Sociologist as Dean and Dean as Sociologist

• Published in: The American sociologist Vol. 39; no. 2/3; pp. 110 - 113
• Main Author: Kiger, Gary
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 01.09.2008; Springer US; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Academic Careers; Administrators; College Faculty; College students; Committee meetings; Complaining; Deans; Decision making; Egalitarianism; Group Dynamics; Higher Education; Identity; Management; Organizational culture; Organizational structure; Political identity; Social identity; Social psychology; Social Sciences; Social Scientists; Socialization; Sociologists; Sociology; Universities; University administration; Identity; Socialization; Higher education administration; Sociologist
• ISSN: 0003-1232; 1936-4784
• DOI: 10.1007/s12108-008-9041-2

This article highlights contrasts between the identity and values of sociology faculty members versus the identity and values of college administrators. Some of these contrasts include: questioning authority and speaking truth to power versus being in a position of authority and engaging in political compromise; taking a critical, reflective, and independent stance as a scholar versus a dean taking a stance of positive attitude and setting direction in the organization; and acting in an egalitarian and democratic fashion versus acting in a discriminating manner and making executive decisions. This article also explores the ways in which being a sociologist can inform a dean's understanding of the structure and organizational life of the college and the group dynamics among faculty, students, administrators, and other constituents.