and legislative issues, staff and human resources management and student issues. A presentation by an Office of Advancement representative has been added to the program this year.

The participants receive a resource binder that they can use throughout the year. The program is also beneficial because department heads and directors can connect with people on campus that they may need to consult in the future.

Participants can network with their colleagues during the program and also meet Alan Harrison, the university’s new provost and vice-principal (academic).

“Department heads and directors are a critical part of the academic leadership at Queen’s. In their roles, they help to support all those who work and study at the university,” says Provost Harrison.

The program began today and concludes tomorrow at the University Club.